Abstract

Production-line work in poultry-processing plants is associated with a high risk of musculoskeletal injury. This project analysed work activities on a turkey deboning line on which men and women perform different tasks. Accident records were analysed, individual and groups of workers interviewed, and activities at each workstation (especially high-risk ones) analysed. The research identified problems related to certain types of production, exposure to cold, and knife maintenance, and revealed the existence of sex-specific risk factors: static work, high work rhythm and low task variation among women, and exertion of great force among men. Sex-specific task assignment was thus ineffective as a preventive measure.