Musculoskeletal symptoms in cold exposed and non-cold exposed workers

• A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was carried out to explore the relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and cold exposure in a large meat processing company in Colombia. All workers in the packing areas (n=162) were recruited: 50 workers from very cold areas (+2°C) and 112 workers from less severely exposed areas (range +8°C to +12°C). Thermal environmental conditions were measured in both areas. By Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, there was a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the more exposed workers, especially for low back, neck and shoulders. The prevalence ratios for neck and low back symptoms interfering with usual work were 11.2 (95% CI 1.3–93.4) and 4.5 (95% CI 1.6–12.4), respectively. Job features that could not be addressed in this study included work shift (day versus night), adequacy of thermal protective clothing, type of contract with the company and psychosocial conditions at work. The association between cold exposure and musculoskeletal problems is plausible but the mechanism is still obscure and there is a need for further research, both experimental and epidemiologic (preferably cohort studies).

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Cold exposure

Ergonomics

Environmental cold

Cross sectional study

Standardized Nordic Questionnaire for Musculoskeletal Symptoms

Industrial Work Environment

Industriell produktionsmiljö

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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