Poor safety climate, long work hours, and musculoskeletal discomfort among Latino horse farm workers

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and work-related factors associated with elevated MSD among Latino thoroughbred farm workers. Participants (N = 225) were recruited using a community-based purposive sampling approach to participate in in-person interviews. Of these workers, 85% experienced MSD. MSD was divided into tertiles; the upper tertile was defined as elevated. Multivariable Poisson regression revealed associations between any elevated MSD and longer tenure on horse farms, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated neck/back MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated upper extremity MSD was associated with age and poor safety climate. Elevated lower extremity MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and being female. Musculoskeletal discomfort is common among these workers. Improving safety climate and minimizing long work hours is recommended.

Analysis of Thoroughbred horse farm workers’ compensation insurance claims in Kentucky: Injury frequency, cost, lost time, and associated occupational factors

“…We also found a high proportion of claims were due to struck or strained by causes of injury (75% of claims), sprain, strain, or contusion nature of injuries (67% of claims), and injuries to the wrists, hands, feet, ankles, or toes (30% of claims). These injury patterns are consistent with past studies among Latino Thoroughbred workers that report frequent sprains/strains and contusions, upper and lower extremity injuries, as well as a high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort 2,3,6 . Our findings underscore the importance of safe work practices when working in close contact with Thoroughbred horses, such as frequent reiteration of safety messages and the use of worker protective gear (ie, steel toe boots, helmets, and padding), to lessen injury frequency and severity.…”

“…Past studies that detail self‐reported health conditions among Thoroughbred horse workers reveal that upper and lower extremity injuries are the most commonly reported injured body parts and that sprains/strains and contusions are the most commonly reported injury diagnoses 2,3 . Furthermore, musculoskeletal discomfort is prevalent among Thoroughbred workers, with 85% of Latino workers reporting any musculoskeletal discomfort in the past year, specifically originating in the regions of the neck/back (66% of respondents), upper extremities (68%), and lower extremities (60%) 6 . Although the above injuries may be somewhat minor in severity, overtime chronic injuries and overuse may manifest as quite severe, requiring expensive medical treatment and time off from work to heal.…”

The Abysmal Organization of Work and Work Safety Culture Experienced by North Carolina Latinx Women in Farmworker Families

“…It is lower (mean of 13.66 versus 16.77) than that found among another sample of employed Latinx women in farmworker families [56]. Similarly, it is worse than that reported by other research focused on Latinx workers [10,79]. Most of these other studies have focused on adult males.…”

Occupational Safety Climate in the Swedish Equine Sector

“…Research on the safety climate has been increasing during the 21st century [ 34 ] and has produced growing evidence that the safety climate is associated with safety practices [ 35 ], accidents [ 36 , 37 ], musculoskeletal disorders [ 38 ] and unsafe behaviour [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Therefore, assessing the safety climate can be an effective tool for evaluating the safety performance in a workplace, identifying safety problems and planning measures to improve safety.…”