title: Risk Factors for Developing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders during Dairy Farming.
abstract: Dairy farming work involves frequent use of poor postures. These postures may increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders among dairy workers.
  
  
  
  To assess postural load during performance of various tasks related to dairy farming.
  
  
  
  This cross-sectional study was conducted on a dairy farm in Iran. In order to assess postural load, tasks related to dairy farming were divided into 3 categories: feeding, milking, and manure disposal. Each task was then divided into its constituent work subdivisions (tasks). Finally, the working posture for each work subdivision was evaluated using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA).
  
  
  
  Based on the results from the REBA score, the poorest risk scores (risk level 4) were associated with the following tasks: (1) manure disposal, (2) filling feed bags, and (3) pouring milk into a bucket. Other tasks such as filling corn containers, pouring corn into the milling machine, preparing the feed, pouring food into mangers, attaching the milking machine, and pouring milk from a bucket into a tank imposed high risk (risk level 3). The risk for the tasks of washing and disinfecting the udders were assessed as medium risks.
  
  
  
  The risk levels associated with most of the tasks on the studied farm were unacceptably high. Therefore, it is essential to implement ergonomic interventions to reduce risk levels of the tasks.
authors.affiliation: Kohkilouyeh va Boyer-Ahmad Health Care Management of Social Security Organization, Yasuj, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Taghavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mokarami
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Omran
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Colorado Injury Control Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.
authors.forename: Lorann
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stallones
authors.affiliation: Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Safety and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbaspour
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran. oryadhsn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marioryad
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003612:Dairying; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Dairy products; Human Engineering; Musculoskeletal diseases; Occupational injuries; Risk factors