Open access publications in the SLU publication database

Abstract

During the last decades, Swedish livestock farming has undergone considerable structural changes and technical development, which have influenced the work environment and health of the workers in several ways. The general aim of the studies was to investigate the work environment and health among Swedish livestock workers on large modern dairy and pig farms. The studies were mainly based on questionnaires. The results showed that the livestock workers reported high frequencies of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), especially in the upper extremities and in the back, and especially among the females. Body height or repetitive work among dairy farm workers and awkward working postures or being exposed to dust among pig farm workers were identified as potential risk factors for MSD in the upper extremities. No risk factors were identified for MSD in the back. Machine milking among the dairy farm workers and manual raking of manure among the pig farm workers were the most time-consuming work tasks and the tasks with the highest rated physical work strain (PWS). Milking in a rotary system was found to be demanding with respect to high values of velocities and repetitiveness and almost no time for rest for hands/wrists, which might be contributing factors for the development of symptoms and injuries in the hands. The livestock workers assessed their psychosocial work environment and mental health as good, although the quality of leadership, feedback and social support was experienced as being slightly poorer on dairy farms compared to pig farms. No psychosocial risk factors were identified for MSD. Dairy farm workers working with healthy cows had poorer physical and mental health than those working with less healthy dairy cows. The livestock workers were contented with their psychosocial work environment; however, they reported high frequencies of MSD. The prevalence of MSD seemed to be associated with the physical rather than the psychosocial work environment.