Also included are establishments that manufacture clothing by cutting and joining materials (for example, by adhesives) materials such as paper and non-woven textiles. Included in the apparel industries are three types of establishments: (1) regular or inside factories; (2) contract factories; and (3) apparel jobbers. The regular factories perform all of the usual manufacturing functions within their own plant; the contract factories manufacture apparel from materials owned by others; and apparel jobbers perform the entrepreneurial functions of a manufacturing company, such as buying raw materials, designing, and preparing samples, arranging for the manufacture of clothing from their materials, and selling of the finished apparel.

Knitting mills are classified in Industry 2253 if primarily knitting outerwear, and in Industry 2254 if primarily knitting underwear and nightwear. Custom tailors and dressmakers not operating on a factory basis are classified in Retail Trade, Industry 5699; and establishments that purchase and resell finished garments but do not perform the functions of the apparel jobbers are classified in Wholesale Trade, Industry Group 513.

Industry Group 231: Men's and Boys' Suits, Coats, and Overcoats – (SIC 2311) Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' tailored suits, coats, and overcoats from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing uniforms (except athletic and work uniforms) are also included in this industry. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's work uniforms and clothing are classified in Industry 2326, and those manufacturing men's and boys' athletic uniforms are classified in Industry 2329. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing suits, coats, and outerwear are classified in Industry 2253.

Industry Group 232: Men's and Boys' Furnishings, Work Clothing, and Allied Garments – (SIC 2321) Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' shirts (including polo and sport shirts) from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing work shirts are classified in Industry 2326. (SIC 2322) Men's and Boys' Underwear and Nightwear are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' underwear and nightwear from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing underwear and nightwear are classified in Industry 2254, and those manufacturing men's and boys' robes are classified in Industry 2384. (SIC 2323) Men's and Boys' Neckwear are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' neckties, scarves, and mufflers from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing neckties, scarves, and mufflers are classified in Industry 2253. (SIC 2325) Men's and Boys' Separate Trousers and Slacks are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' separate trousers and slacks from purchased woven or knit fabrics, including jeans, dungarees, and jean-cut casual slacks. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing complete suits are classified in Industry 2311; those manufacturing work pants (excluding jeans and dungarees) are classified in Industry 2326. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' separate trousers and slacks are classified in Industry 2253. (SIC 2326) Men's and Boys' Work Clothing are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' work shirts, work pants (excluding jeans and dungarees), other work clothing, and washable service apparel. (SIC 2329) Men's and Boys' Clothing, Not Elsewhere Classified are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' clothing, not elsewhere classified, from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing leather and sheep-lined garments are classified in Industry 2386.

Industry Group 233: Women's, Misses', and Juniors' Outerwear – (SIC 2331) Women's, Misses', and Juniors' Blouses and Shirts are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing women's, misses', and juniors' blouses and shirts from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing girls', children's, and infants' blouses and shirts are classified in Industry 2361. (SIC 2335) Women's, Misses', and Juniors' Dresses are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing women's, misses', and juniors' dresses (including ensemble dresses), from purchased woven or knit fabrics, including woven or knit fabrics of paper, whether sold by the piece or by the dozen. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing girls', children's, and infants' dresses are classified in Industry 2361. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing knit dresses are classified in Industry 2253. (SIC 2337) Women's, Misses', and Juniors' Suits, Skirts, and Coats are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing women's, misses', and juniors' suits, pantsuits, skirts, coats, except fur coats and raincoats, and tailored jackets and vests, from purchased woven or knit fabrics. These garments are generally tailored and usually lined. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fur clothing are classified in Industry 2371, and those manufacturing raincoats are classified in Industry 2385. (SIC 2339) Women's, Misses', and Juniors' Outerwear, Not Elsewhere Classified are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing women's, misses', and juniors' outerwear, not elsewhere classified, from purchased woven or knit fabrics.

Industry Group 234: Women's, Misses', Children's, and Infants' – (SIC 2341) Women's, Misses', Children's, and Infants' Underwear and Nightwear are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing women's, misses', children's, and infants' underwear and nightwear from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing underwear and nightwear are classified in Industry 2254. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing women's and misses' robes and dressing gowns are classified in Industry 2384, and those manufacturing children's and infants' robes are classified in Industry 2369. (SIC 2342) Brassieres, Girdles, and Allied Garments are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing brassieres, girdles, corsets, corset accessories, and allied garments.

Industry Group 235: Hats, Caps, and Millinery – (SIC 2353) Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing hats, caps, and millinery, and hat bodies. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing millinery trimmings are classified in Industry 2396. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing hats and caps of paper are classified in Industry 2679; those manufacturing caps of rubber are classified in Industry 3069; those manufacturing caps of plastics are classified in Industry 3089, and those manufacturing fur hats are classified in Industry 2371.

Industry Group 236: Girls', Children's, and Infants' Outerwear – (SIC 2361) Girls', Children's, and Infants' Dresses, Blouses, and Shirts are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing girls', children's, and infants' dresses, blouses, and shirts from purchased woven or knit fabrics. (SIC 2369) Girls', Children's, and Infants' Outerwear, Not Elsewhere Classified are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing girls', children's, and infants' outerwear, not elsewhere classified, from purchased woven or knit fabrics.

Industry Group 237: Fur Goods – (SIC 2371) Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fur coats, and other clothing, accessories, and trimmings made of fur. Examples include fur apparel, coats, glove linings, and hats. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing sheep-lined clothing are classified in Industry 2386, and those engaged in dyeing and dressing of furs are classified in Industry 3999.

Industry Group 238: Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessories – (SIC 2381) Dress and Work Gloves, Except Knit and All-Leather are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing dress, semi-dress, and work gloves and mittens from purchased woven or knit fabrics, or from these materials combined with leather or plastics. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing gloves and mittens are classified in Industry 2259; establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing leather gloves are classified in Industry 3151; those manufacturing sporting and athletic gloves are classified in Industry 3949, and those manufacturing safety gloves are classified in Industry 3842. (SIC 2384) Robes and Dressing Gowns are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's, boys', and women's robes and dressing gowns from purchased woven or knit fabrics. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing girls', children's, and infants' robes from purchased fabric are classified in Industry 2369. Knitting mills primarily engaged in manufacturing knit robes and dressing gowns are classified in Industry 2253. (SIC 2385) Waterproof Outerwear is establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing raincoats and other waterproof outerwear from purchased rubberized fabrics, plastics, and similar materials. Included in this industry are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing waterproof or water-repellant outerwear from purchased woven or knit fabrics other than wool. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing men's and boys' oiled-fabric work clothing are classified in Industry 2326, and those manufacturing vulcanized rubber clothing and clothing made from rubberized fabrics produced in the same establishment are classified in Industry 3069. (SIC 2386) Leather and Sheep-Lined Clothing are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing leather and sheep-lined clothing. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing leather gloves and mittens are classified in Industry 3151, and those manufacturing fur clothing are classified in Industry 2371. (SIC 2387) Apparel belts are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing apparel belts of any material. (SIC 2389) Apparel and Accessories, Not Elsewhere Classified are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing suspenders, garters, handkerchiefs, and other apparel, not elsewhere classified, such as academic caps and gowns, vestments, and theatrical costumes. Also included are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing clothing by cutting and joining (for example, by adhesives) materials such as paper and non-woven textiles.

Industry Group 239: Miscellaneous Fabricated Textile Products – (SIC 2391) Curtains and Draperies are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing curtains and draperies from purchased materials. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing lace curtains on lace machines are classified in Industry 2258. (SIC 2392) House furnishing, Except Curtains and Draperies are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing house furnishings, such as blankets, bedspreads, sheets, tablecloths, towels, and shower curtains from purchased materials. Establishments producing house furnishings primarily of fabric woven at the same establishment are classified in Industries 2211, 2221, 2231, or 2299 according to fiber. (SIC 2393) Textile Bags are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing shipping and other industrial bags from purchased fabrics. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing plastics bags are classified in Industry 2673; those manufacturing laundry, wardrobe, shoe, and other textile house furnishing bags are classified in Industry 2392; and those manufacturing luggage are classified in Industry 3161. (SIC 2394) Canvas and Related Products are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing awnings, tents, and related products from purchased fabrics. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing canvas bags are classified in Industry 2393. (SIC 2395) Pleating, Decorative and Novelty Stitching, and Tucking for the Trade are establishments primarily engaged in pleating, decorative and novelty stitching, and tucking for the trade. Establishments primarily engaged in performing similar services for individuals are classified in service industries. (SIC 2396) Automotive Trimmings, Apparel Findings, and Related Products are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing automotive trimmings, apparel findings, and related products. Included in this industry are establishments primarily engaged in printing and stamping on fabric articles. (SIC 2397) Schiffli Machine Embroideries are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing Schiffli machine embroideries. (SIC 2399) Fabricated Textile Products, Not Elsewhere Classified are establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fabricated textile products, not elsewhere classified. Examples include fishing nets, non-disposable diapers, parachutes, seat belts, and sleeping bags.

Note: The following table represents only the potential occupational health concerns related to the entire apparel and other finished products made from fabrics and similar materials industries based on a job task or work activity, and any related OSHA standards for regulatory compliance. The information presented does not indicate or suggest a relative risk of exposure based on the location within the table nor provides any exposure information. Health risks associated with fatigue, working long hours, and other psychosocial disorders are not addressed.

The focus of this information is to provide guidance to understand the occupational health hazards from chemical substances, physical and biological agents, radiological, ergonomic, and environmental hazards from exposure to plants and animals. Potential occupational health exposures in this industry were contrived from the OSHA Integrated Management Information System database between 1984 to 2020. Additional information was obtained from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluations performed by request of employee representatives and organizations from 1978 to 2020.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images.