Postural evaluation in a poultry farm for broiler chickens

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Ergonomics
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Animal Husbandry

Background:

• Poultry farming, particularly for broiler chickens, involves repetitive and physically demanding tasks.
• Understanding the ergonomic risks associated with various farming operations is essential for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
• Previous research has highlighted the need for ergonomic assessments in agricultural settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the working postures and handgrip types of broiler chicken farmers across nine distinct farming operations.
• To identify specific tasks and body segments associated with high ergonomic risk.
• To provide recommendations for improving the working environment in poultry farms.

Main Methods:

• Observational study analyzing working postures for 14 body segments and 14 finger categories.
• Assessment of 9 different operations within broiler chicken farming.
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of observed postures and grip types.

Main Results:

• Farmers commonly exhibited bent postures across multiple body segments and frequently used power grips.
• Operations like detaching/attaching feeder bases and handling chicks involved sustained squatting and trunk bending.
• Tasks such as shoveling feces and unloading chicks resulted in repeated trunk flexion.

Conclusions:

• The study identified significant ergonomic risks in broiler chicken farming due to prevalent awkward postures and power grips.
• Workplace design modifications, including elevating working heights, are recommended to mitigate these risks.
• Ergonomic interventions are necessary to enhance the health and safety of poultry farmers.