Related Experiment Videos
A discomfort survey in a poultry-processing plant
1Stuart-Buttle Ergonomics, 712 Salter Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA.
Applied Ergonomics
|February 1, 1994
Summary
A poultry plant discomfort survey revealed significant musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the back and arms, indicating poor job design. Findings highlight the need for broad ergonomics intervention, especially for women in manual material-handling tasks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Ergonomics
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Musculoskeletal pain is linked to poor job design, including awkward postures and overuse.
- Poultry processing plants present unique ergonomic challenges.
- Existing medical records may not capture all work-related discomfort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and prioritize areas for ergonomics intervention in a poultry-processing plant.
- To determine the relationship between employee discomfort and specific job tasks.
- To assess the effectiveness of a basic discomfort survey for identifying ergonomic issues.
Main Methods:
- A discomfort survey was administered to 699 employees, accommodating varying literacy levels.
- Employees reported job satisfaction, overall discomfort, shaded body areas of discomfort, and intensity.
- Jobs were categorized into hand tool, hand manipulation, material handling, and mixed task types.
Main Results:
- 65% of employees reported discomfort, with the back showing the highest mean maximum intensity, followed by the arm.
- Women performing manual material-handling tasks reported significant arm discomfort.
- No other task-specific effects on discomfort were found, contrary to expectations.
Conclusions:
- The study identified significant ergonomic issues in poultry processing, particularly affecting women in manual material handling.
- The findings question the benefit of job rotation in plants needing major redesign.
- A basic discomfort survey effectively indicated ergonomic problems missed by medical records.