Needle and Sharp Tools
Control Procedure in Apparel
March 17, 2018 August 8, 2018
Needle, Broken Needle and Sharp Tools Control Procedure in
Apparel Industry applies to all types of Machine needles, Hand Sewing
needles, Label Applicator Gun needles, staples, and sharps (defined
as knives, scissors, cutters, etc.). This article has two parts of controlling
sharp items in the garments industry. One is a needle and broken needle
control, the 2nd part is all others sharp tools control. All these items are
sharp but there at least one needle in every sewing machine so we are
giving needle control separately. Actually, every garments industry has to
control needle and other sharp tools separately. The needle used to sew
garments. Scissor, cutter and cutting knife used to cut fabrics and thread.
And must eliminate staples from all areas, sections, raw materials (like
supplier’s cartons), and processes of the factory. Loose sharp objects in any
production related area near fabric or garments are not allowed, they must
be tied up. A general procedure for controlling all sharp tools are broken
needle log/no needle on idle machines, no sharp points, no staples, and
scissors attached & secured, blades control.
Needle and Sharp Tools
Control Procedure in Apparel
List of Sharps Tools Used in
Garments
1. Sewing Needle
2. Scissor
3. Cutter (Thread trimmer)
4. Cutting M/C Knife
5. Cutting Clamps
6. Loose Metal or M/C Parts
Needle Control
A needle issue booth is to be available on every production floor, only one
person in the relevant department should be given the authority to operate
the needle control procedure. The apparel industry has to set a needle
control policy and manage the procedure effectively because safety is
important for the Buyers & GMTS makers point of view. Applicable to sewing,
embroidery, knitting & linking, or any other place where the needle is used
or where there is a risk of metal contamination of apparel manufacturing
industry.
Objectives of Needle Control
To ensure customer product safety
To ensure safety for employee
To ensure safety for the consumer
Keep discipline of sharp tools handling
Safe working environment
Application of Needle Control
Procedure
Machines not in production, should not have a needle attached. Mechanics
must not leave spare needles with the machine after servicing. No spare or
replaced needles should be held at the machine by an operator. The only
needle allowed at the sewing machine is the one in use. All spare needles
should keep in a secure location, keys for that location should be kept by the
person who is responsible for managing the needle control procedure. When
a needle breakage occurs, all broken parts must be found and taken to the
person responsible for managing the needle and this ensures proper control
procedure of needle. Once all the broken needle parts have been recovered,
they must be attached with clear adhesive tape to a control sheet; a new
needle may then be issued by the authorized distributor. If all the broken
needle parts cannot be located, the work in the immediate area of the
machine must be isolated and kept in a locked box. A metal detector should
then be used to locate the missing needle pieces. Once the location of the
needle pieces has been determined, the needle should be removed.
The article does not have to be destroyed if the whole needle piece has been
removed. Handheld detectors are very useful for tracing lost needles in
sewing rooms very quickly. One in each factory location is suggested. If the
pieces cannot be located by the metal detector then the whole isolated
batch of work should be destroyed. Records of all control sheets must be
maintained. This also should be maintained in a locked, secure location. All
whole needles replaced due to wear and tear should be held in a sealed
container away from the factory floor and disposed of in a way, which would
avoid injury to any persons. Glass items, e.g. bottles or paperweights, in the
production area should also be discouraged in case of glass splinters. The
use of snap-off blade type knives should not be used for any production or
packaging, shipping areas – i.e. disposable metal blades, craft knives etc.
should not be used. The whole needle must be sealed in containers prior to
issue.
Action Need to Follow to
Control Needle
1. The Needle Status could be marked as “B” for Broken and “W” for
Worn/Twisted/Crooked/Bent needles
2. When a needle breakage occurs, all broken parts must be found and
taken to the person responsible for managing the needle control
procedure.
3. Once all the broken needle parts have been recovered, they must be
attached with clear adhesive tape to a control sheet; a new needle
may then be issued by the authorized distributor.
4. If all the broken needle parts cannot be located, the work in the
immediate area of the machine must be isolated and passed through
Metal Detector.
5. If the pieces cannot be located by the metal detector, production in
that area should be stopped; and the whole batch of work should be
destroyed.
How to Control All Sharp
Tools Used in
Apparel/Garments
1. Keep section wise records of all sharp tools quantity
2. Supply all necessary sharp tools start of the workday and take this
back end of the workday.
3. Make sure any single number of tools not lost
4. Keep section wise stock management report
5. Tie all Scissor and cutter with relevant machine/table in work running
time
6. Staples should not use anywhere, staples threat for safety.
7. Any metal or machine spare part not allowed to keep in the workplace.
