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Apparel and Footwear Industry |
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The following references discuss issues of exposure for
employees who participate in a variety of activities involved with making
finished apparel and footwear, including sewing, cutting, gluing, and stitching.
This page does not include information on the hazards of weaving, synthesizing,
compounding, or in any other way producing textiles, leather, or other starting
products.
General
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Sewing and Related Procedures.
OSHA eTool.
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Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Occupations.
US Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Provides information specific to textile machine
operators, apparel workers, shoe and leather workers, upholsterers, and laundry and dry-cleaning workers.
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Career Guide to Industries (CGI).
US Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Provides information
on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry,
working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, training and
advancement, earnings and benefits, employment outlook, and lists of
organizations that can provide additional information.
- All Other Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing.
US Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau Publication EC97M-3152P, (1999, November), 1 MB
PDF, 37 pages.
The 1997 economic census for manufacturing provides in-depth information regarding the apparel manufacturing industry.
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Health and safety in the textiles industries.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Discusses major industry hazards including manual handling, working with dyes,
etc.
- Occupational Hazards. American Lung Association, (2000, February).
Lists the major hazardous substances and the conditions they cause.
Occupational lung disease is the number one work-related illness in the United States. An estimated 35,000
current and former textile workers have been disabled by byssinosis.
Cotton Dust
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Cotton Dust. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
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Cotton Dust. OSHA Fact Sheet
95-23, (1995, January).
Covers the hazards of cotton dust during the handling and processing of cotton. Cotton dust may contain a mixture of many substances, including
ground-up plant matter, fiber, bacteria, fungi, soil, pesticides, non-cotton matter, and other contaminants. Exposure to cotton dust can result in serious
health problems.
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Washed Cotton: A Review and Recommendations Regarding Batch Keire Washed Cotton.
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 95-113 (Task Force for Byssinosis Prevention Current
Intelligence Bulletin No. 56), (1995, August).
Dyes
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Hazardous and Toxic Substances. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
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Control of Dust From Powder Dye Handling Operations. US Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-107 (Hazard Controls
No. HC13), (1998, March 2).
Discusses the reduction of worker exposure to powdered dye through ventilation, work practice controls,
and limiting bulk container height.
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Direct Blue 6, Direct Black 38, and Direct Brown 95 Benzidine Derived Dyes.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Current
Intelligence Bulletin No. 24, (1978, April 17). Outlines textile dyes hazards.
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Special Occupational Hazard Review For Benzidine-Based Dyes. US Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 80-109 (Criteria Document), (1980, January).
Evaluates available information concerning the
carcinogenicity and metabolism of benzidine-based dyes and concludes that all
these dyes should be recognized as potential human carcinogens.
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The following are information sheets published by the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE).
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Dyes and chemicals in textile finishing: An introduction. Dyeing and Finishing Information Sheet No.
1.
Focuses on safely handling dyes and chemicals during textile finishing.
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Non-dyestuff chemicals: Safe handling in textile finishing. Dyeing and Finishing Information Sheet No
2.
Outlines risks typical to the dyeing and finishing industries together with risk control measures likely to be appropriate.
- Dyestuffs: Safe handling in textile finishing. Dyeing and Finishing Information Sheet No. 3,
(1996), 358 KB
PDF,
4 pages. Outlines safe use of textile materials.
- Hazards from dyes and chemicals in textile finishing: A brief guide for employees. Dyeing and Finishing Information Sheet No. 4,
(1996), 185 KB PDF, 2
pages. Informs employees of what precautions to take in order to protect themselves from potential hazards in the workplace.
- Reactive dyes: Safe handling in textile finishing. Dyeing and Finishing Information Sheet No. 5,
(1997),
24 KB
PDF, 4 pages.
Discusses how reactive dyes can damage the immune system if they are inhaled or ingested.
- Dust control in dyestuff handling. Dyeing and Finishing Information Sheet No. 6,
(2002), 86 KB PDF, 4
pages. Gives advice about controlling dust when handling of dyestuffs.
- Selection and safe use of spotting solvents in textile and clothing industries.
Textiles Information Sheet No. 7, (2002), 567 KB PDF, 4
pages. Provides practical, step-by-step guidance on
selecting spotting solvents and on how to prevent risks to the health and
safety of those who use them.
Ergonomics
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Ergonomics. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
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Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders. National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topic. Provides ergonomic related references including research,
programs and interventions, and risk factors.
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Textiles Industries - Main causes of occupational injury.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Provides statistics and
gives advice for managing risk.
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Success with Ergonomics. OSHA, (2002, December). The L.L. Bean company significantly reduced ergonomic
injuries, lost work time, and workers' compensation claims by adjusting
company workstations.
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Ergonomic Programs that Work. OSHA
Video, (1998, March), 21 minutes.
Links to a video that shares valuable information and tips from two OSHA compliance officers on
evaluating ergonomic programs.
- Manual Handling in the Textile Industry. Health and Safety Commission (HSC), Textiles Industry Advisory
Committee, (1998, March), 293 MB PDF,
18 pages.
Describes hazards
associated with handling materials and offers helpful solutions.
Falls
- Fall Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
- Preventing slips and trips at work. Health and Safety Executive
(HSE), (2003, November), 219 KB
PDF, 10 pages. Points out that over one third of all major injuries reported
each year are the result of a slip or trip. Provides examples of potential slip and trip
hazards in the workplace and explains how to identify those hazards as well
as possible controls needed.
Hazardous Substances
Heat Stress
Noise
Machine Guarding
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