analysis of ergonomic risks and occupational diseases in the textile sector in Colombia
Published
:Issue
:Section
:License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Downloads
ergonomics, textile industry, occupational risks, occupational diseases, occupational health.
The textile industry is a fundamental sector for economic and social development, both globally and nationally. However, its production processes generate working conditions that expose workers to multiple ergonomic, physical, and environmental risks. This article analyzes, through qualitative documentary research supplemented by semi-structured interviews, the main ergonomic risks and occupational diseases faced by textile workers in Colombia, especially in the Cúcuta region. The methodology employed allowed for the identification of factors associated with repetitive movements, awkward postures, confined spaces, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, and exposure to textile particles. The results show that musculoskeletal disorders, lower back pain, fatigue, respiratory problems, and allergic symptoms are the most frequent pathologies, particularly in cutting, sewing, and pattern-making areas. The interviews conducted reinforce this problem, revealing experiences of operators who describe discomfort in their spine, knees, and back, as well as respiratory symptoms resulting from inadequate working conditions. Furthermore, it was identified that the lack of ergonomic interventions, the absence of respiratory protection equipment, and inadequate workplace design increase the likelihood of developing occupational diseases. The findings confirm that ergonomic risks directly impact the health, productivity, and quality of life of workers. Finally, the study proposes the implementation of preventive strategies such as the anthropometric adjustment of tables and chairs, improvements in ventilation and lighting, active breaks, the use of face masks, and the reorganization of work areas, in order to reduce the incidence of illnesses and optimize working conditions in the textile industry in Colombia.
Arias, F. (2006). El proyecto de investigación científica. Episteme.
Cáceres Granados, M. (2023). Plan de prevención de riesgos psicosociales en empresas textiles de Cúcuta.
Daza Guisa, L., & Tovar Cuevas, L. (2014). Riesgos laborales en empresas textiles en Colombia.
Duran Goyes, J. (2023). Prevalencia de enfermedades respiratorias en trabajadores del área de producción textil.
Espinosa Carupia, A. (2022). Caracterización sociodemográfica en el sector textil.
Guerrero Tomas, A. (2023). Actualización del reglamento de seguridad y salud en el trabajo en el sector textil.
Hernández Sampieri, R. (2014). Metodología de la investigación. McGraw-Hill.
Hossain, M., & Hossain, S. (2020). Environmental impact of textile dyes in Bangladesh.
Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo. (2021). Riesgos ergonómicos en sectores productivos.
Intrigado Mejía, F. (2021). Ergonomía y desempeño laboral.
Islam, K., & Mustafa, R. (2019). Toxicity of textile dyes in Bangladesh.
Martínez, M. (2006). Investigación cualitativa: Fundamentos y métodos.
Ministerio de Trabajo. (2023). Clasificación de enfermedades laborales en Colombia.
Organización Internacional del Trabajo. (2022). Ergonomía y trabajo seguro.
Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2022). Guía sobre enfermedades laborales.
The textile industry is a fundamental sector for economic and social development, both globally and nationally. However, its production processes generate working conditions that expose workers to multiple ergonomic, physical, and environmental risks. This article analyzes, through qualitative documentary research supplemented by semi-structured interviews, the main ergonomic risks and occupational diseases faced by textile workers in Colombia, especially in the Cúcuta region. The methodology employed allowed for the identification of factors associated with repetitive movements, awkward postures, confined spaces, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, and exposure to textile particles. The results show that musculoskeletal disorders, lower back pain, fatigue, respiratory problems, and allergic symptoms are the most frequent pathologies, particularly in cutting, sewing, and pattern-making areas. The interviews conducted reinforce this problem, revealing experiences of operators who describe discomfort in their spine, knees, and back, as well as respiratory symptoms resulting from inadequate working conditions. Furthermore, it was identified that the lack of ergonomic interventions, the absence of respiratory protection equipment, and inadequate workplace design increase the likelihood of developing occupational diseases. The findings confirm that ergonomic risks directly impact the health, productivity, and quality of life of workers. Finally, the study proposes the implementation of preventive strategies such as the anthropometric adjustment of tables and chairs, improvements in ventilation and lighting, active breaks, the use of face masks, and the reorganization of work areas, in order to reduce the incidence of illnesses and optimize working conditions in the textile industry in Colombia.
Arias, F. (2006). El proyecto de investigación científica. Episteme.
Cáceres Granados, M. (2023). Plan de prevención de riesgos psicosociales en empresas textiles de Cúcuta.
Daza Guisa, L., & Tovar Cuevas, L. (2014). Riesgos laborales en empresas textiles en Colombia.
Duran Goyes, J. (2023). Prevalencia de enfermedades respiratorias en trabajadores del área de producción textil.
Espinosa Carupia, A. (2022). Caracterización sociodemográfica en el sector textil.
Guerrero Tomas, A. (2023). Actualización del reglamento de seguridad y salud en el trabajo en el sector textil.
Hernández Sampieri, R. (2014). Metodología de la investigación. McGraw-Hill.
Hossain, M., & Hossain, S. (2020). Environmental impact of textile dyes in Bangladesh.
Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo. (2021). Riesgos ergonómicos en sectores productivos.
Intrigado Mejía, F. (2021). Ergonomía y desempeño laboral.
Islam, K., & Mustafa, R. (2019). Toxicity of textile dyes in Bangladesh.
Martínez, M. (2006). Investigación cualitativa: Fundamentos y métodos.
Ministerio de Trabajo. (2023). Clasificación de enfermedades laborales en Colombia.
Organización Internacional del Trabajo. (2022). Ergonomía y trabajo seguro.
Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2022). Guía sobre enfermedades laborales.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Cristian Alexander Guecha Miranda, Jhoan David Bonett Vargas, Blanca Mery Rolon Rodríguez, Impact of Digital Marketing on Colombian Business Competitiveness , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 13 No. 25 (2026)
- Yessica Yuliana González Acevedo , Saray Daniela Rangel Saavedra, Blanca Mery Rolón Rodríguez , The Innovation in the digitalization of finances , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 12 No. 23 (2025)
- Ana Camila Pérez Lemus, Maria Camila Mora Vasquez, Blanca Mery Rolón Rodriguez, Crafts made invisible in the face of current fashion in Colombia , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 13 No. 25 (2026)
- Michel Esleyder De Las Aguas Vega , Blanca Mery Rolón Rodríguez , The use of artificial intelligence in university education benefits and disadvantages , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 12 No. 24 (2025)
- Emily Katherine Becerra Téllez, Johan Andres Méndez Ortega, Blanca Mery Rolón Rodríguez , Challenges in the implementation of cross-border e-commerce strategies between Colombia and Venezuela. , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 13 No. 25 (2026)
- Angie Milena Parra, Freylys Michel Camacho, Blanca Mery Rolon Rodriguez, Adoption and Use of Cryptocurrencies in the Colombian Financial Environment , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 13 No. 25 (2026)
- Santiago Carrascal Sanguino , Miguel Elizandro Alvarado Hurtado, Blanca Mery Rolón Rodríguez , Analysis of the impact of the armed conflict on tourism in the Catatumbo region , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 12 No. 24 (2025)
- Jairo Andres Rincon Blanco, Andres Camilo Cuvides Ortega, Blanca Mery Rolón Rodríguez , Software development security: a critical analysis of approaches and practices , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 13 No. 25 (2026)
- Iani Rodriguez Herrera, Eyder Santiago Prieto Ascanio , Blanca Mery Rolon Rodriguez, Workplace stress and its causes among seventh-semester tourism students at FESC , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 12 No. 24 (2025)
- Yurneily Adriana Barrera Barrera, Valeria Andrea Ortiz Gamez, Blanca Mery Rolón Rodríguez, Title: Cyclical fashion and youth identity in the 21st century: between aesthetic nostalgia and symbolic consumption in the digital age , Revista CONVICCIONES: Vol. 12 No. 24 (2025)