Skip to main content

Risk of Developing Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Meat Processing Plant

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors (AHFE 2017)

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the risk of developing UL-WMSDs in a pig meat processing plant using the OCRA checklist. The study was conducted in a company with 3000 workers. The average of occupational repetitive actions performed by workers was 64.1 ± 14.3 per minute, representing nine points in the OCRA’s scale. The average score of OCRA’s checklist was 22.2 ± 7.7, which is considered as a moderate risk. The scores for the right upper limb (22.2 ± 7.8 - moderate risk) did not differ (p = 0.192) from the left upper limb (21.6 ± 8.1 - moderate risk). Considering the five risk categories proposed by the OCRA method, six work tasks were considered as high risk (27%) and 16 represented moderate risk (73%). When performing simulations, in 19 of the 22 activities it was possible to reduce the risk of UL-WMSDs to very low levels, by reducing only the working pace (−46.7 ± 14.8%).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Brazilian Association of Animal Protein: Annual report (2016). http://www.abpa-br.com.br

  2. Sardá, S., Ruiz, R.C., Kirtschig, G.: Juridical tutelage concerning the health of meat packing workers: public service considerations. Acta Fisiatr. 16, 59–65 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Quandt, S.A., Grzywacz, J.G., Marin, A., Carrillo, L., Coates, M.L., Burke, B., Arcury, T.A.: Illnesses and injuries reported by Latino poultry workers in western North Carolina. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49(5), 343–351 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Stoy, D.W., Aspen, J.: Force and repetition measurement of ham boning. Relationship to musculoskeletal symptoms. AAOHN J. 47(6), 254–260 (1999)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lipscomb, H., Kucera, K., Epling, C., Dement, J.: Upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders among a cohort of women employed in poultry processing. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51(1), 24–36 (2008)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Magnusson, M., Ortengren, R., Andersson, G.B., Petersén, I., Sabel, B.: An ergonomic study of work methods and physical disorders among professional butchers. Appl. Ergon. 18, 43–50 (1987)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Punnett, L., Wegman, D.H.: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: the epidemiologic evidence and the debate. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 14, 13–23 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. OSHA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (1993). http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3123.pdf

  9. Sundstrup, E., Jakobsen, M.D., Jay, K., Brandt, M., Andersen, L.L.: High intensity physical exercise and pain in the neck and upper limb among slaughterhouse workers: cross-sectional study. BioMed Res. Int. 218546 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Tirloni, A.S., Reis, D.C., Santos, J.B., Reis, P.F., Barbosa, A., Moro, A.R.P.: Body discomfort in poultry slaughterhouse workers. Work 41, 2420–2425 (2012)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Reis, P.F., Peres, L.S., Tirloni, A.S., Reis, D.C., Estrázulas, J.A., Rossato, M., Moro, A.R.P.: Influence of anthropometry on meat-packing plant workers: an approach to the shoulder joint. Work 41, 4612–4617 (2012)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Sundstrup, E., Jakobsen, M.D., Brandt, M., Jay, K., Aagaard, P., Andersen, L.L.: Associations between biopsychosocial factors and chronic upper limb pain among slaughterhouse workers: cross sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 17, 104 (2016)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Kyeremateng-Amoah, E., Nowell, J., Lutty, A., Lees, P.S.J., Silbergeld, E.K.: Laceration injuries and infections among workers in the poultry processing and pork meatpacking industries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57(6), 669–682 (2014)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Cummings, A.: Hand, wrist, forearm and finger occupational injuries in pork processing: comparison by worksite and source of injury. Digital Commons, pp. 1–15, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lander, L., Sorock, G., Stentz, T.L., Smith, L.M., Mittleman, M., Perry, M.J.: A case-crossover study of laceration injuries in pork processing. Occup. Environ. Med. 69, 410–416 (2012)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Frost, P., Andersen, J.H., Nielsen, V.K.: Occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome among slaughterhouse workers. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health 24(4), 285–292 (1998)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Moore, J.S., Garg, A.: Upper extremity disorders in a pork processing plant: relationships between job risk factors and morbidity. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 55(8), 703–715 (1994)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Colombini, D., Occhipinti, E.: Preventing upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs): new approaches in job (re)design and current trends in standardization. Appl. Ergon. 37, 441–450 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Occhipinti, E., Colombini, D., Cairoli, S., Baracco, A.: Proposta e validazione preliminare diuna checklist per la stima dell’esposizione lavorativa a movimenti e sforzi ripetuti degli artisuperiori. Med. Lavoro 91, 470–485 (2000)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mohammadi, G.: Risk factors for the prevalence of the upper limb and neck work-related musculoskeletal disorders among poultry slaughter workers. J. Musculoskelet. Res. 15(1), 1–8 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Reis, D.C., Moro, A.R.P., Ramos, E., Reis, P.F.: Upper limbs exposure to biomechanical overload: occupational risk assessment in a poultry slaughterhouse. In: Goonetilleke, R., Karwowski, W. (eds.) Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors, vol. 489, 7th edn., pp. 275–282. Springer, Florida (2016)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  22. Reis, D.C., Reis, P.F., Moro, A.R.P.: Assessment of risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in poultry slaughterhouse. In: Arezes, P. et al. (eds.) Proceedings Book of the International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene - SHO2015, vol. 1, 1st edn., pp. 294–296. Sociedade Portuguesa de Segurança e Higiene Ocupacionais, Guimarães, Portugal (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Reis, D.C., Ramos, E., Reis, P.F., Hembecker, P.K., Gontijo, L.A., Moro, A.R.P.: Assessment of risk factors of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders in poultry slaughterhouse. Proc. Manuf. 3, 4309–4314 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Pinetti, A.C.H., Buczek, M.D.R.M.: Ergonomic work analysis in a Brazilian poultry slaughterhouse cutting room. In: Proceedings 19th Triennial Congress of the IEA, pp. 1–7. IEA, Melbourne (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Colombini, D., Occhipinti, E., Fanti, M.: Método Ocra para análise e a prevenção do risco pormovimentos repetitivos: manual para a avaliação e a gestão do risco. LTr, São Paulo (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Colombini, D., Occhipinti, E.: Risultati della valutazione del rischio e del danno in gruppi dilavoratori esposti, in diversi comparti lavorativi, a movimenti e sforzi ripetuti degli artisuperiori. Med. Lavoro 95, 233–246 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Pellegrini, M., Panzone, I., Billeri, L., Innocenti, A.: Risk assessment of repetitive and strain movements of the upper limbs in a pig head processing company. Prev. Res. 3(2), 71–73 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kilbom, A.: Repetitive work of the upper extremity: Part II—the scientific basis (knowledgebase) for the guide. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 14, 59–86 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Brasil: Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, Portaria MTE n. 555, de 18 de abril de 2013, Norma Regulamentadora 36. Segurança e Saúde no Trabalho em Empresas de Abate e Processamento de Carnes e Derivados, Diário Oficial da União (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Vergara, L.G.L., Pansera, T.R.: Ergonomics analysis of the activity of boning shoulder in a pig slaughter-house in the city of Ipiranga-SC. Work 41, 703–709 (2012)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Vitta, A., Bertaglia, R.S., Padovani, C.R.: Effects of two educational programs on musculoskeletal symptoms in office workers. Braz. J. Phys. Ther. 12, 20–25 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Hagberg, M., Tornqvist, E.W., Toomingas, A.: Self-reported reduced productivity due to musculoskeletal symptoms: associations with workplace and individual factors among white-collar computer users. J. Occup. Rehabil. 12, 151–162 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diogo Cunha dos Reis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Cite this paper

dos Reis, D.C., Tirloni, A.S., Ramos, E., Moro, A.R.P. (2018). Risk of Developing Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Meat Processing Plant. In: Goonetilleke, R., Karwowski, W. (eds) Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors. AHFE 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 602. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60825-9_30

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60825-9_30

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-60824-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-60825-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics