title: An analytical ergonomic risk evaluation of body postures during daily cleaning tasks in horse stables.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common reason for health problems and sick leave in many professions. A work arena where MSDs have not been sufficiently studied is stable work. Here many heavy and repetitive work tasks are performed manually with old-fashioned working tools.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to use an analytical approach to identify, evaluate and grade ergonomic problems in physical work performed during daily activities in horse stables and relate these to MSDs among the workers and to the design of the tools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three common work tasks were studied to identify, evaluate and grade ergonomic problems; mucking out, sweeping and bedding replacement. Used methods were Hierarchical Task Analysis, Heuristic Evaluation and Rapid Entire Body Assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several high-risk operations were found in mucking out boxes and disposal of bedding material. The problems consisted of awkward working postures such as a twisted and bent back, arms in an elevated position, wrists in extreme joint positions and handling of heavy loads.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By using an analytical approach it is possible to identify presumptive ergonomic problems without extensive empirical research. In most high-risk operations, long-shafted tools or a wheelbarrow were used, which emphasize a need to develop tools with better ergonomic design to improve the working situation. The limitation is that the ergonomics problems found are not finally validated. The results show where deeper empirical research is needed, both regarding how MSDs occur and how tools and environment contribute to physical problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Science, Business Economics, and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lotta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Löfqvist
authors.affiliation: Division Design and Human Factors, Department Product and Production Development, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna-Lisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Osvalder
authors.affiliation: Division Design and Human Factors, Department Product and Production Development, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lars-Ola
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Bligård
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Science, Business Economics, and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pinzke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016272:Occupational Health; D011187:Posture; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Musculoskeletal problems; stable work; tool design; work task analysis