Posture evaluations of tethering and loose-housing systems in dairy farms

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most common simultaneous and individual segment postures in terms of body and finger posture classifications. Observations were made at three dairy farms. One employed a tethering system and the other two used loose-housing systems. The evaluations of the tethering system were performed through six processes that were subdivided into 11 operations, whereas only one process of 'milking' was investigated in loose-housing systems. Generally, farmers who worked in both systems bent and/or twisted their upper-body segments and continuously used a power grasp to wrap an object with all five fingers. Posture analyses of the tethering system revealed that 'moving corn' seemed less stressful, whereas 'cleaning udders,' 'attaching the machine,' 'washing the machine,' and 'sweeping the floor' were more stressful than other operations. Postural workloads on the trunk and head were greater in the tethering system than in the loose-housing systems due to differences in implements, the working height, and the working distance.