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Physical workload and psychosocial working conditions in Swedish pig transport drivers

Wilhelmsson, Sofia ; Andersson, Maria ; Arvidsson, Inger LU ; Dahlqvist, Camilla LU ; Hemsworth, Paul H. ; Yngvesson, Jenny and Hultgren, Jan (2021) In International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 83.
Abstract

Working conditions of 20 Swedish pig transport drivers (PTD) were assessed by a questionnaire, a workshop, and recorded postures and movements during on-farm loading, driving, unloading at abattoir and vehicle cleaning. High arm positions and high frequencies of shoulder problems indicated an excessive physical load on shoulders. Extreme crouching postures inside vehicles and high frequencies of lower back problems indicated high load on the back of PTDs. Inadequate design of on-farm loading areas was associated with knee discomfort. Observed variation in workload between PTDs could be explained by differences in physical working environment and pig handling practices. PTDs reported high job satisfaction and commitment although... (More)

Working conditions of 20 Swedish pig transport drivers (PTD) were assessed by a questionnaire, a workshop, and recorded postures and movements during on-farm loading, driving, unloading at abattoir and vehicle cleaning. High arm positions and high frequencies of shoulder problems indicated an excessive physical load on shoulders. Extreme crouching postures inside vehicles and high frequencies of lower back problems indicated high load on the back of PTDs. Inadequate design of on-farm loading areas was associated with knee discomfort. Observed variation in workload between PTDs could be explained by differences in physical working environment and pig handling practices. PTDs reported high job satisfaction and commitment although conflicts with farmers and official veterinarians, as well as regulatory conflicts were emphasized. We conclude that issues of inadequate farm and abattoir facilities, stakeholder conflicts and insufficient training in animal handling need to be addressed to ensure sustainable PTD working conditions.

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author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Handling, Movement, Occupational exposure, Physical, Pigs, Preslaughter transport, Psychosocial, Velocity
in
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
volume
83
article number
103124
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85102400238
ISSN
0169-8141
DOI
10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103124
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
368696db-8010-4d33-b80c-43c873384289
date added to LUP
2021-03-24 08:23:27
date last changed
2022-04-27 00:59:08
@article{368696db-8010-4d33-b80c-43c873384289,
  abstract     = {{<p>Working conditions of 20 Swedish pig transport drivers (PTD) were assessed by a questionnaire, a workshop, and recorded postures and movements during on-farm loading, driving, unloading at abattoir and vehicle cleaning. High arm positions and high frequencies of shoulder problems indicated an excessive physical load on shoulders. Extreme crouching postures inside vehicles and high frequencies of lower back problems indicated high load on the back of PTDs. Inadequate design of on-farm loading areas was associated with knee discomfort. Observed variation in workload between PTDs could be explained by differences in physical working environment and pig handling practices. PTDs reported high job satisfaction and commitment although conflicts with farmers and official veterinarians, as well as regulatory conflicts were emphasized. We conclude that issues of inadequate farm and abattoir facilities, stakeholder conflicts and insufficient training in animal handling need to be addressed to ensure sustainable PTD working conditions.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wilhelmsson, Sofia and Andersson, Maria and Arvidsson, Inger and Dahlqvist, Camilla and Hemsworth, Paul H. and Yngvesson, Jenny and Hultgren, Jan}},
  issn         = {{0169-8141}},
  keywords     = {{Handling; Movement; Occupational exposure; Physical; Pigs; Preslaughter transport; Psychosocial; Velocity}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics}},
  title        = {{Physical workload and psychosocial working conditions in Swedish pig transport drivers}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103124}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103124}},
  volume       = {{83}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}