Rheumatic complaints and musculoskeletal disorders in workers of a meat processing industry

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Unsatisfactory microclimatic conditions and forced body positions are potential risk factors for workplace health issues.
• The meat processing industry often involves physically demanding tasks and specific environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of adverse microclimatic conditions and forced body positions on fatigue, pain, and musculoskeletal disorders in female meat processing workers.
• To compare the prevalence of these issues in exposed workers versus a control group.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 90 female meat processing workers exposed to specific work conditions and 95 control workers.
• Data collection through questionnaires and medical/functional examinations of the locomotor system.
• Comparison of symptom prevalence and diagnosed disorders between the exposed and control groups.

Main Results:

• Exposed workers reported significantly higher rates of fatigue and pain during work compared to the control group.
• While degenerative spine diseases were common in both groups, exposed workers showed higher prevalence of extra-articular rheumatic diseases like fibromyalgia, humeroscapular periarthritis, and epicondylitis.
• Marked musculoskeletal disorders were more prevalent in the exposed group.

Conclusions:

• Workplace factors such as poor microclimate and forced body positions contribute significantly to musculoskeletal disorders and pain in the meat processing industry.
• Primary and secondary prevention strategies are crucial for mitigating rheumatic diseases in this occupational group.