Effects of Milking Unit Design on Upper Extremity Muscle Activity During Attachment Among U.S. Large-Herd Parlor Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Douphrate DI ; Fethke NB ; Gimeno Ruiz de Porras D ; Hagevoort R ; Nonnenmann MW ; Reynolds SJ ; Rodriguez A
• Description:
  Background: Large-herd dairy parlor workers experience a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of milking unit design on upper extremity muscle activity during milking unit attachment. Methods: Upper extremity muscle activity was recorded among U.S. large-herd parlor workers (n=11) using surface electromyography. Participants performed several milking unit attachment cycles with each of six milking unit designs. Muscle activity levels were then compared between unit designs. Results: Mean muscle activity levels (in %MVE) across milking units ranged from 6.8 to 8.2 for the upper trapezius, 8.2 to 10.3 for the anterior deltoid, 13.8 to 17.2 for the forearm flexors, and 9.9 to 12.4 for the forearm extensors. Pairwise comparisons between milking units did not reveal statistically significant differences in muscle activity levels across milking unit designs. However, a general pattern of higher muscle activity was observed with specific milking units. Milking unit weight, milk tube spread, and teat cup shape may explain differences in muscle activity levels. Conclusions: Milking unit design may influence muscle activity levels among parlor workers. Small reductions in muscle activity associated with milking unit design have the potential to delay the onset of fatigue or development of musculoskeletal health outcomes among parlor workers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Ergonomics Livestock Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Workers Animal Products Workers Author Keywords: Dairy Electromyography Equipment Injuries Milking Unit Musculoskeletal System Disorders Repetitive Work Upper Extremities
• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; Iowa ; New Mexico ; OSHA Region 6 ; OSHA Region 7 ; OSHA Region 8 ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  482-490
• Volume:
  58
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20051896
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2017 Jan; 58:482-490
• Contact Point Address:
  David I. Douphrate, University of Texas, School of Public Health, San Antonio Regional Campus, 7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 1100, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  Colorado State University - Ft. Collins
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20030915
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20270914
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:cc62d939c36c1c48ca400b355c21853894fdf653163e5f3b9dfc119816077a41ea74d0321a3cd4231521c5e43f9c39b6fa7adeb8d2d2c6043e3cb03fe4c42624
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/211576/cdc_211576_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 845.33 KB ]