Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The study investigates the use of collection and treatment wagon for piglets in relation to castration. The importance of good and ergonomically designed tools in pig stables can probably reduce the risk of suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). During the last 20 years the number of pig farms has decreased and at the same time the herd sizes and the number of pig keepers have increased (Statistic Sweden (SCB) 2007). As a consequence, the pig keepers have more pigs to take care of, treat and neuter and spend more of their daily work in these large confinements. This also means that the repetitive work e.g. treatment, grinding of teeth and castration of piglets increases. These work tasks are difficult to avoid because they are an important part of the pig farming.

A study conducted by researchers at the Work Sciences Group in Alnarp showed that musculoskeletal symptoms among pig keepers were mainly located to the upper extremities (62%) and back (57%) compared to the lower extremities (38%).

This study is based on telephone interviews with 30 piglet producers. A questionnaire of thirteen questions was designed to investigate whether producers used a trolley for collection and treatment of piglets in relation to castration.

The results from the interviews were compiled in a matrix and then used for further analysis. Grouping of the results was drawn from the function and application of the wagons. The results of the interview study showed that piglet producers and piglet keepers mainly used four different trolleys and ways to work with the collection and castration of piglets. About half of the producers and keepers (47 %) used some kind of trolley for collection and castration of piglets. The majority of the producers and keepers (87 %) used a special type of work bench for castration and only one fifth (17 %) did neither use a trolley nor a work bench for castration.

The study showed that the producers and piglet keepers disagreed to whether the work postures in relation to collection and castration of piglets were ergonomic. Some of the producers and pig keepers stated that it was better to carry out treatment and castration without a trolley than with a trolley. Some of the respondents were not willing to replace the trolley. The conclusion of the results is that there are several advantages for using an ergonomic trolley in relation to collection, treatment and castration of piglets.