Ergonomic interventions for the reduction of back and shoulder biomechanical loading when weighing calves

Abstract Workers in the agriculture industry have exposure to many of the recognized risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The focus of the current project was to develop and evaluate devices designed to reduce exposure to risk factors during the process of weighing beef calves. Ergonomic task analysis of current techniques used to weigh these calves indicated significant stress in the cervicobrachial and lumbar regions. Two ergonomic interventions—the “Handle Attachment” and the “Lever Arm”—were developed to improve the body posture of the lifter and reduce joint loading. A laboratory study and field evaluations were conducted for each of these designs. In the laboratory, muscle activities were quantified for the major muscles of cervicobrachial region, the lumbar region and knee extensor muscle group during the performance of the lifting task while using the two new interventions and the standard method. In the field evaluations, farmworkers used these devices and biomechanical models of the whole body postures were developed to quantify changes in the joint loading when using the interventions. The results show that both intervention techniques reduce the required muscle activity (8–71.6% reduction for the muscles of the cervicobrachial region, 2–43% reduction for the muscles of the lumbar region) and the joint loading (33–100% reduction in shoulder abduction moment and 42–57% reduction in spine compression) as compared to the standard method. Overall, the farmworkers noted that the “Handle Attachment” design is less cumbersome to move and use than the “Lever Arm” design, but laboratory study and field study revealed that the “Lever Arm” design provides the highest reduction in muscle activity and joint loading. Using either intervention while performing this task should decrease the risk to the low back and shoulders. Relevance to Industry The ergonomic intervention research described in this report documents a reduction in exposure to risk factors for shoulder and low back injury in an at-risk population in the agriculture industry.