TWO HANDED PROCESS CHART

&
ERGONOMICS IN TEXTILE AND
APPAREL
TWO HANDED PROCESS
CHART
 INTRODUCTION

• It is a process chart in which the activities of a worker’s hands ( or

limbs) are recorded
• It is a specialized form of process chart because it shows the two
hands of the operative moving or static in relation to one another
• This will not be carried on a time scale
• Simo chart is the one which is similar to two handed process chart
carried out on a time scale
• It is also called Left and Right Hand process chart
• It is generally used for repetitive operations, when one complete cycle
of the work is to be recorded
• Recording is carried out in more detail than in normal on flow process
charts
OBJECTIVES

• To gain an intimate knowledge of the details of the job and study each
element of the job
• To balance the motions of both hands and reduce fatigue
• To establish the relationship between two different activities
• To eliminate or to reduce the unwanted motions to minimum
• To improve and to arrange the best motions in a possible sequence
 PROCEDURE
 Study the complete operation cycle few times
 Observe and record the activities of one hand at a time
 Recording should be started at a point of time that can be easily
distinguished.
The activity of picking up such work piece at the beginning of cycle of
work is a good point from which recording the movements should be
started
Care should be taken that no activity is left while recording
Combinations of process and transport should be avoided, unless
they actually occur at the same time
PROCESS CHART SYMBOLS
1. OPERATION
• An operation takes place when there is a change
in physical or chemical characteristics of an object.
• An assembly or disassembly is also an operation.
• This symbol is used for is used for the activities of
grasp, position, use, release, etc. of a tool,
component or material.
2. TRANSPORT
• This refers to the movement of an object or operator
equipment from one place to another
• When the movement takes place during an operation,
it is not called transport
• EXAMPLE: 1. Moving the material by trolley
2. Operator going to the stores to get some tool
 3. INSPECTION

• Inspection is checking an object for its quality, quantity or

identifications
• EXAMPLE: 1. Checking the diameter of a rod
2. Counting the number of products produced
• The symbol for inspection is not much used because the
hand movements when inspecting an article (holding it and
examining it visually or gauging it) may be classified as
operations
4. DELAY
• Delay occurs when an object or operator is waiting for
the next activity
• EXAMPLE: An operator waiting to get a tool in stores.
5.STORAGE
• Storage takes place when an object is stored and
protected against unauthorized removal
• EXAMPLE: Raw material in the store room
ERGONOMICS IN TEXTILE
AND APPAREL INDUSTRY
WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

• ERGON+ NOMOS= ERGONOMICS

Ergon = work
Nomos = natural law

• Ergonomics is a branch of science that aims to learn about human

abilities and limitations, and then apply this learning to improve
people’s interaction with products, systems and environment
INTRODUCTION
• Human factors and ergonomics (commonly referred as HR & E), also
known as comfort design, functional design and systems
• It is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and
systems so that they fit the people who use them
WHY IS ERGONOMICS IMPORTANT?

• To improve workspaces and environments to minimize risk of injury of

harm
• To create safe, comfortable zones for workers so as to improve the
productivity
 To achieve best practice design, ergonomists use the data and
techniques of several disciplines:

• Anthropometry: body sizes, shapes, populations and variations

• Biomechanics: muscles, levers, forces and strength
• Environmental physics: noise, light, heat, cold, radiation, vibrations,
hearing, vision, sensations
• Applied psychology: skill, learning, errors, differences
• Social psychology: groups, communication, learning, behaviours
Injuries and Illnesses Among Textile and
Apparel Workers
• 70% of Sewing Machine Operators Using Foot Controls
Report Back Pain
• 35% Report Persistent Low Back Pain
• 25% Have Suffered a Compensable Cumulative Trauma
Disorder (CTD)
• 81% of CTDs Were to the Wrist
• 14% of CTDs to the Elbow
• 5% of CTDs to the Shoulder
• 49% of Workers Experience Pain in the Neck
• Absenteeism Increases as Working Conditions Worsen
• Loss of Workers Due to Injuries or Turnover is Associated With
Working Conditions
Tasks Associated With Injuries and Illnesses
• Hand Sewing and Trimming are Stressful to All Upper Limbs
• Stitching Tasks are Associated With Pain in the Shoulders, Wrists, and
Hands
• Ironing by Hand is Associated With Elbow Pain
• Garment Assembly Tasks are Associated With CTDs of the Hands and
Wrists
• Foot Operated Sewing is Associated With Pain in the Back
Static Postures and CTDs
• Analysis Reveals That 40% of Operators at Sewing Machines
Stoop Forward > 20o Throughout the Machine Cycle
• 60% Tilt Their Heads Forward > 20o Throughout the Machine
Cycle - Why?
• Visual Demands of the Work
• Geometry of the Work Station
• Inadequate Seating
Postural Stress and Lighting
• Precise Stitching Tasks are Visually Demanding
• Thread and Fabric Often Offer Little or No Visual Contrast
• 36% of Operators Feel Lighting is Inadequate
• Surveys Found Light Levels at Less Than 60% of Recommended Levels
• Operators Lean Forward to See Their Work
Seating

• Straight Backed Wooden or Metal Chairs are Typical in the Industry

• Chairs Often Lack Cushioning
• Chairs Often Lack Adjustable Back Rests
• Chairs Often Lack Height Adjustability
Duration of Exposure
• Machine Operators Experience Cumulative Damage to the Neck and
Shoulders Over Time
• Risk for Persistent Neck and Shoulder Pain Increases With Years of
Employment as a Machine Operator
• Work for More Than Eight Years as Machine Operator Increases Risks
For Neck and Shoulder Pain
Solutions - A Comprehensive Ergonomics
Program
• Training for Supervisors and Managers
• Awareness Training for Employees
• Job Analyses and Implementation of Controls
• Worker Involvement and Participation
• Medical Management
• Recommended by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
WorkStation Redesign - Sewing Machines
• 30” Fixed TableTop Height
• Point of Operation Between 4-7” Above TableTop
• Sewing Machine Tilted 11o Toward Operator
• For Jobs of Longer Duration Sewing - Bench Mounted Arm Rests
• Adjustable Chair
• Adjustable Foot Rest With Movable Machine Control
Work Enhancements
• Foam Padded Edges to Sharp Table Edges
• Provide Cloth Upholstered Adjustable Chairs
• Angle Packing Boxes to Workers With Tilt Equipment
• Provide Anti-Fatigue Matting for Standing Workers
• Improved Lighting
• Require Rest Periods
• Job Rotations
Automated Materials Handling

• Eliminates Heavy Lifting by Operators or “Bundle Boys”

• Computer Controlled - Movement Tracked by Bar-Coded Hangers and
Series of Scanners
• Delivers Work to Queue Near Operator