What tasks do production employees perform in the textile industry?

Estimated reading time: 23 minutes

The textile industry is concerned with the production of textile materials and their processing. The value chain ranges from the preparation of fibres to the production of finished clothing, technical textiles and home textiles. Fibre preparation, in turn, involves preparing natural fibres and man-made fibres so that they can be used in the production of textiles. Natural fibres come from wool, silk and cotton.

In the next step, yarns and twisted yarns are produced from the prepared fibres. This is also known as fibre processing. This is followed by yarn processing. This is where weaving, knitting, felting and knitting take place. The aim is to produce textile surfaces from the yarns and threads.

This is followed by textile finishing. Here, the textile surfaces are taken and treated to give them the special properties and appearance that they need for the intended use of the end product. This includes printing or colouring them. They are also given additional properties, including an antibacterial or water-repellent effect.

In the next step, the actual end products are manufactured. This means that textile manufacturers convert finished textile surfaces into end products. These can be personal clothing for sport, leisure, going out or work. It also includes home textiles. These include carpets and curtains. Finally, this step also covers technical textiles, such as the upholstery of car seats in the automotive industry.

This means that the textile industry plays an important role for itself by providing several steps in the production of important textiles and clothing. However, it is also an important supplier on which other sectors of the economy, such as the automotive industry, depend.

How are production employees deployed in the textile industry?

Production workers are needed in the textile industry for a number of different tasks. Whilst a large part of production is carried out by machines, it is the people who carry out important preparatory work, extra work steps and the handling of the machines. This means that the tasks of production employees can vary greatly in detail and start with cutting the materials for use in the machines. They then continue with operating the machines and culminate with sewing, quality assurance, packaging and dispatch.

• The Temporary Cutting the materials to size involves the production employees working according to a pattern. This allows them to cut the fabric of the textiles and other materials in a way that a machine can hardly do.
• They also take again Assembly work before. Of course, this is not about the Assembling machines and connecting components. Instead, garments and textile products are joined together to create certain patterns and shapes. This step is therefore not referred to as assembly, but as sewing.
• Naturally production employees also operate the machines in the textile industry.. These are sewing machines, cutting machines and other equipment used for textile processing and production. The machines have to be loaded, adjusted, monitored, maintained and cleaned. The materials required for loading the machines are also prepared as needed. This means that they have to be sorted, rolled up and clamped into the machines.

As part of the finishing process, there are also tasks that await the production employees. They take care of dyeing and printing. This means that they work with chemicals and machines that apply these chemicals to the clothing. There are special safety regulations that must be observed. The production employees also look after the machines themselves that are used here. This also includes cleaning and simple maintenance work.

Of course, there is also ongoing quality assurance in this area. Here, the materials, processes and products are tested to ensure that they fulfil the various requirements.

There is also the area of packaging and despatch. Here, the production employees prepare the products for dispatch, stock the warehouse, transport the products, pack them and label them.

What jobs are there for production workers in the textile industry?

Within the textile industry, there are professions that are similar to those in other sectors, but there are also separate professions that specialise in the production of textiles. This starts with the production worker themselves. This term covers all areas in which people work within the industry and also applies to the textile industry.

The Machine operators can be found in the textile industry. As the name suggests, they specialise in the operation of machines. In the context of the textile industry, these are of course also machines that are used for the production of textiles. Operators are responsible for ensuring that the machines work properly. This includes setting and monitoring them. They readjust them if necessary, find faults and rectify them. They also clean the machines after use or whenever necessary during operation.

Sufficient Quality controller The quality inspector is responsible for ensuring the quality of products in the textile industry. To do this, he analyses the materials on delivery and the products before dispatch. He checks the processes and makes suggestions for optimisation.

There is also the profession of Specialist practitioner. They specialise in certain types of work, such as sewing and tailoring. With the necessary experience, they can efficiently produce large quantities of good quality.

The textile industry also has Laboratories. Accordingly, there are also Textile laboratory technicians. They are responsible for examining and analysing textiles and other materials. In doing so, they help with quality assurance and are also responsible for finding the right fabrics for the right properties at the lowest possible cost.

Then there is the profession that so many people wish for, namely that of the Fashion designer. He is busy developing new textile models and creating new designs. In doing so, he creates or follows trends and ensures the success of the company by constantly creating new products that are enthusiastically received by customers.

What are the working conditions and how much does a production worker earn in the textile industry?

Working conditions in the textile industry depend on various factors. These include the location of the company, the company itself and the products that are manufactured. However, it is also still a reality that working conditions are generally very demanding for individual jobs.

The work involves long periods of standing. Certain work steps must be carried out with a high degree of precision. Sometimes heavy loads have to be moved. This is associated with long working hours. Many employees are also traditionally women, which means that they are subject to a particularly high level of stress. In addition, at least some of the work takes place in noisy and sometimes quite dusty areas. There are also odours caused by the paints and other chemicals.

The salary paid is not always one of the best. It also depends on various factors, whereby the company and its location also play a major role. Starting salaries are in the region of 2,000 euros gross per month. With a little work experience, they then rise to 2,700 to 3,000 euros gross.

What tasks do the production employees fulfil when sewing and processing the textiles?

In the textile industry, fibres are processed in important steps to create yarns and threads, which are then used to make the actual textiles. This means weaving, gluing, knitting and sewing. The individual parts of the textiles are put together in such a way that the desired product is created in the end. Two things are particularly important here: the seams and the precision. The seams must be of such good quality that the textiles can withstand the stresses and strains of everyday life. They must be sewn so precisely that the end result is exactly the desired shape and size.

The sewing and processing of textiles is done by hand and by machine. The processing of cotton, wool, nylon and polyester is usually a process in which machines play a major role. Machines are also used for weaving, gluing and knitting. However, there are also many steps that can only be carried out by hand, for which the production workers must proceed with the necessary care.

Machines are also used extensively in fabric processing. Here, fabrics are bleached, washed, dyed and printed. In most cases, this can not only be done more easily and efficiently with machines, it is also often a question of health. While the chemicals in clothing are harmless on the skin, in large quantities, such as a bath for dyeing, they are a burden that can have an impact on the skin and health over time. Machines prevent excessive contact with the chemicals.

Depending on the type and shape of the seam, different fabric parts can be sewn and assembled by machine or by hand. Straight long seams for technical textiles or simple seams for clothing can be sewn by machine. Other, smaller seams that are not straight, however, require manual labour.

The seams and their quality are decisive for the life of the product and its appearance. There are certain machines and techniques that can help to ensure that they look strong and attractive enough. For example, double stitching increases the durability of a product.

How do production employees work in fabric testing?

Fabric testing plays an important role in the textile industry. It involves compliance with safety standards, the avoidance of harmful chemicals and the fulfilment of customer quality requirements.

In order to fulfil these objectives, the Substance testing from various tests. These check the physical, chemical and mechanical properties. The fibres are identified, their properties, such as tensile strength and abrasion, are determined and exposure to chemicals is checked.

The startup Analysis of the fibres In turn, the fibres are analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The qualitative analysis depends on the substances that make up the fibres. Microscopes are used for this and chemical tests are carried out. It is also possible to determine what is in the fibres by burning them off and analysing the residues. In quantitative fibre analysis, the employees determine the proportion of the individual fibre types in the fabric.

In the physical testing is used to determine how well the textiles can withstand environmental influences. This starts with the tensile strength. The maximum force that the fabrics can withstand without tearing is checked here.

It also tests how well the fabrics can withstand abrasion. The spray test, on the other hand, tests how water-repellent the fabric is. This means how quickly or how easily water can penetrate or permeate the fabric and how much water is absorbed by the fibres.

In the Washing test The aim is to recognise how stable the fabric is. Does it shrink during the washing process? Does it crease or disintegrate over time? And then there is the test for flammability. Here it is important to recognise how fire-safe a fabric is. This test is particularly important with regard to fire safety and the regulations aimed at this.

How does the mechanical & chemical testing of materials work?

In the mechanical testing is once again about the tensile strength, but here also in relation to the fibre direction. The tear strength is also determined. In addition, a shock load test is carried out.

The startup Chemical testing is concerned with determining which substances are present in the tissue. This mainly involves harmful substances such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, AZO dyes and more. Even in small doses, these can cause harmful effects over the wearing period of textiles. Compliance with certain eco-textile standards is also tested here.

Further tests relate to appearance and colour. This involves checking whether the products have the visual properties, shapes and colours that were ordered. The colour fastness is also checked. To do this, the products are first washed and then checked to see how they look after the washing process.

This is also accompanied by a review of the Dimensional stability. This means checking whether the fabrics stretch, shrink or crease during washing. It is also checked whether small nodules form in the fabric during the washing process.

What is the purpose of substance testing?

Substance testing has a total of three purposes: ensuring quality, guaranteeing safety and complying with legal requirements. There are certain requirements for quality assurance that are formulated by the client. It must be ensured that the products fulfil these requirements and thus satisfy customers and lead to follow-up orders.

The main aim of safety testing is to prevent textiles from being contaminated with harmful substances. This applies to the safety of the user as well as the legal protection of the producer. If the company supplies textiles that cause damage to health, considerable claims for damages can quickly arise.

Finally, there are legal requirements and regulations with regard to textiles. These must also be complied with. In some cases, the regulations differ considerably depending on the intended use. Textiles intended for the manufacture of children's and baby clothing, for example, are subject to different requirements than textiles for technical use.

What activities do production employees perform when dyeing and bleaching textiles?

Dyeing and bleaching are two very important steps in the processing of textiles. However, these are often viewed with a little unease. Due to the chemicals used, there are various health risks for production employees during this work, so they must work with sufficient care.

During dyeing and bleaching, colours are added to the fabrics to give them the desired properties. Bleaching precedes dyeing. The employees remove natural impurities and prepare the fabric for the subsequent dyeing process. This then consists of applying dyes to the fibres so that they settle there and change the appearance of the fabrics.

Bleaching is very important because the naturally occurring impurities can prevent or impair the absorption of the colours by the fabric. This can result in a lack of colour intensity or uneven colour absorption, which leads to an unclean appearance. It is therefore important for colour brilliance and uniformity to first remove the impurities by bleaching.

The production staff use various chemical compounds and bleaching agents for bleaching. These include acids as well as alkalis or chlorine and hydrogen peroxide.

The substances are often toxic and are also carcinogenic. It is therefore important for employees, but also for the environment as a whole, to proceed with caution and responsibility.

The fabrics are then dyed in the desired colour. This can be done in dye baths or the colours are simply printed on. The colours can also pollute the environment. In addition, a lot of water is used, which is itself a pollutant and leads to toxic waste water. Careful working is therefore required here too.

As part of responsible working, it is also important that the textile industry focuses more and more on sustainability. It is known as a major consumer of water and pollutes the environment with the chemicals that end up in waste water. Therefore, production employees are constantly encouraged to use water and chemicals sparingly wherever possible. They should also bring up any opportunities for improvement directly so that the use of water and chemicals can be further reduced.

What are the health risks of dyeing and bleaching in the textile industry?

• There is a clear health risk for production workers involved in dyeing and bleaching. This starts with Respiratory diseasesThe dangers come from the chemicals and substances that employees use in the processes. It is therefore important to ensure that sufficient personal protective equipment is worn and that contact is generally avoided.
• The dyes that colour the textiles often release aromatic amines. With prolonged contact, these lead to skin allergies and the occurrence of dermatitis. Chlorine bleach, on the other hand, can also cause problems through the air and cause asthma and respiratory problems.
• Certain colour pigments contain heavy metals. These include mercury, chromium, lead, cadmium and copper. These can also lead to health problems if exposure accumulates over the years at work.
• The handling of certain raw materials, a good example would be cotton, leads to a strong Dust pollution. This in turn can have various Diseases of the respiratory tract cause. These include asthma, bronchitis, byssinosis and more.

The various stresses can also lead to further complaints. This can be seen, for example, in an impairment of the nervous system. It can also lead to restrictions in fertility.

What is being done to reduce exposure and thus the risk to health?

Of course, companies are doing a lot to reduce exposure and thus the risk to health.

• This begins with the personal Protective clothing. In some areas, work may only be carried out with gloves and breathing masks.
• In addition, the Contact with chemicals reduced. Anyone who does not have to work in the area where these are located is not allowed to enter. The halls are also well ventilated in order to remove hazardous substances from the air as quickly as possible.
• For the employees, there are often Investigations which are carried out regularly. This makes it possible to recognise at a very early stage whether effects on health are manifesting and countermeasures can be taken.
• Also find Training courses takes place. Production employees are informed about the health risks involved. They are also instructed on how they can protect themselves. This also includes instructions on the use of protective equipment and why it is so important to use it correctly.

There are certifications and standards for the textile industry. These also serve to protect the health of production employees. It is therefore important that employees know the standards, adhere to them themselves and ensure that other employees and the company also fulfil these standards.

What activities await production employees in packaging, transport and quality assurance within the textile industry?

Other areas that are also very important in the textile industry are the packaging, transport and quality assurance stages. These ensure that the products reach the customer in the right quality as ordered.

Quality assurance serves to guarantee the quality of the end products. The packaging then protects the goods on the way to the customer and also provides the basis for a good appearance and correct labelling. Transport ensures that the goods are dispatched safely and efficiently. All of this requires the right approach from the production staff involved.

The packaging uses different materials. These must be suitable for transporting the textiles. In other words, it is not always a question of protecting against knocks or shocks. Rather, dust and moisture must first be kept away from the textiles. It depends on the textiles whether the employees pack them hanging or lying down.

Next to the Etikettierung und dem Schutz der enthaltenen Textilien müssen die Verpackungen je nach Auftrag und Situation noch ein wenig mehr leisten. Das beinhaltet zum Beispiel das Anbringen von Sicherheits-Tags. Diese müssen sich vom befugten Personal leicht anbringen und entfernen lassen. Sie dienen als Diebstahlschutz, so dass die Mitarbeiter sie so anbringen, dass Unbefugte sie nicht einfach erkennen oder beseitigen können.

In addition, the call for sustainability has also reached the packaging sector. Production employees must therefore also select the right materials for packaging from an environmental perspective. This is done, for example, by using recycled material.

Welche Aufgaben übernehmen Produktionsmitarbeiter im Transport und Versand?

The production employees responsible for shipping select the best mode of transport. For example, this may be a simple flat shipment or require special packaging to protect delicate textiles.

Furthermore, the production employees in transport optimise the route for shipping. This means that transport damage can be avoided or at least minimised right from the start. They also provide the documentation for shipping and set up the tracking options.

Quality assurance takes place across all manufacturing processes and pursues several objectives. The first is to avoid errors. Two things are important at the same time. No faulty goods must reach the customer. This would affect their satisfaction and jeopardise follow-up orders. In addition, the production staff must reduce rejects, which are themselves associated with costs.

Secondly, it is important that the quality is maintained in such a way that it meets the customer's specifications. This is also about customer satisfaction, the company's good reputation and obtaining further orders. Finally, the textiles themselves should be safe and durable.

Was sind die Ziele der Qualitätssicherung?

In addition to these main objectives, there is another area that falls within the objectives of quality assurance. This is sustainability. Quality assurance employees also monitor the processes that take place in production. They make suggestions for improvement that also keep the environment in mind. This includes reducing costs by reducing waste and using consumables such as ink and bleach more sparingly. In addition, there is a reduction in emissions, for example through greater energy efficiency. They also promote the use of recycling and the achievement of a circular economy.

In order to achieve these goals, the quality assurance employees use several tests. This starts with checking the fabrics during production or delivery, depending on the company. They also make sure that they are cut correctly, that the seams are of the right quality and that they are finished. Even the packaging at the end is checked to ensure that the goods are protected on their way to the customer as intended.

The checks focus on various properties. These include the quality of the raw materials, compliance with the design specification in terms of dimensions, stable and strong seams, good colour consistency and sufficient tear resistance.

Conclusion

In the textile industry, there are various areas of work for employees. This starts with the preparatory work, continues with operating the machines and extends to sewing, packaging and dispatch, as well as quality control.

The working conditions are quite demanding for production employees. They involve standing for hours on end, lifting loads and working with various chemicals, which themselves are not without danger. However, pay in the textile industry is rather low compared to other sectors.

The employees are tasked with sewing parts, bleaching the fabrics, dyeing and finishing them. They also check the fabrics to ensure that they meet the requirements. This includes testing the strength, colour quality and the substances contained.

In the course of their work, employees are exposed to health risks from the chemicals used. They are therefore often required to wear protective equipment. They are also trained about the dangers and measures are taken to reduce the risks. This is done, for example, through strong ventilation so that toxic substances are quickly removed from the air.

The production employees also work in the areas of packaging, transport and quality assurance. The packaging must protect the textiles from dust and moisture in particular. Transport must ensure safe and efficient despatch to the customer. Quality assurance must guarantee all-round quality, from the materials supplied to the processes through to the packaged end product.