Workplace ergonomics: a comparative analysis of sitting and standing workstations in Ethiopian garment manufacturing industries

Abstract

Sewing operator safety is vital in Ethiopia's clothing industry, but poor ergonomics cause long-term health risks. Despite their importance, little research exists on Ethiopian sewing operators' health. This study identified ergonomic issues in their workstations and assessed their discomfort, aiming to recommend solutions for reducing musculoskeletal problems. The study used three ergonomic tools: RULA for sitting workstations, REBA for standing ones, and CMDQ for both. Sitting workstations showed high risk (RULA score: 6.3), while standing had medium risk (REBA score: 5.95). The CMDQ results showed that sitting workstations caused high pain in the neck (9.94), lower back (8.56), and upper back (7.93). For standing workstations, the most affected areas were the right lower leg (10.56), left lower leg (9.23), foot (7.59), neck (6.84), and knee (6.07). The study concluded that standing workstations may better reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) than sitting ones and recommended control measures to minimise ergonomic risk exposure.