Open access publications in the SLU publication database

The study investigates the use of a collection and treatment trolley for piglets in connection with
castration of piglets. The importance of good and ergonomically designed tools and equipment
in pig confinements can probably reduce the risk for development of musculoskeletal disorders
(MSD). During the last 20 years the number of pig farms has decreased and at the same time the
herd sizes and the number of livestock workers have increased (Statistic Sweden (SCB), 2007).
As a consequence, the livestock workers have more pigs to attend and manage, nurture and treat
- and they may spend more of their daily work in these large confinements. This also means that
the repetitive work e.g. treatment, grinding of teeth and castration of piglets increases. These
mentioned work tasks are difficult to avoid because they are an important part of the pig
farming.
A study conducted by researchers at the Work Sciences Group in Alnarp showed that
musculoskeletal symptoms among livestock workers on pig farms were mainly located to the
upper extremities (62%) and the back (57%).
This study is based on telephone interviews with 30 piglet producers and their livestock
workers. A questionnaire of thirteen questions was designed to investigate whether the piglet
producers and livestock workers used a trolley for collection and treatment of the piglets in
connection with the work task, castration.
The results from the interviews were compiled in a matrix and then used for further analysis.
Grouping of the results was drawn from the function and application of the trolleys. The results
of the interview study showed that piglet producers and livestock workers mainly used four
different trolleys and ways to work with the collection and castration of piglets. About half of
the producers and livestock workers (47 %) used some kind of trolley for collection and
castration of piglets. The majority of the producers and livestock workers (87 %) used a special
type of work bench for castration and only one fifth (17 %) neither used a trolley nor a work
bench for castration.
The study showed that the piglet producers and livestock workers disagreed to whether the
work postures in relation to collection and castration of piglets were ergonomic. Some of the
producers and livestock workers stated that it was better to carry out treatment and castration
without a trolley than with a trolley. Some of the respondents were not willing to replace the
trolley. Even though, the conclusion of the results is that there ought to be several advantages
for using an ergonomic trolley in connection with collection, treatment and castration of piglets.