An ergonomics educational training program to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders to novice and experienced workers in the poultry processing industry: A quasi-experimental study

• Published in: Applied ergonomics Vol. 90; p. 103234
• Main Authors: Denadai, Michelle Silveira, Alouche, Sandra Regina, Valentim, Daniela Pereira, Padula, Rosimeire Simprini
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2021
• Subjects: Human factors; Musculoskeletal disorders; Occupational health; Risk factors; Musculoskeletal disorders; Occupational health; Risk factors; Human factors
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2020.103234

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a poultry processing industry with the aim of assessing the benefits of ergonomics educational training for novice and experienced workers in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Sociodemographic and occupational questionnaires were used to evaluate age, marital status, education, time in job, musculoskeletal complaints and pain intensity, perceived effort, biomechanical exposure, and perception of ease or difficulty in adoption of ergonomics educational training. Musculoskeletal complaints in the neck, back, and wrists were reduced with training, but pain intensity was reduced only in the wrist region. A reduction in the occupational biomechanical exposure from the baseline to immediately post-training and 2 months after training both for novice and experienced workers was also observed. The novice workers group differed from the experienced workers by presenting a higher reduction of biomechanical exposure in the cutting room. All workers in this study benefited from the ergonomics educational training in the short and medium term. However, the success of training was highly dependent on the content and approach of the training. •Ergonomics educational training was carried out in the context of the occupational tasks.•Ergonomics educational training proved to be beneficial for novice and experienced workers.•The novice workers had higher reduction of biomechanical exposure than experienced workers.