The effect of different work-rest schedules on ergonomic risk in poultry slaughterhouse workers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rest breaks are an organizational measure to reduce the high risk of upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) to which slaughterhouse workers are subject. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of different work-rest schedules on ergonomic risk in poultry slaughterhouse workers. METHODS: A total of 36 repetitive tasks was selected in a Brazilian slaughterhouse. Using the Occupational Repetitive Action (OCRA) Checklist, the level of exposure of workers to risk factors of UL-WMSDs in two work-rest schedules was evaluated. In the real condition, 6 rest breaks of 10 minutes were performed, and in the simulated condition, 3 rest breaks of 20 minutes. RESULTS: The right side of the body presented a higher score on the OCRA Checklist (72%of the tasks) than the left side (p = 0.037) in the real condition. Additionally, the OCRA score (18.3±2.5) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than the simulated condition (21.9±3.0). It was verified that the risk level in simulated condition remained the same in 13 (36%) tasks, while in 23 (64%) tasks there was an increase in the risk level. CONCLUSIONS: Work-rest schedule of 6 breaks of 10 minutes was better than 3 breaks of 20 minutes to reduce the risk of UL-WMSDs in poultry slaughterhouse workers.

Evidencia sobre instrumentos para medir el trabajo repetitivo y los efectos que provoca a nivel músculo esquelético: una revisión de alcance

“…Los hallazgos encontrados en la evidencia sobre los instrumentos disponibles muestran que el método OCRA, utilizado en 5 de los 7 estudios de la revisión, es uno de los principales, útiles y más frecuentemente instrumento utilizado para evaluar o estudiar la presencia de movimientos repetitivo para EESS, analizando la exposición de los trabajadores a FR para desarrollar TME, estableciendo un nivel de riesgo (Dias et al, 2020;Dias et al, 2021;dos Reis et al, 2020;Intranuovo et al, 2019;Jafari et al, 2021). En 3 de los estudios encontrados, las evaluaciones con OCRA se realizaron en trabajadores de mataderos avícolas (Dias et al, 2020;Dias et al, 2021;dos Reis et al, 2020), 1 estudio en trabajadores con tareas de fileteado y envasado de anchoas (Intranuovo et al, 2019) y 1 estudio en trabajadores cultivadores de hortalizas (Jafari et al, 2021). Este método considera como FR para EESS: duración de la tarea repetitiva (multiplicador de duración), falta de períodos de recuperación (multiplicador de recuperación), frecuencia de acciones, demanda de fuerza, posturas inapropiadas y otros FR adicionales (Días et al, 2020;Días et al, 2021).…”

Risk Analysis of Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders in Industrial Skin Measurement Workers Using the Assessment of Repetitive Task Method

“…This improvement is very useful for operators so that they do not feel tired easily and can reduce injuries to muscles by doing muscle stretching movements. Short breaks in between work will restore body freshness so that workers can work more productively [14][15][16]. When taken properly, taking a break is incredibly advantageous for everybody involved.…”

Ergonomic Factors Which Affect the Work Productivity of Clove Flower Harvesters

“…(1) balanced nutrition [19], (2) considering muscle strength and biomechanics, (3) evaluating body posture and workplace physiological design [20], (4) social and sociological conditions [21], (5) working environment conditions [22], (6) work and rest time and related conditions [23], (7) information conditions and interaction between individuals and visual performances [24], as well as (8) human-machine interaction as a means of exchanging information between workers and equipment [25].…”