UAB Vonin Lithuania manufactures fishing trawls and fish farming cages. Established in Šiauliai in 2013, the company has since expanded its production capacities and workforce. Currently, it employs 242 workers, of whom 80% are women.
In 2020, an automated sewing machine was purchased that performs loop sewing work four times faster than operators and eliminates the physical workload for employees. However, some customers require the ropes/nets to be sewn by hand in the traditional way.
For five consecutive days or more, operators must sew around loops woven into the 22 mm-thick carcass rope and net using a spool. Stitches must be sewn every 1.52 cm and the thread of the winding around the rope firmly tightened using the physical force of one hand while holding the rope with the other.
A risk assessment of the operators’ workplace was performed. Physiotherapists were consulted and a number of preventive measures were implemented. Rotation of employees performing work with increased physical load was introduced. Employees can now rotate tasks in the event of muscle fatigue.
Team leaders attended ergonomics training to be able to correct and instruct operators who are performing work in a non-ergonomic manner.
This project was awarded with the EU Healthy Workplaces Good Practice award 2022.
Level of Education: Continuing vocational education and training
Lead Organisation: UAB Vonin Lithuania
