MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS AND WORKLOAD IN 12 BRANCHES OF DUTCH AGRICULTURE

A postal questionnaire survey was carried out in Dutch agriculture to identify high risk branches with respect to musculoskeletal symptoms a nd workload. The study population comprised a sample 2580 male employe es and employers, with a response rate of 49%. A total of 75% of the e mployees and 71% of the employers reported musculoskeletal symptoms du ring the past 12 months. Low-back pain was most prevalent (one-year pr evalence rate of 51% among employees, 47% among employers), followed b y symptoms of the neck-shoulder (one-year prevalence rate of 35% among employees, 30% among employers) and knees (one-year prevalence rate o f 22% among employees, 17% among employers). There were marked differe nces between specific branches in the size and nature of musculoskelet al morbidity as well as in self-reported musculoskeletal workload. In particular protective vegetables growing and arboriculture showed both relatively high rates of symptoms and relatively high exposure levels . The results of this study were used to decide which agricultural bra nches and workload factors should have priority in the ergonomic inter ventions that followed.