Ergonomic workplace evaluation and epidemiology of musculoskeletal discomfort on German dairy farms.

Previous European studies have shown a high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) among milking parlor operatives, affecting at least 70% of the staff. The aim of the project was to find correlations between workplace design and prevalence of MSD. For this a data collection was carried out questioning the parlor operatives using a modified Nordic Questionnaire. On farm parlor specifics and bovimetrics of milked cows of a randomly-selected shift were measured. After that data was combined to compare the workplace design and the occurrence of MSD. The results showed that 94% of the female and 71% of the male workers suffered from MSD. The work place analysis revealed that women regularly worked above shoulder level and had to tort and bend more often than men because of the gender specific anthropometrics and the workplace design. The survey took into consideration that not only milking is considered strenuous but other farm tasks as well. The results also demonstrated that there is a need to take action to improve modern milking parlors. The existing helping devices are not sufficient to reduce the workload; reorganizing the work tasks, work schedule and the work place design is suggested.