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The objective of this pilot study was to determine the health needs of dairy farm workers and the feasibility of on-farm health risk screenings in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect survey responses concerning health needs, occupational, and economic characteristics among 300 dairy workers between April 2020 and July 2021. Participants were predominantly immigrant Hispanic (88.8%) males (83.0%) of approximately 34.4 (SD 9.9) years of age, worked 6.0 (SD 0.4; Range 3-7) days a week and 9.9 (SD 1.5; Range 6-13) hours a day, earning a mean hourly rate of $13.40 (SD $2.80). Participants reported interest in attending on-farm health risk screenings (93.8%) as well as receiving a COVID-19 vaccine if it became available (86.4%). Health service categories were ranked from: (1st "most important") preventative care (Mean Rank 2.3), (2nd) laboratory and diagnostic care (Mean Rank 2.6), (3rd) nutritional and physical fitness support (Mean Rank 2.8), (4th) mental health care (Mean Rank 3.4), and (5th) workplace interventions (Mean Rank 3.6). Participants reported obtaining health information predominantly from internet searches (32.0%) and social media (17.7%). Findings suggest there is need and interest for on-farm health risk screenings and education among immigrant dairy workers in the Texas Panhandle-South Plains region. Addressing known barriers to health should be paramount to the organization of on-farm health risk screenings.
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COVID-19 , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , Estudios Transversales , Granjas , Proyectos Piloto , Texas , AdultoRESUMEN
U.S. dairy workers suffer occupational injuries and illnesses at rates higher than the national average. Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) have been proposed as a way to reduce injuries and illnesses for businesses of all types and sizes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) On-Site Consultation Service provides assistance establishing an OHSMS to U.S. businesses. As part of this service, the consultants determine the level of OHSMS programming using the Safety and Health Program Assessment Worksheet (Revised OSHA Form 33). A total of 167 dairy industry records were obtained from OSHA. Forty-five of those records had both injury rate and OHSMS data. Using these records, a Spearman Rank-Order correlation was used to determine the strength and significance of the associations between prior injury rates and OSHA measured OHSMS programming level for dairy operations. Additional analyses were conducted to examine potential relationships between workforce size, injury rates, and OHSMS programming levels. There was a negative correlation between OHSMS programming level and injury rates, both for the overall OHSMS and by OHSMS component. Management Leadership was the OHSMS component most strongly associated with lower injury and illness rates. OHSMS interventions, as part of a comprehensive risk management approach for the U.S. dairy industry, may be warranted to help reduce the unacceptable number of injury and illnesses in the U.S. dairy industry. Further research is needed to determine if similar relationships between OHSMS programming and injury rates occur in other industries.
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Texas is a geographically large state with large human and livestock populations, many farms, a long coastal region, and extreme fluctuations in weather. During the last 15 years, the state of Texas has frequently suffered disasters or catastrophes causing extensive morbidity and economic loss. These disasters often have complicated consequences requiring multi-faceted responses. Recently, an interdisciplinary network of professionals from multiple academic institutions has emerged to collaborate in protecting Texas and the USA using a One Health approach. These experts are training the next generation of scientists in biopreparedness; increasing understanding of pathogens that cause repetitive harm; developing new therapeutics and vaccines against them; and developing novel surveillance approaches so that emerging pathogens will be detected early and thwarted before they can cause disastrous human and economic losses. These academic One Health partnerships strengthen our ability to protect human and animal health against future catastrophes that may impact the diverse ecoregions of Texas and the world.
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The occupational injury rate of the dairy industry (6.6 per 100 full-time workers) is twice that of the national average across all industries (3.3 per 100 full-time workers). While dairy farms are becoming larger in size and fewer in number, this rate has not changed. A scoping review was conducted to identify published reports of occupational safety interventions in the dairy industry. An additional criterion was that the study included an evaluation of the intervention. Out of 22 articles that met the first criterion (discussion of interventions specific to the dairy industry), 19 met the second of having an evaluative component. These 19 articles corresponded to 16 unique studies, because 4 articles corresponded to the same study. Of the 16 unique studies, only 3 had a comparison of treatment vs. control effects, and none measured the impact of the intervention on injuries and fatalities. Of the 16 interventions, 6 were focused on training or informational campaigns in which the evaluations primarily measured knowledge acquisition. Additionally, none of these studies had a sufficient sample size to compare injury rates as an outcome. Our study demonstrates that the literature lacks any rigorous evaluation of whether dairy safety interventions are making an impact on injury prevention. Given this, it is not possible to determine how work-related injuries and deaths can be prevented in the dairy industry. Recommendations for future research include incorporating rigorous evaluation into research designs and attempting to develop low-cost, unobtrusive methods for collecting data on intermediate and final outcomes.
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Salud Laboral , Traumatismos Ocupacionales , Industria Lechera , Humanos , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/epidemiología , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/prevención & controlRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium bovis (bTB) is a potential health hazard to dairy workers. This study uses the One Health wholistic framework for examining bovine tuberculosis (TB) and its relationship to human health. This approach can help bridge surveillance data gaps and contribute to disease control and prevention programs for dairy farm workers, cattle, and the environment. The primary objective of this study was to compare the self-reported history of TB among dairy workers in Bailey County, Texas, with occupational categories of risk and exposure to TB. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dairy workers. Job positions were used as a proxy for exposure to cattle-high and medium/low. We employed bivariate analyses to examine differences between groups using both the chi-square test and the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Of the 293 dairy workers invited, 77.0% (n = 225) participated. No statistically significant associations were found between job categories and reported history of TB exposure. Workers in the high group were younger, Guatemalan males with lower levels of formal education, more likely to be single with no children, and cohabitating with coworkers compared with the medium/low group. CONCLUSION/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Self-reported TB history among dairy workers is an imprecise measure of being previously diagnosed with TB. Dairy workers at risk for occupationally acquired TB could be tested for TB before employment and tested periodically thereafter, and more expeditiously treated if a positive test is obtained. Future studies should focus on the feasibility of offering on-farm health services, such as TB screening.
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Industria Lechera/estadística & datos numéricos , Autoinforme/estadística & datos numéricos , Tuberculosis/diagnóstico , Adulto , Animales , Bovinos , Estudios Transversales , Industria Lechera/organización & administración , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Estadísticas no Paramétricas , Texas/epidemiología , Tuberculosis/epidemiología , Zoonosis/diagnóstico , Zoonosis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Objective: To determine the knowledge of tuberculosis (TB) among dairy workers in Bailey County, Texas.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect 225 survey responses concerning knowledge of TB among dairy workers on 10 dairy farms in Bailey County, Texas. Subjects used iPad tablets to log responses to 15 demographic questions and a 17-item TB knowledge quiz, measured by: (1) TB characteristics, (2) TB transmission, (3) TB symptoms, (4) TB diagnosis, (5) TB treatment, and (6) bovine TB. A proxy for exposure, dairy workers were classified into categories of cattle exposure - high, medium, and low.Results: Relative to the medium/low group, workers in the high group tended to be younger (32.6 (SD 11.0)), Guatemalan (52.6%), K'iche' speaking (37.8%), males (89.1%) with less years living in the U.S. (10.8 [SD 12.5]) and lower levels of formal education completed (59.6% with no formal/elementary level). Overall, the average score was 7.1 (SD 4.9) out of 17 (41.8% out of 100.0%). Relative to one another, the medium/low group (8.0 (SD 4.6) out of 17) scored better than the high group (6.7 [SD 5.1] out of 17). No significant associations were found between the category of exposure and TB knowledge score.Conclusion: Deficiencies in TB knowledge were identified in all categories of exposure. TB training on dairy farms should include all measured tested in this study and should be administered to all workers regardless of the category of exposure.
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Tuberculosis Bovina , Tuberculosis , Animales , Bovinos , Estudios Transversales , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Masculino , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Texas/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Removal of teat-end debris is one of the most critical steps in the premilking process. We aimed to estimate inter- and intra-rater reliability of an observation-based rating scale of dairy parlor worker teat-cleaning performance. A nonrandom sample of 8 experienced raters provided teat swab debris ratings scored on a 4-point ordinal visual scale for 175 teat swab images taken immediately after teat cleaning and before milking unit attachment. To overcome the uncertainty associated with visual inspection and observation-based rating scales, we assessed the reliability of an automated observer-independent method to assess teat-end debris using digital image processing and machine learning techniques to quantify the type and amount of debris material present on each teat swab image. Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) was used to assess inter-rater score agreement on 175 teat swab images, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess both intra-rater score agreement and machine reliability. The reliability of debris scoring of teat swabs by raters was low (overall κ = 0.43), whereas the machine-based rating system demonstrated near-perfect reliability (Pearson r > 0.99). Our findings suggest that machine-based rating systems of worker performance are much more reliable than observational-based methods when evaluating premilking teat cleanliness. Teat swab image analysis technology can be further developed for training and quality control purposes to enable more efficient, reliable, and independent feedback on worker milking performance. As automated technologies are becoming more popular on dairy farms, machine-based teat cleanliness scoring could also be incorporated into automated milking systems.
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Bovinos , Industria Lechera/métodos , Higiene , Glándulas Mamarias Animales , Animales , Femenino , Leche , Pezones , Variaciones Dependientes del Observador , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Logging is recognized as one of the most dangerous industries in the United States (US), ranking among those with the highest occupational injury and fatality rates. Although logging operations in the Southeastern US have lower rates of injuries and fatalities compared to other regions of the US, due in part to the use of large machinery to fell timber as opposed to chainsaw felling, safety hazards continue to persist. The hazards present in the logging cut sites in which loggers operate may result in worker injury, illness, or fatality. Our objective was to develop, deliver, and evaluate a safety management and leadership training among logging contractors and supervisors using mobile tablets as a personal learning environment. METHODS: A safety leadership and management training vignette was developed based on previously collected focus group needs assessment data. A non-random sample of 31 male logging supervisors received the safety leadership and management training on a mobile tablet. Kirkpatrick Levels 1, 2, and 3 training effectiveness evaluations were performed. RESULTS: A statistically significant large effect size suggests safety knowledge was gained among training participants when comparing post-test scores to pre-test scores (Level-2). Participants rated their training experience favorably (Level-1), and applied knowledge gained from the training throughout their weekly work activities three months after training (Level-3). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the utilization of mobile learning techniques can be an effective means to deliver safety management and leadership training content to logging contractors and supervisors. Future trainings should be linguistically and literacy-level appropriate, as well as comprehensive in nature, including meaningful and relevant content. Our observations support the use of mobile devices as just one component of a more comprehensive health and safety management program for workers in the logging industry.
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Computadoras de Mano , Agricultura Forestal/educación , Liderazgo , Administración de la Seguridad/métodos , Adulto , Grupos Focales , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enseñanza/normasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The U.S. logging sector is among the most dangerous industrial sectors, with high fatality and non-fatal injury rates. Limited research has addressed work-related musculoskeletal disorders among logging machine operators (LMOs). The purpose of this study was to estimate the 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and the associated work-related risk factors among LMOs in the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas (Ark-La-Tex) logging region. METHODS: A self-administered 93-item questionnaire with six different sections: (1) demographics, (2) lifestyle and medical background, (3) work experience, (4) job training, (5) occupational heat-related stress, and (6) occupational injuries and MSS was administered to LMOs (n = 88) using Qualtrics Mobile Survey Software®. Poisson regression models were used to estimate crude prevalence ratios (PR), adjusted PR [aPR], and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Regarding organizational, ergonomic, and handling equipment occupational factors and 12-month MSS prevalence, the adjusted model controlled for age, BMI, smoking status, and drinking status. For organizational, the most problematic factors for the lower back were performing a task over and over (63.2%) and working very fast, for short periods (60.0%). For ergonomics, the most problematic factor for the lower extremities was awkward or cramped conditions (58.1%) and for the lower back was bending/twisting back awkward (55.9%). Last, for handling equipment, the most problematic for both the lower back and lower extremities was handling or grasping small objects (57.1%). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed associations between work-related MSS and specific job factors (e.g., organizational, ergonomic, handling equipment, etc.), extreme environmental conditions or environmental, and personal risk factors. In particular, study findings suggest lower back and lower extremities MSS are associated with the a majority of job-related risk factors, lower extremities with extreme environmental conditions, and neck and upper back with personal risk factors.
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Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/epidemiología , Adulto , Arkansas/epidemiología , Ergonomía , Agricultores/psicología , Femenino , Agricultura Forestal , Humanos , Louisiana/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/psicología , Enfermedades Profesionales/psicología , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/psicología , Factores de Riesgo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Texas/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Modern U.S. dairy farm operations present multiple safety hazards which may result in worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The U.S. industry trend towards large-herd milking operations, especially in the Western U.S., necessitates an increased number of workers on each farm. The U.S. dairy workforce is comprised of an increasing percentage of immigrant workers with limited English proficiency which presents a safety training challenge. Our objective was to develop, deliver and evaluate safety awareness training to U.S. dairy farm workers using mobile tablets as a personal learning environment. METHODS: A non-random sample of 1,436 dairy workers received safety awareness training on a mobile device platform. Kirkpatrick Levels 1, 2 and 3 training effectiveness evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Approximately 58.7% of training participants received a middle school education, and 22.7% were from Guatemala who reported K'iche' as their native language. A statistically significant large effect size suggests safety knowledge was gained among training participants when comparing post-test scores to pre-test scores (Level-2). Training participants rated their training experience favorably (Level-1), and applied knowledge gained in their daily work activities three months after training (Level-3). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the utilization of mobile learning techniques is an effective means to deliver safety awareness training content to dairy workers. Dairy worker safety training should be culturally, linguistically, and literacy appropriate and comprehensive in nature to include all applicable dairy safety hazards. Our observations support the use of mobile devices as just one component of a more comprehensive health and safety management program on farms.
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Computadoras de Mano , Industria Lechera/métodos , Agricultores/educación , Salud Laboral/economía , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Animales , Bovinos , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Femenino , Humanos , Lenguaje , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To assess the differences in the prevalence and incidence of low back pain (LBP) and associated disability among office workers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. METHODS: Data were collected at baseline (n=947, 93% response) in November 2007 and at follow-up after 12â months (n=853, 90% response). Six outcome measures were examined: baseline prevalence of (1) LBP in the past 12â months, (2) LBP in the past month and (3) disabling LBP in the past month; and at follow-up: (4) incidence of new LBP in the past month, (5) new disabling LBP and (6) persistent LBP. Differences in prevalence by country were characterised by ORs with 95% CIs, before and after adjustment for covariates. RESULTS: Prevalence of LBP in the past month among office employees in Costa Rica (46.0%) and Nicaragua (44.2%) was higher than in Spain (33.6%). Incidence of new LBP was 37.0% in Nicaragua (OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.57 to 3.95), 14.9% in Costa Rica (OR=0.74; 95% CI 0.41 to 1.34) and 19.0% in Spain (reference). Incidence of new disabling LBP was higher in Nicaragua (17.2%; OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.43 to 4.34) and Costa Rica (13.6%; OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.48) than Spain (7.7%), while persistence of LBP was higher only in Nicaragua. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of LBP and disabling LBP was higher in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan office workers than in Spain, but the incidence was higher mainly in Nicaragua. Measured sociodemographic, job-related and health-related variables only partly explained the differences between countries, and further research is needed to explore reasons for the remaining differences.
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Comparación Transcultural , Dolor de la Región Lumbar/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Salud Laboral , Adulto , Actitud Frente a la Salud/etnología , Costa Rica/epidemiología , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Incidencia , Estudios Longitudinales , Dolor de la Región Lumbar/fisiopatología , Dolor de la Región Lumbar/psicología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Nicaragua/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Profesionales/psicología , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Socioeconómicos , España/epidemiología , Lugar de Trabajo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
US large-herd dairy parlour workers experience a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to estimate and compare full-shift and task-specific muscle activity of the upper extremity among parlour workers. Surface electromyography data were recorded continuously throughout a full work shift for each participant (n = 60). For a subset of participants (n = 33), muscular effort was estimated for milking task cycles. Lower muscle activity levels and higher per cent muscular rest was observed among rotary parlour participants as compared to herringbone and parallel parlour participants for anterior deltoid, forearm flexor and forearm extensor muscles. These findings suggest rotary parlours may offer workstation designs or work organisational dynamics which may be more beneficial to the health and performance of the worker, as compared to parallel or herringbone parlours. Practitioner Summary: Study findings suggest milking parlour configurations present different biomechanical demands on workers which may influence worker health and performance. Our findings will enable more informed decisions regarding both engineering (e.g. parlour configuration or milking equipment) and administrative (e.g. work organisation) control strategies for large-herd milking parlours.
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Industria Lechera , Músculo Esquelético/fisiología , Extremidad Superior/fisiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Fenómenos Biomecánicos , Industria Lechera/métodos , Electromiografía , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Large-herd dairy parlor workers experience a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of milking unit design on upper extremity muscle activity during milking unit attachment. METHODS: Upper extremity muscle activity was recorded among U.S. large-herd parlor workers (n=11) using surface electromyography. Participants performed several milking unit attachment cycles with each of six milking unit designs. Muscle activity levels were then compared between unit designs. RESULTS: Mean muscle activity levels (in %MVE) across milking units ranged from 6.8 to 8.2 for the upper trapezius, 8.2 to 10.3 for the anterior deltoid, 13.8 to 17.2 for the forearm flexors, and 9.9 to 12.4 for the forearm extensors. Pairwise comparisons between milking units did not reveal statistically significant differences in muscle activity levels across milking unit designs. However, a general pattern of higher muscle activity was observed with specific milking units. Milking unit weight, milk tube spread, and teat cup shape may explain differences in muscle activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Milking unit design may influence muscle activity levels among parlor workers. Small reductions in muscle activity associated with milking unit design have the potential to delay the onset of fatigue or development of musculoskeletal health outcomes among parlor workers.
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Industria Lechera/instrumentación , Músculo Deltoides/fisiología , Músculos Superficiales de la Espalda/fisiología , Adulto , Fenómenos Biomecánicos , Electromiografía , Diseño de Equipo , Ergonomía , Antebrazo/fisiología , Humanos , Masculino , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The logging industry is recognized as one of the most dangerous professions in the U.S., but little is known about safety management practices on remote logging sites. METHODS: A total of six focus group sessions were held among logging supervisors and front line crew members in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas (N = 27 participants). RESULTS: Participants perceived that logging was a dangerous profession, but its risks had been mitigated in several ways, most notably through mechanization of timber harvesting. Log trucking-related incidents were widely identified as the primary source of risk for injury and death on logging work sites. Human error, in general, and being out of the machinery on the work site were highlighted as additional sources of risk. CONCLUSIONS: Participants indicated high levels of personal motivation to work in a safe manner but tended to underestimate workplace hazards and expressed widely varying levels of co-worker trust. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:58-68, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Accidentes de Trabajo/prevención & control , Agricultura Forestal , Salud Laboral , Seguridad , Adulto , Arkansas , Comunicación , Grupos Focales , Agricultura Forestal/instrumentación , Humanos , Capacitación en Servicio , Louisiana , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Motivación , Vehículos a Motor , Percepción , Investigación Cualitativa , Factores de Riesgo , Texas , ConfianzaRESUMEN
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of udder height on upper body kinematics and muscle activity during a simulated attachment task in a parallel parlor set up, and the effects of udder access method (back or side) on the task biomechanics. Twenty males performed the task under conditions that simulated three udder heights and two udder access methods. The muscular load and kinematics during the task confirmed that milking is a physically demanding task. Trunk flexion angle increased with decreasing udder height, and the erector spinae activation was higher when the udder was below shoulder height compared to at or above. Compared to accessing the udder from side of the cow (herringbone parlor style), accessing from behind (Parallel parlor style) was associated with lower trunk flexion, greater shoulder horizontal adduction, lower shoulder elevation, and greater anterior deltoid activation. Milking in herringbone parlor style and with the udder at or above shoulder level may help reduce strain on the trunk/neck.
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Effective methods to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses in animal production agriculture are sorely needed. One approach that may be helpful for agriculture producers is the adoption of occupational health and safety management systems. In this replication study, the authors compared the injury rates on 32 poultry growing operations with the level of occupational health and safety management system programming at each farm. Overall correlations between injury rates and programming level were determined, as were correlations between individual management system subcomponents to ascertain which parts might be the most useful for poultry producers. It was found that, in general, higher levels of occupational health and safety management system programming were associated with lower rates of workplace injuries and illnesses, and that Management Leadership was the system subcomponent with the strongest correlation. The strength and significance of the observed associations were greater on poultry farms with more complete management system assessments. These findings are similar to those from a previous study of the dairy production industry, suggesting that occupational health and safety management systems may hold promise as a comprehensive way for producers to improve occupational health and safety performance. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of such systems to reduce farm work injuries and illnesses. These results are timely given the increasing focus on occupational safety and health management systems.
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Enfermedades de los Trabajadores Agrícolas/epidemiología , Traumatismos Ocupacionales/epidemiología , Administración de la Seguridad/estadística & datos numéricos , Animales , Granjas , Humanos , Salud Laboral , Aves de Corral , Administración de la Seguridad/métodos , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The goal of this multiphased research is to develop methods to comprehensively determine the economic impact of hearing impairment and noise-induced hearing injury among active duty U.S. Service Members. Several steps were undertaken to develop a framework and model for economic burden analysis: (1) a literature review identifying studies reporting the cost of health conditions and injuries in the Department of Defense, (2) consultation with a panel of subject matter experts who reviewed these cost items, and (3) discussions with DoD data stewards and review of relevant data dictionaries and databases. A Markov model was developed to represent the cumulative economic effect of events along the career span, such as retraining after hearing impairment and injury, by synthesizing inputs from various sources. The model, as developed and proposed in this study, will be a valuable decision-making tool for the DoD to identify high-risk groups, take proactive measures, and develop focused education, customized equipping, and return-to-duty and reintegration programs, thereby maximizing the retention of skilled, experienced, and mission-ready Service Members.
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Costo de Enfermedad , Pérdida Auditiva/economía , Personal Militar , Ruido en el Ambiente de Trabajo/efectos adversos , Acúfeno/economía , Costos y Análisis de Costo , Pérdida Auditiva Provocada por Ruido/economía , Humanos , Ruido en el Ambiente de Trabajo/economía , Estados Unidos , United States Department of DefenseRESUMEN
Dairy production in the United States is moving towards large-herd milking operations, resulting in an increase in task specialization and work demands. The objective of this project was to provide preliminary evidence of the association of a number of specific job conditions that commonly characterize large-herd parlor milking operations with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). A modified version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was administered to assess MSS prevalence among 450 US large-herd parlor workers. Worker demographics and MSS prevalences were generated. Prevalence ratios were also generated to determine associations of a number of specific job conditions that commonly characterize large-herd parlor milking operations with work-related MSS. Work-related MSS are prevalent among large-herd parlor workers, since nearly 80% report 12-month prevalences of one or more symptoms, which are primarily located in the upper extremities, specifically shoulders and wrist/hand. Specific large-herd milking parlor job conditions are associated with MSS in multiple body regions, including performing the same task repeatedly, insufficient rest breaks, working when injured, static postures, adverse environmental conditions, and reaching overhead. These findings support the need for administrative and engineering solutions aimed at reducing exposure to job risk factors for work-related MSS among large-herd parlor workers.
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Enfermedades de los Trabajadores Agrícolas/epidemiología , Industria Lechera , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/epidemiología , Adulto , Industria Lechera/métodos , Agricultores , Granjas , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Recursos Humanos , Lugar de TrabajoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of upper extremity musculoskeletal pain (UEMP) and related disability among office workers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Spain. METHODS: Data from the multinational Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID) study on 947 (93%) participants at baseline with 90% follow-up after 12â months were employed. Logistic regression was used to estimate the associations (ORs and corresponding 95% CIs) between country and six outcomes: baseline prevalence of (1) UEMP in past 12â months, (2) UEMP in past month and (3) disabling UEMP in past month; (4) incidence of new UEMP at follow-up; (5) incidence of new disabling UEMP at follow-up and (6) persistence of UEMP at follow-up, after adjustment for sociodemographic, job-related and health-related covariates. RESULTS: Baseline prevalence of UEMP in the past month was higher in Costa Rica (53.6%) (OR=1.89; 95% CI 1.36 to 2.62) and Nicaragua (51.9%) (OR=1.74; 95% CI 1.28 to 2.35) than in Spain (38.4%). Compared to Spain (33.2%), the incidence of new UEMP was 50.4% in Costa Rica (OR=2.04; 95% CI 1.34 to 3.12) and 60.2% in Nicaragua (OR=3.04; 95% CI 2.06 to 4.50). The incidence of disabling UEMP was higher in Nicaragua (OR=2.57; 95% CI 1.50 to 4.41) and Costa Rica (OR=2.16; 95% CI 1.22 to 3.84) when compared to Spain. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of UEMP was approximately twofold higher and its incidence twofold to threefold higher in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as compared with Spain. Between-country differences were only partially explained by the covariates analysed. Research is needed to explore other aspects of work and cultural attributes that might explain the residual differences in UEMP.