Abstract

Workers in the animal slaughter and processing sector are at higher risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) than workers in other sectors. However, a number of factors responsible for MSD can be adjusted to lower the risks. For example, it has been demonstrated that the use of efficient knives to cut meat in slaughterhouses can decrease the number of cutting movements and the force required, which will lower the risk of developing MSD.

This research activity aims to develop data collection tools and analytical methods to evaluate the process of implementing an ergonomic MSD prevention activity and its benefit-cost ratio. The ergonomic activity studied is participatory with two levels of learning transfer: knife-sharpening training for the company’s trainers, who will then train the workers.

The researchers want to follow up with a project to evaluate training activities with two levels of learning transfer designed to prevent MSDs in other companies in the same sector.