Applied Ergonomics 35 (2004) 493–496 Technical note Ergonomic intervention in carpet mending operation Alireza Choobineh a, *, Reza Tosian b , Zahra Alhamdi c , Mohammadhassan Davarzanie b a Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 71645 111, Shiraz, Iran b Industrial Design Department, School of Art and Architecture, Azad University, Tehran, Iran c Cultural Heritage Organization, Fars Main Office, Shiraz, Iran Received 16 April 2002; accepted 26 January 2004 Abstract Carpet mending operations are performed in traditional workshops in a squatting position. Seventy-two menders were questioned regarding musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Among the menders, knees, back and shoulders problems were more prevalent compared to other body regions. Based on the problems found, a new workstation was developed and eight menders were asked to work in the new workstation. They were observed and evaluated with the RULA technique and their opinion on the improvement was asked working on four frequently seen tasks. The new workstation improved working posture noticeably. In 57% of the cases, the new workstation was evaluated good or very good and the comfort was increased. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Carpet mending; Working posture; Design 1. Introduction Carpet mending is an important operation in the carpet industry. Carpets are always likely to get damaged due to different reasons. Carpet mending deals with repairing of carpet damaged parts such that it is not easily recognizable. In Iran, the art of mending has a direct effect on the carpet economy. Carpet menders, in general, revitalize dead capital and, in their own way, earn considerable hard currency for the country (Haji- Nasiry, 1998). Carpet mending as an informal small-scale industry is performed in traditional workshops in which one to at most 15 workers do the mending operations with simple, old-fashioned hand tools. In general, there are no proper facilities for heating, cooling and lighting in mending workshops. In some cases, carpets are repaired in open space, causing exposure to harsh outdoor conditions. Mending operations are performed in a squatting position in which menders fold their knees under their bodies while sitting on the floor (Fig. 1). In this condition, the back is bent excessively and postures of different parts of body dramatically deviate from the neutral. Many experienced menders leave their jobs because of poor working conditions and musculoskele- tal problems and start new business. By this means, their valuable, artistic experiences are lost. The present study had the following goals: 1. Determining the prevalence of musculoskeletal pro- blems in menders’ population; 2. Improving the working conditions and assessing the working conditions improvement. 2. Materials and methods The present study consisted of two phases. Phase 1: A cross-sectional population-based study was designed to evaluate body postures and musculos- keletal problems among menders. In all, 12 workshops with 72 male menders participated in this study. All workshops were visited and all menders were inter- viewed. Required data on personal details and muscu- loskeletal problems was collected, using a questionnaire and general Nordic Questionnaire (Kuorinka et al., 1987). ARTICLE IN PRESS *Corresponding author. Tel.: +98-917-118-4450; fax: +98-711-726- 0225. E-mail address: alrchoobin@sums.ac.ir (A. Choobineh). 0003-6870/$-see front matter r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2004.01.008