Health & Fitness for Textile Workers: Part 7 – Garment Washing & Finishing

Today, we conclude our series by focusing on a critical, yet often overlooked, stage: Garment Washing and Finishing. This is where garments receive their final treatments – washes, dyes, softeners, and special effects – to achieve their desired look and feel before reaching the consumer.

Working in garment washing and finishing means you’re operating in an environment distinct from earlier stages. You’ll be dealing with large industrial machines, chemicals, water, and sometimes intense physical demands. Understanding these specific factors is vital for maintaining your health and safety in this specialized segment of the textile industry.

I. Understanding the Environment: Specific Health Risks for Garment Washing & Finishing Workers

Garment washing and finishing facilities involve processes that can expose workers to a unique combination of chemical, physical, and ergonomic hazards.

A. Chemical Exposure: A Constant Presence

This is a primary concern in garment washing and finishing, as a vast array of chemicals are used to achieve different effects:

• Detergents & Soaps: Used in washing, can cause skin irritation or respiratory issues if inhaled as aerosols.
• Bleaching Agents: (e.g., sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate) are highly corrosive and irritating. Direct skin/eye contact can cause severe burns; inhalation of fumes can cause respiratory distress.
• Softening & Finishing Agents: Various resins, enzymes, and softeners (e.g., silicone-based, cellulosic enzymes like cellulase for “bio-wash” effects) can cause skin sensitization or respiratory irritation.
• Dyes & Pigments: For garment dyeing, these carry risks similar to fabric dyeing (skin/respiratory sensitization, potential systemic effects from certain dye types).
• Solvents: Used in some specialized cleaning or finishing processes, can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, and central nervous system depression if inhaled.
• Hazardous Fumes: From processes like ozone bleaching (ozone gas), or thermal treatments.
• Wet & Humid Conditions: Increases the absorption of chemicals through the skin and can lead to skin issues.

B. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Heavy & Wet Loads

Garments absorb water and chemicals during washing, making them significantly heavier and more difficult to handle manually.

• Lifting & Unloading Machines: Repeatedly loading and unloading large, heavy, wet garment batches from industrial washing machines, dryers, and extractors is a major risk factor for:
  • Lower Back Pain: From bending, twisting, and lifting heavy, awkward loads.
  • Shoulder & Arm Strain: From pushing, pulling, and overhead lifting.
  • Knee Pain: From squatting or kneeling to access machine interiors.
• Repetitive Tasks: Folding, inspecting, or packing garments can involve repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Prolonged Standing: Operating machinery or performing inspection tasks often requires long periods of standing on hard, often wet, surfaces, leading to foot pain, leg fatigue, and lower back issues.
• Slips, Trips, and Falls: Wet and slippery floors from water spills or chemical splashes are a constant hazard, increasing the risk of falls and sprains.

C. Thermal Stress & Heat-Related Illnesses:

• High Temperatures & Steam: Processes involving hot water, steam, and heated dryers/curing ovens create hot and humid working environments.
• Effects: Risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Workers can also experience burns from hot surfaces, steam, or hot liquids.

D. Noise Exposure:

• Industrial Washers & Dryers: Large washing machines, centrifuges, and tumble dryers generate significant noise during operation.
• Other Machinery: Hydro-extractors, air compressors, and steam lines also contribute to the overall noise level.
• Effects: Prolonged exposure can lead to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus.

E. Confined Spaces & Entanglement:

• Machine Interiors: Some maintenance or cleaning tasks may require entering large washing drums or other confined spaces, posing risks of suffocation, entanglement, or chemical exposure if proper lockout/tagout and confined space entry procedures are not followed.
• Moving Parts: Risk of entanglement in moving parts of machinery (e.g., conveyor belts, drum rotations) if safety guards are not in place or bypassed.

II. Targeted Health & Fitness Strategies for Garment Washing & Finishing Workers

Protecting your health in a garment washing and finishing facility demands a vigilant approach to chemical safety, thermal regulation, and careful ergonomic practices.

A. Chemical Safety & Personal Protection: Your Absolute Priority

1. Strict Adherence to PPE:
   • Chemical-Resistant Gloves: Always wear gloves appropriate for the specific chemicals being handled. Check their integrity regularly for tears or punctures.
   • Eye & Face Protection: Use safety goggles or a full face shield whenever mixing, adding, or working near chemicals where splashes or fumes are a risk.
   • Protective Aprons/Clothing: Wear chemical-resistant aprons or full suits to prevent skin contact.
   • Respirators: Use the correct type of respirator (e.g., for acid gases, organic vapors, particulates) as specified for the chemicals you are exposed to. Ensure a proper fit.
2. Understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS): This is paramount. Know the hazards, safe handling procedures, first aid, and emergency protocols for every chemical you interact with.
3. Proper Ventilation: Ensure local exhaust ventilation and general room ventilation systems are functioning correctly and always use them when handling volatile chemicals or during processes that generate fumes.
4. Emergency Procedures: Know the location and proper use of eyewash stations, safety showers, and fire extinguishers. Understand the emergency response plan for chemical spills or exposures.
5. Good Housekeeping: Immediately clean up any chemical or water spills to prevent slips, falls, and chemical contact.

B. Ergonomics & Movement for Musculoskeletal Health:

1. Smart Lifting & Handling:
   • Use Mechanical Aids: Always utilize hoists, trolleys, or other mechanical aids for moving heavy, wet garment loads whenever possible.
   • Proper Lifting Technique: If manual lifting is necessary, lift with your legs, keep your back straight, and keep the load close to your body. Avoid twisting while lifting.
   • Team Lifts: Always ask for help with heavy or awkward loads.
2. Regular Stretching & Micro-Breaks:
   • Take short, frequent breaks (e.g., 1-2 minutes every 30-60 minutes) to stretch your back, shoulders, arms, and legs.
   • Targeted Stretches: Focus on back extensions, shoulder rolls, wrist circles, and calf stretches to counter the demands of lifting and standing.
3. Supportive Footwear: Wear slip-resistant, comfortable, and well-cushioned safety shoes to provide stability on wet floors and reduce fatigue from prolonged standing.

C. Thermal Regulation & Hydration:

1. Consistent Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout your shift. Dehydration is a significant risk in hot, humid environments.
2. Cooling Breaks: Take regular breaks in cooler, well-ventilated areas away from heat-generating machinery.
3. Recognize Heat Stress: Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke for yourself and your colleagues, and report them immediately.
4. Appropriate Workwear: Wear light, breathable work clothes that wick away moisture.

D. Hearing Conservation:

1. Consistent Use of Hearing Protection: Always wear and properly fit earplugs or earmuffs when working near noisy washing machines, dryers, or other equipment.
2. Regular Audiometric Testing: Participate in hearing tests provided by your mill to monitor your hearing health over time.

E. General Well-being Practices (Reinforced):

1. Balanced Nutrition: A healthy diet provides the energy and nutrients needed for physical demands and supports your body’s resilience.
2. Quality Sleep: Essential for physical recovery from strenuous work and maintaining mental alertness and reaction time.
3. Stress Management: Engage in activities you enjoy outside of work to decompress and manage the mental load of a demanding job.

Conclusion

The garment washing and finishing department is where the final magic happens, but it requires unwavering vigilance regarding safety and health. By diligently managing chemical exposures, practicing smart ergonomics, staying hydrated, and consistently using protective equipment, you can ensure a long, healthy, and impactful career in this vibrant part of the textile industry.

This concludes our comprehensive series on health and fitness across the textile mill departments. We hope these insights empower you to prioritize your well-being every day!