An analytical ergonomic risk evaluation of body postures during daily cleaning tasks in horse stables.

The research article discusses an analytical investigation into the ergonomic issues within daily tasks performed in horse stables and their potential to contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers.

Objective and Methodology

• The study aims to identify, evaluate, and rank ergonomic problems related to physical work performed in horse stables and their relevance to MSDs among workers and the design of the tools used.
• Three standard tasks – mucking out, sweeping and bedding replacement were analyzed to isolate and rank the ergonomic difficulties.
• Various analytical tools, including Hierarchical Task Analysis, Heuristic Evaluation, and Rapid Entire Body Assessment, were used to approach the challenge.

Results

• Several high-risk procedures were identified, largely in mucking out boxes and disposing of bedding material.
• A range of issues was identified, primarily centered around uncomfortable working postures such as a twisted and bent back, extended arm positions, extreme joint positioning in the wrists and the handling of heavy loads.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• The study concludes that an analytical approach can successfully identify potential ergonomic issues without extensive empirical research.
• Most high-risk operations involved the use of long-shafted tools or a wheelbarrow, indicating a need to revise the tools’ ergonomic design to enhance the working conditions.
• Despite identifying numerous ergonomic issues, the study warns that these are not final and therefore require further empirical validation.
• The results of the study also highlight areas where more in-depth empirical research concerning how MSDs occur and how tools and the environment impact physical problems is required.