Ache, Pain, and Discomfort

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of perceived symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among workers on large-scale dairy and pig farms in Sweden (herd size more than 300 cows and 450 sows) and to identify potential risk factors in the development of MSD. A study based on questionnaires was carried out among 42 workers on 10 large dairy farms and among 37 workers on 10 large pig farms in Southern Sweden during the autumn of 2002. Most importantly, the study showed that 86% of the dairy workers and 78% of the pig workers reported some kind of MSD during a period of 12 months prior to the study. The most frequently reported MSD among both the dairy and the pig workers were in the "upper extremities" (52% and 62%, respectively) especially in the shoulders and in "the back" (60% and 57%, respectively) especially in the lower back. Furthermore, being of short stature, doing repetitive work, working in awkward positions and being exposed to dust were significant risk factors in having MSD among the workers in this study. Thus, working with many cows and sows on large-scale farms in Sweden can be considered as a high risk job with regard to MSD.

Work-related musculoskeletal discomfort of dairy farmers and employed workers

“…In this study, both farmers and workers reported overall high frequencies of work-related MSD and mainly in the lower back, shoulder, neck, knees, and hand/wrists and discomfort from ergonomic work factors such as repetitive and monotonous work. Comparably high frequencies of MSD have also been found in several national and international studies on dairy farmers and workers [4,10,11,18,19,31]. …”

“…It is well-known that working with dairy farming, milking in particular, is physically demanding, associated with difficult working postures and movements, repetitive and monotonous work tasks, and also associated with injuries caused by slips, trips and falls on slippery floors or barn fittings, which constitutes a risk factor for development of MSD [4,11,18-26]. …”

“…MSD are common among dairy farmers and farm workers, especially MSD in the lower back, shoulders, hands/wrists and knees [4,11,13,19,30-35]. Results from a longitudinal study of 1,465 dairy farmers active in 1988 and of 686 farmers active in Scania (the most southerly province of Sweden) in 2002 showed that the incidence of MSD had increased slightly, to 83% of males and 90% of females by 2002 [31], compared with 81% and 84%, respectively, in 1988.…”

“…Results from a longitudinal study of 1,465 dairy farmers active in 1988 and of 686 farmers active in Scania (the most southerly province of Sweden) in 2002 showed that the incidence of MSD had increased slightly, to 83% of males and 90% of females by 2002 [31], compared with 81% and 84%, respectively, in 1988. Kolstrup et al [4] found that MSD were frequently reported by dairy farm workers (86%), most often in the upper extremities (52%) and the back (60%). Female dairy farm workers reported MSD more frequently in all body parts, especially the shoulders (71%) and wrists/hands (57%), than their male colleagues (36% and 11%, respectively).…”

“…Several studies have shown that milking in parlours is physically strenuous for the upper extremities, especially among females [4,20-22,32,36,37]. Work tasks such as udder drying, pre-milking and attaching the teat cups are reported to be the most physically demanding tasks for the hands/wrists during milking in parlour systems, especially among females [20].…”