Preliminary ergonomic evaluation of barn tasks in intensive swine production

J Agromedicine. 2013;18(4):368-78. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2013.839977.

Abstract

This exploratory pilot study analyses musculoskeletal symptoms and working exposures of intensive pig barn tasks. Methods included a questionnaire phase to gather information about workers' symptoms and video analysis to assess exposures during typical production tasks. Ninety-two percent of workers reported symptoms in the last 12 months in any body part; 58% reported interruption of work activities in the last 12 months. The task "moving dead pigs" exceeded 3400 N during 6 of 18 observations. Frequency of hand gripping and trunk bending >45 degrees were moderate to high in many tasks. These biomechanical exposures suggest a need for further study, particularly on interventions to limit bending, lifting, and repetitive gripping.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / etiology
  • Agriculture*
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Ergonomics / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Swine
  • Young Adult