The Influence of Working Heights and Weights of Milking Units on the Body Posture of Female Milking Parlour Operatives

Abstract

Workers in modern German milking parlours – especially women – were found to be overrepresented in those suffering from musculoskeletal disorders [MSD]. The number of cases was compared to the whole employed population. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the effects of workstation geometry on female milking parlour operatives. Motion analysis in combination with Electromyography [EMG] data recording was applied to evaluate three different working heights and two weights of milking units. Results showed that especially the weight of the milking unit strongly influenced the workload. The optimal working height for attaching the cluster was found to have the teat ends at shoulder level of the parlour operative.