
EVALUACIÓN DE LOS FACTORES DE RIESGO POR PUESTO DE TRABAJO EN TEXTILES ILLA, UTILIZANDO LA METODOLOGÍA DEL
INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SEGURIDAD E HIGIENE DEL TRABAJO (INS).
más seguros, dignos y sostenibles para las mujeres que forman parte de una de las cadenas
productivas más tradicionales del Ecuador.
Palabras clave: Riesgos laborales, seguridad en el trabajo, textiles artesanales, metodología
INS, Ecuador, ergonomía, salud en el trabajo
ABSTRACT:
Occupational safety in the artisanal textile sector remains an unresolved issue,
especially in rural areas where working conditions are precarious and risks are barely visible.
The objective of this study was to evaluate job-specific risk factors at the company Textiles
ILLA, located in a rural area of Ecuador, through a descriptive qualitative approach using the
methodology of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INS). Through
direct observation, checklists, basic measurements, and semi-structured interviews, eleven
key job positions were identified along the artisanal wool processing chain. For the qualitative
phase, a census sampling method was applied, including all 20 active female workers in the
workshop.
The results revealed that five out of eleven positions (45%) presented a considerable level of
risk, mainly due to exposure to chemical substances such as 3% hydrogen peroxide, sodium
carbonate, sodium pyrophosphate, and alum; as well as repetitive physical strain, noise,
textile dust, and lack of ventilation. The most critical activities were washing, bleaching,
dyeing, and carding. A widespread absence of appropriate personal protective equipment and
structured active breaks was also observed. Interviews revealed accumulated fatigue,
frequent muscle pain, and a sense of insecurity among the workers. Based on the analysis,
specific measures were proposed for each job position, such as ergonomic improvements,
technical training, process redesigns, and ventilation systems. In addition, the findings provide
useful evidence for designing replicable solutions in similar contexts, incorporating the voices
of the workers and strengthening a preventive culture adapted to the reality of the artisanal
sector. This study demonstrates that, even with limited resources, it is possible to build safer,
more dignified, and more sustainable working environments for the women who are part of
one of Ecuador’s most traditional production chains.
Keywords: Occupational hazards, workplace safety, artisanal textiles, INS methodology,
Ecuador, ergonomics, occupational health
INTRODUCCIÓN
La gestión de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo se ha convertido en un pilar fundamental para el
desarrollo sostenible de las organizaciones industriales, especialmente en sectores como el
textil, donde la diversidad de procesos productivos y la interacción constante con maquinaria
especializada incrementan la exposición a múltiples factores de riesgo. A nivel global, la
Organización Internacional del Trabajo estima que cada año se producen más de 2,7 millones de
muertes relacionadas con el trabajo y cerca de 374 millones de lesiones no mortales, muchas de
las cuales ocurren en industrias manufactureras como la textil (1). Esta realidad evidencia la
necesidad urgente de fortalecer los sistemas de prevención y control de riesgos; integrando