Wrist pain is a major musculoskeletal complaint among tree planters. This study measured wrist postures and forces at the wrist while operating the shovel during tree planting. The wrist extension observed, in combination with deviation, may be a key risk factor for musculoskeletal pain. Forces at the wrist indicate increased risk for repetitive strain injuries.

Tree planting is extremely physical, seasonal, repetitive work with high risk for musculoskeletal injuries. Objectives: (1) To assess musculoskeletal symptoms in tree planters as they develop over the course of the planting season. (2) To investigate the effect of pre-season level of physical activity on development of musculoskeletal symptoms. Participants: 132 tree planters from two reforestation camps participated in the study. Methods: Three questionnaires were completed prior to the first work day of the planting season. Questionnaires included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, a body map to report areas of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS questionnaire), and a series of questions about planter demographics. A subset of study participants (n = 14) also completed the MSS questionnaire each work shift during the planting season. Musculoskeletal symptoms in each area of the body were compared pre-and-post season using a paired t-test on data from the MSS questionnaire. Results and conclusions: Areas of the body with the greatest amount of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort were the feet, wrists and back, whereas areas with the highest frequency of reported pain were the upper, middle and lower back. Musculoskeletal symptoms worsened significantly over the course of the work season. Pre-season level of physical activity could not be correlated with development of musculoskeletal symptoms.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of forearm support provided by the Workplace Board on perceived tension, comfort and productivity among pregnant and non-pregnant female computer workers. Ten pregnant and 18 non-pregnant women participated in the study. Participants completed three sets of tension/discomfort questionnaires at two week intervals. The first set was completed prior to any workstation intervention; the second set was completed after two weeks working with an ergonomically adjusted workstation; the third set was completed after two weeks working with the Workplace Board integrated into the office workstation. With the Workplace Board, decreased perceived tension was reported in the left shoulder, wrist and low back in non-pregnant women only. The Board was generally liked by all participants, and increased comfort and productivity in all areas, with the exception of a negative effect on productivity of general office tasks. The board is suitable for integration in most office workstations and for most users, but has no special benefits for pregnant women.

Tree planters use various strategies to unload the seedlings from their bags. This study examines differences in upper limb and trunk joint angles during three load carriage conditions: (1) load evenly distributed to the right and left sides of the body – evenly loaded (2) load entirely on the right side – right loaded and (3) load entirely on the left side – left loaded. Data were collected in the field in Northern Ontario. Inertial motion sensors were placed on the right hand, right and left forearms and upper arms, sacrum, and T1 vertebrae. Using relative sensor orientation, joint angles were determined for the right wrist, right and left elbow and the trunk for the three load carriage conditions during normal planting tasks. The main findings were: 1) In the left loaded condition, the right wrist was less extended, the right elbow was more flexed, the trunk experienced less right-rotation, and the right and left forearms were less pronated than in either the evenly loaded or right loaded conditions. 2) In both the left and right loaded conditions, the left forearm was less pronated, and the trunk was less flexed than in the evenly loaded condition. Results suggest that asymmetrical tree load carriage results in more neutral postures than symmetrical tree load carriage.