Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Job Factors Among Large-Herd Dairy Milkers

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Agriculture workers
• dairy
• ergonomics
• farm
• injury
• musculoskeletal
• public health
• safety

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their appreciation to the dairy owners and workers who were willing to participate in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant no. U50/OH008085). This project represents a collaborative effort of researchers from three NIOSH-funded Agricultural Centers: High Plains and Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS), Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education (SWAG), and Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.