Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Job Factors Among Large-Herd Dairy Milkers.
Dairy production in the United States is moving towards large-herd milking operations, resulting in an increase in task specialization and work demands. The objective of this project was to provide preliminary evidence of the association of a number of specific job conditions that commonly characterize large-herd parlor milking operations with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). A modified version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was administered to assess MSS prevalence among 450 US large-herd parlor workers. Worker demographics and MSS prevalences were generated. Prevalence ratios were also generated to determine associations of a number of specific job conditions that commonly characterize large-herd parlor milking operations with work-related MSS. Work-related MSS are prevalent among large-herd parlor workers, since nearly 80% report 12-month prevalences of one or more symptoms, which are primarily located in the upper extremities, specifically shoulders and wrist/hand. Specific large-herd milking parlor job conditions are associated with MSS in multiple body regions, including performing the same task repeatedly, insufficient rest breaks, working when injured, static postures, adverse environmental conditions, and reaching overhead. These findings support the need for administrative and engineering solutions aimed at reducing exposure to job risk factors for work-related MSS among large-herd parlor workers.
a Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, San Antonio Campus , The University of Texas Health and Science Center at Houston , San Antonio , Texas , USA.
David I
DI
Douphrate
b Department of Occupational and Environmental Health , University of Iowa , Iowa City , Iowa , USA.
Matthew W
MW
Nonnenmann
c Department of Extension Animal Science and Natural Resources , New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center at Clovis , Clovis , New Mexico , USA.
Robert
R
Hagevoort
a Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, San Antonio Campus , The University of Texas Health and Science Center at Houston , San Antonio , Texas , USA.
David
D
Gimeno Ruiz de Porras
D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods; D000067565:Farmers; D000072480:Farms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce; D017132:Workplace
Agriculture workers; dairy; ergonomics; farm; injury; musculoskeletal; public health; safety