Such changes in the nature of the domestic apparel industry will certainly continue as globalization proceeds. Sewing machine operators and other production workers work an average of 37.3 hours weekly, but overtime is common during periods of peak production. Some firms in the industry operate several shifts and may require employees to work nights or weekends. As more expensive machinery is introduced, companies may add shifts to keep expensive machines from being idle. Factories are generally clean, well lit, and well ventilated, but sewing areas may be noisy.
Operators often sit for long periods of time and lean over machines.
New ergonomically designed chairs and machines that allow workers to stand during operation are some ways that firms seek to minimize discomfort for production workers. Another concern for workers is injuries caused by repetitive motions. The implementation of modular units and specially designed equipment reduces potential health problems by lessening the stress of repetitive motions. In 1997, cases of work-related injury and illness in the apparel industry averaged 7.0 per 100 workers, lower than the 10.3 average in all manufacturing industries, and about the same as the 7.1 rate for all industries. The movement away from traditional piecework systems often results in a significant change in working conditions.