title: The biomechanical overload of the upper limb: a neglected occupational hazard in animal facility operators.
abstract: Data on biomechanical overload of the upper limb in animal facility operators are currently scanty. We decided to study this risk in a university animal facility. Eleven different tasks performed by operators were identified. For each of them, the biomechanical overload of the upper limb was evaluated by applying 4 different methods frequently used, hypothesising a task duration of 4 and 8 h. Then two 'typical' real working days of the examined facility were reconstructed, and the risk for operators was calculated using the OCRA Index, Checklist and Mini-Checklist. Considering the specific tasks, the results show some difference among methods, but the overall results show an acceptable/slight risk of biomechanical overload of the upper limb in animal facility operators during typical working days. Practitioner Summary: Upper limb biomechanical overload (UL-BO) is a neglected risk in animal facilities. In a university facility, 11 different tasks were identified, and 2 typical working days were analysed. Even if some task at increased risk may exist, during typical working days,  the overall results show that the risk of UL-BO in operators can be considered usually acceptable or, at worst, slight.
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Medicine, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Occhionero
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Medicine, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: Rinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghersi
authors.affiliation: b Health and Safety Committee , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prandini
authors.affiliation: c Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering , Tampere University of Technology , Tampere , Finland.
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Korpinen
authors.affiliation: a Occupational Medicine, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine , University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: Fabriziomaria
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gobba
mesh_terms: D017750:Animal Technicians; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D016272:Occupational Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: Biomechanical overload; animal facility; musculoskeletal disorders; upper limb