A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was carried out to explore the relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and cold exposure in a large meat processing company in Colombia. All workers in the packing areas (n=162) were recruited: 50 workers from very cold areas (+2 C) and 112 workers from less severely exposed areas (range +8 C to +12 C). Thermal environmental conditions were measured in both areas. By Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, there was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the more exposed workers, especially for low back, neck and shoulders. The prevalence ratios for neck and low back symptoms interfering with usual work were 11.2 (95% CI 1.3-93.4) and 4.5 (95% CI 1.6-12.4), respectively. Job features that could not be addressed in this study included work shift (day versus night), adequacy of thermal protective clothing, type of contract with the company and psychosocial conditions at work. The association between cold exposure and musculoskeletal problems is plausible but the mechanism is still obscure and there is a need for further research, both experimental and epidemiologic (preferably cohort studies). Relevance to industryIndustries that have environments with cold exposure might consider measures such as warm rooms for breaks and thermal protective clothing as part of a program to reduce the prevalence of workers' musculoskeletal symptoms. r

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Objectives. To identify health problems among workers performing cleaning, maintenance and machine operation tasks inside cold storage rooms with temperatures between -43 ºC and -62 ºC in a freeze drying coffee company. Study design. Descriptive study. Methods. All 24 workers working inside the cold stores participated in the study. A questionnaire about cold-related health problems and the standardized Nordic questionnaire assessing muscle complaints were completed by all exposed workers. A physical examination was performed on each worker. Results. The most relevant cold-related health problem was episodic finger symptoms (50%), followed by respiratory symptoms (21%), peripheral circulation symptoms (20%), and repeated pain in the musculoskeletal system (12%). Two subjects had a previous diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). The prevalence of musculoskeletal complains in the neck and low back was 21% in each. Conclusions. The prevalence found for various complaints among the freeze drying coffee workers implies that the cold conditions inside cold stores may present a real risk of cold-related health problems and, due to lowered concentration level, for injuries, too. Greater efforts should be made to minimize the cold exposure by designing automation processes to prevent continuous exposure to cold during freeze drying process. In addition, improving the cold-protective clothing and guaranteeing its appropriate use will reduce health risks. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2008;67(2-3):279-287)

The present study was designed to find out if cooling and/or clothing affect the vertical trajectories and muscle function of the upper arm during repetitive light work. Twelve female subjects performed a one-handed lifting task for 60 min while standing in front of a table with six target angles (30 degrees to 220 degrees ). The experiment was carried out in a climatic chamber in three different conditions: at 10 degrees C (C), at 25 degrees C (TN), and at 10 degrees C dressed in cold-protective clothing (C(p)). Skin and rectal temperatures were measured continuously. The vertical trajectories of the head, shoulder, elbow, and wrist on the right side of the body were recorded. Muscular strain (averaged EMG, a-EMG) and EMG gaps in eight muscles on the right upper arm were measured. The variation of the vertical trajectory amplitude of the upper arm measured from the elbow was significantly higher (at 200 degrees ) both at C and C(p) (50 and 25% respectively) and in shoulder (at 220 degrees angle) at C (33%) compared with TN (P < 0.05). Both C and C(p) increased a-EMG and reduced the number and duration of EMG gaps significantly in all muscles studied. In conclusion, in repetitive tasks the high mean vertical trajectory and changes in the amplitude of the trajectory of the upper arm at C and C(p) compared with TN were associated with increased muscular strain and reduced number of EMG gaps (more continuous activation of given muscle fibers). The changes in trajectories may serve as indicator of a risk for local muscle fatigue.