Analysis of wrist angles and movements applied to machine milking

Hand and wrist problems are very common when working with milking. Therefore the aim of this study was to quantify the positions and movements of the wrist during machine milking and to compare tethering and loose-housing systems regarding this. Electrogoniometers and data loggers were used for recording flexion and deviation angles of both the right and the left wrists in eleven milkers. High values of dorsiflexion and radial deviation were found which might contribute to the high prevalence of hand and wrists symptoms for example carpal tunnel syndrome among milkers. Furthermore the velocity and repetiveness were close to those values described in repetitive work with a high risk of elbow and disorders. Milking in the modem milking system the load has increased with respect to dorsiflexed hand position and repetitiveness. This negative effects on wrists positions and movements must be observed when building new milking systems.