Lesson 7 in Dressmaking: Practice Occupational Health and Safety

BIG IDEA

There are several hazards found in the sewing room or dress shop that can cause harm and
adverse effects to health.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1. What are the types of hazards found in the dress shop?

2. How can the hazards in the workplace be controlled?

DISCUSSION

You know that you should be extra careful when you work at home or in crossing a busy street.
Do you think of the dress shop as a dangerous place? Of course, you don't need to be nervous
about working in a dress shop. However you should be aware that accidents and illness can result
from carelessness in the shop. You should know what hazards are present and the effects that
could result from the exposure you experience. The textile sector contains many hazards and
risks like exposure to noise and handling sewing machines or equipment.

Safety doesn't just happen. It takes knowledge of safety rules and constant awareness in the
workplace. Be alert to danger as you work and know what hazards are present.

What is a hazard?
It is a potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on someone under certain conditions. It
can cause harm or adverse effects to an individual. The effects can be acute depending on how
the person comes in contact with hazardous agent in the workplace. Once the hazard is
eliminated, the effects may be reversible or irreversible.

What is a risk?
It is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience adverse health effect if
exposed to hazard.

Risks posed by health hazards can be controlled:

1. Practice good hygiene in the workplace.
2. Implement the job rotation schedules, work cycles and time maintenance procedure.
3. Use of Personal Protective Equipment to reduce the exposure of hazards.

Common Hazards Found in the Dress Shop and Control Measures

A. Falls, Slips, and Trips

1. Falls- Use only a ladder or step stool to reach high shelves. Chairs or boxes may look sturdy
but they are not balanced to hold the person safely. Falls are caused when you lose your balance
and drop to the floor.

2. Slips- It is caused by loss of balance, which in turn is caused by too little friction between a
person's foot and the walking surface.

3. Trips- This happens when your foot hits an object causing you to lose your balance and fall.
The results of slips, trips, and falls can be broken bones, strains, sprains, back or spinal injuries
and other serious injuries.

Control Measures:

1. Clean up spills right away.

2. Use mats on slippery floors.
3. Wear appropriate work shoes.
4. Provide enough storage space to avoid putting materials in aisles or walkways.
5. Provide absorbent flooring materials into entrance area.

B. Electric Shock

It is caused by contact with faulty electrical equipment that may have become "live" or damaged
power cords and switches. Electrical hazard is a condition where a worker could make electrical
contact with a conductor from which the person may sustain an injury from shock, arc or flash
bums or blast injury.

Prevention:

1. Switch off the electric sewing machines before leaving the workplace.
2. Always check the sewing machines before use.
3. Use heavy duty electrical cord. Check the cord before plugging.
4. Check all electrical outlets before leaving the workplace.
5. Have a qualified electrician to check all electrical equipment in the workplace
6. Avoid using electrical octopus-using one outlet with a number of cords.

C. Chemical Hazard

These are the chemicals used in dyeing and bleaching fabrics. These cause skin irritation and
respiratory problems. Information on chemical hazards are found in the product label and
material safety data sheet (MSDS).

D. Physical Hazard

It involves the activity that requires the use of force exerted by the sewer to lift, push, pull or
move the sewing machines. This can result in injuries to any part of the body. Improper handling
of sewing tools may cause harm if not properly handled.

Prevention:

1. If you need to lift the sewing machine, do it smoothly. Do not jerk.

2. Plan the lift before you push.

3. Keep loads as close to your body as possible.

4. If an item you want to get is too high, use a stepladder or stool to help you.

E. Ergonomic Hazards

Ergonomics is the study of people at work. It aims to reduce stress and injuries and disorders
associated with the overuse of muscles and bad posture.

F. Biological Hazard

Workers are exposed to dusts from materials such as cotton, silk, wool, and others. Exposure to
biological agents can result in allergies and respiratory disorders.

Prevention:

Use PPE in the workplace. It can reduce or prevent a worker's exposure to health hazards in the
workplace.
How to Avoid Injury When Using the Sewing Machine

Using the sewing machine saves time and produces a better quality product. However, it is a
potentially harmful equipment. Here are some guidelines for you to remember when using the
sewing machine.

1. Check electric sewing machines and their cords before using to make sure that they are fully
assembled and well maintained. Check also other adjustments and settings carefully before
commencing any sewing operation.

2. Evaluate the sewing shop. Check the ergonomics of the workplace. Find out the chairs to be
used, e.g. if the chairs are ergonomically correct in terms of their height, back support, etc.

3. Follow instructions when using sewing machines such as hi-speed or embroidery machines.

4. Be careful when feeding fabric into the machine.

5. Turn on the light. Eyestrain is the common injury in sewing, especially those performing the
fine detail work in sewing

6. Learn how to sew correctly.

7. Provide fire extinguishers in the workplace.

8. Implement hazard management in the workplace. It is the most important duty of all workers
to keep the workplace safe as possible. Here are the four SAFE steps.

SPOT the hazard

ASSESS the hazard

FIX the hazard

EVALUATE the result.

Safety Operating Precautions When Using the Sewing Machine

1. Only one person should operate the sewing machine.

2. Do not touch the sewing machine when it is being used.

3. Turn off the sewing machine when making adjustments to the sewing machine.

4. Never use the sewing machine at high speed.

5. Avoid pushing or pulling the fabric while sewing. Let the machine do the work. Use your
hands to guide the fabric without forcing it.

6. Take the take-up lever in the upper position before pulling out the fabric