Work Organization and Musculoskeletal Health

Joseph G. Grzywacz, Thomas A. Arcury, Dana Mora, Andrea M. Anderson, Haiying Chen, Daryl A. Rosenbaum, Mark R. Schulz, Sara A. Quandt
2012 Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine  
Objective: To determine the potential role of differential exposure to work organization hazards in musculoskeletal disorders among immigrant Latino workers. Method: Self-reported work organization data were obtained from immigrant Latino workers in poultry processing and nonpoultry, manual occupations (N = 742). Clinical evaluations for epicondylitis, rotator cuff syndrome, and back pain were obtained from a subsample (n = 518). Results: Several work organization hazards (eg, low job control,
more » ... igh psychological demands) were elevated among poultry processing workers. Job control predicted epicondylitis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77) and rotator cuff syndrome (OR = 0.79); psychological demand predicted rotator cuff syndrome (OR = 1.30) and back pain (OR = 1.24); awkward posture and repeated movements predicted all three outcomes; and management safety commitment predicted rotator cuff syndrome (OR = 1.65) and back pain (OR = 1.81). Discussion: Immigrant poultry processing workers are exposed to greater work organization hazards that may contribute to occupational health disparities.
doi:10.1097/jom.0b013e318254640d pmid:22821071 fatcat:4ekqqluvhjetrjxdjuvrtho6fm