Poor safety climate, long work hours, and musculoskeletal discomfort among Latino horse farm workers. Issue 5 (3rd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swanberg, Jennifer; Clouser, Jessica Miller; Gan, Wenqi; Flunker, John C.; Westneat, Susan; Browning, Steven R.
• Is Part Of: Archives of environmental & occupational health. Volume 72:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 264
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2017-09-03
• Subjects: Latino farmworkers -- musculoskeletal discomfort -- safety climate; Medicine, Preventive -- Periodicals; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational diseases -- Periodicals; Environmental Health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2016.1216387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-8244

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and work-related factors associated with elevated MSD among Latino thoroughbred farm workers. Participants ( N = 225) were recruited using a community-based purposive sampling approach to participate in in-person interviews. Of these workers, 85% experienced MSD. MSD was divided into tertiles; the upper tertile was defined as elevated. Multivariable Poisson regression revealed associations between any elevated MSD and longer tenure on horse farms, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated neck/back MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated upper extremity MSD was associated with age and poor safety climate. Elevated lower extremity MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and being female. Musculoskeletal discomfort is common among these workers. Improving safety climate and minimizing long work hours is recommended.