Good practices
Adapting working conditions
A sewing plant employing 3000 people received complaints from the employees about the work and working conditions. The movements were repetitive and caused eye strain and there was a continuous exposure to noise and vibration. Due to this, the quality of work decreased, which resulted in complaints from customers. The company decided to address the problems by improving the work environment.
Problems were identified through assessment of individual workstations and work organisation. The company also brought in an external consultant to observe the workplace and to suggest better ways of working. The employer invested in new, quieter, machinery and better lighting. Work organisation was improved to reduce the physical strain.
Not only did the absence rates decrease, precision and quality of products also increased due to the improved lighting, and worker and customer complaints went down by 70%.