Chairs Sit Well With Laborers

Of the first 100 patients to visit the clinic, a report released in 2002 revealed, 99 had one or more work-related conditions. Nearly half were diagnosed with back strain or pain, one-third with neck strains, one-fourth with shoulder strain or pain, and 9% with wrist and knee pain. More than half said pain kept them awake at night and impeded their housework. Nearly one-third had trouble dressing or bathing.

Just seven had filed workers' compensation claims, and four of them said they were fired or forced out of their jobs as a result. "It was a learning process for the garment workers to identify that pain wasn't normal," said Lashuay, who served as clinic director. " 'You work, you use up your body.' I heard that statement so many times."

Under the guidance of Chan, of the Department of Health Services, the women learned to relieve their symptoms by stretching, applying ice and taking ibuprofen. But when they were encouraged to confront their bosses about poor working conditions, most balked. Many were even reluctant to accept pieces of sturdy foam to use as lumbar support cushions or pad their hard-edged sewing tables, fearing that even slight changes to work equipment might rile their employers.

But slowly, the women began to speak up. One was teaching her colleagues stretching exercises at their sewing shop when her boss appeared. She feared she would be fired, but her supervisor was encouraging. The woman recounted her experience in a video testimonial, distributed to other workers. Maybe, they realized, they could change their workplace.

"Seeing doctors is not a long-term solution," said May Yeung, 50, a shy Hong Kong immigrant. "Prevention is better."

With the women's urging, the nonprofit organizers and clinic health practitioners decided to take the project one step further. Because there was no ergonomic equipment available for the garment industry, they would have to create some.

The final phase of the project convened in a makeshift lab in the nonprofit's offices. Chan and Lashuay recruited Ira Janowitz, a senior University of California ergonomics consultant.

Ergonomics improvement programs are generally initiated by management and conducted at the workplace, said Janowitz. Low-wage workers forming their own ergonomics committee was highly unusual, he said.

Industry conditions also startled him. Workers often sat on crates or stools to sew, factory visits and photos revealed. Those who had chairs adjusted them by jamming spent plastic thread spools under the rear legs.