Poland – Safer and healthier work at any age: the case of a Polish sewing plant (Dartex)

ARTEX is a small sewing plant with 14 female employees working five-day single shifts. Repetitive tasks, performed seated, increase the risk of MSDs. In addition to legally-required medical checks, assessment of individual workstations led to improvements in work organisation, layout and equipment, reducing repetitive strain. External consultants advised on lighting and machinery changes to minimise eyestrain, and exposure to noise and vibration. Improved work organisation reduced accidents to zero and reduced MSDs, while increased precision resulted in a 70% reduction in customer complaints.