Musculoskeletal

Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 02:31 pm

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Farm and ranch workers can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures, and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposures to known risk factors for MSDs increases a risk of injury.

Ergonomics is simply “fitting the task to the worker” rather than forcing the worker to fit the task. Applying ergonomic principles to workstations can help prevent a variety of conditions, such as back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and hip pain. Ergonomic principles are based on a combination of science and engineering and a thorough understanding of human capabilities and limitations. When these principles are applied to the design of a job, task, process or procedure, the risk of injury is significantly reduced.

The lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain and may include sprains and strains, herniated disks, and fractured (broken) vertebrae. These injuries can cause pain and limit your movement. To save your back, practice good lifting and carrying habits.

Whole body vibration (WBV) occurs when vibrations from a vehicle or power tool transfer to the human body. Over time, WBV can impair speech, increase heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure, cause muscle fatigue and cramping, disrupt balance and perception, and cause lower back pain. Read about prevention strategies to address WBV.

Good posture is an important part of your long-term health, and the key is the position of your spine while in a dynamic or static posture. Dynamic posture is how you hold yourself when you are moving while walking, running, or bending. Static posture is how you hold yourself when you are not moving, such as when you are sitting, standing, holding a tool in place, and sleeping. Correct posture should maintain the three natural curves in the spine from the neck to the low back. Your head should be above your shoulders, and the top of the shoulders should be over your hips.

Posture Improvement Suggestions

• Be mindful of your posture while doing daily activities at the workbench, desk and while sitting in a tractor or other equipment seats.
• Stay active. Regular exercise to stretch, condition and/or increase body awareness such as Yoga and or Pilates. Exercises that strengthen your core (muscles around your back, abdomen, and pelvis) are advisable. Learn about poses that make you ready to farm.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight can weaken your abdominal muscles causing stress on your pelvis and spine contributing to low back pain.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. Work boots with low heels and good ankle support will aid in balance and correct posture.
• Make sure your work surface at home and work are at a comfortable height. When sitting at your desk or in a tractor seat, your low back should be comfortably positioned against the back rest of the chair with feet flat on the floor. A pillow or rolled-up-towel placed behind the small of the back can provide some lumbar support if needed.  Arms should align and rest comfortably at your sides. Switch sitting positions often and periodically walk around the office or tractor to gently stretch muscles to relieve neck, shoulder, arm and back tension.

Farm/Ranch Equipment Ergonomics Suggestions

• Anti-fatigue matting. Place in front of workbenches.
• Adjustable tables with rollers. Adjust to fit mobile workspace and height of worker.
• Adjustable office chair. Always try a chair before you purchase to determine individual comfort. Be sure the height of the desk chair allows your feet to rest flat on the floor.
• Articulating keyboard trays, mouse, lumbar cushions and document holders. Choose a keyboard tray adjustable to the height and position of the user.
• Handle coatings or special gloves. These help suppress vibrations from power tools.
• Anti-vibration tractor seats. Consider anti-vibration seats to retro-fit tractors.

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Musculoskeletal Resources

Fact Sheets and Guidebooks

ID	Title	Summary	Link
12761	AgriSafe Yoga	Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:21 pm Yoga for strengthening and flexibility – examples given in farm settings. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este recurso. English Title:…	View
9372	A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools	Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 04:28 pm A guide on non-powered hand tools. Spanish Title: Una Guía para la Selección de Herramientas de Mano No-Energizadas…	View
8937	Back Injury Prevention Tips	Last updated on July 10th, 2024 at 09:52 am This is a guide produced by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) on back injury prevention tips for workers…	View
11466	Back Pain Can Be Attributed to Whole-Body Vibration	Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 04:56 pm An article from Successful Farming by Lisa Foust Prater….	View
12345	Concerns for Older Adults Working in Agriculture	Last updated on January 3rd, 2023 at 09:00 am episode of Talking Total Farmer Health…	View
18960	Heart Health and Farmers	episode of Talking Total Farmer Health	View
17898	How Ergonomic Technology Can Improve Farm Safety	episode of Talking Total Farmer Health	View
9366	Listos para trabajar	Last updated on May 29th, 2026 at 01:01 pm Poses to improve muscle strength and flexibility – examples given in farm settings. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este recurso….	View
12758	Pilates AgriSafe	Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:30 pm Pilates for strengthening and flexibility – examples given in farm settings. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este recurso. English Title:…	View
8939	Pilates Poster	Last updated on July 10th, 2024 at 10:15 am Pilates for strengthening and flexibility – examples given in farm settings. Text equivalent of “Pilates Poster” Spanish Title: Pilates AgriSafe…	View
8222	Prevention of Falls in the Transport of Livestock	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:50 pm…	View
9364	Ready to Farm Poster	Last updated on July 10th, 2024 at 11:22 am Poses to improve muscle strength and flexibility – examples given in farm settings. Text equivalent of “Ready to Farm” poster Spanish…	View
12771	Recomendaciones para prevenir lesiones en la espalda	Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:31 pm This is a Spanish language guide produced by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) on back injury prevention tips…	View
16059	Rural Telehealth – Part 1 of 2	Last updated on August 1st, 2023 at 11:42 am episode of Talking Total Farmer Health…	View
16060	Rural Telehealth – Part 2 of 2	Last updated on July 16th, 2024 at 12:12 pm episode of Talking Total Farmer Health…	View
9370	Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Farm Workers	Last updated on July 12th, 2024 at 10:24 am This guide shows simple changes agricultural workers can make to improve ergonomics. Spanish Title: Soluciones Simples: Ergonomía Para Trabajadores Agrícolas…	View
9375	Soluciones Simples: Ergonomía Para Trabajadores Agrícolas	Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:40 pm This Spanish language guide shows simple changes agricultural workers can make to improve ergonomics. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este…	View
13305	The National AgrAbility Project	Last updated on January 3rd, 2023 at 09:11 am episode of Talking Total Farmer Health…	View
9373	Una Guía para la Selección de Herramientas de Mano No-Energizadas	Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:41 pm CDC resource guide in Spanish on non-powered hand tools. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este recurso. English Title: A Guide…	View
9371	Whole Body Vibration Handout	Last updated on July 12th, 2024 at 10:54 am Resource focusing on whole body vibration – GPCAH Text equivalent of “Whole Body Vibration Handout”…	View
9902	Working in Agriculture in Snow: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls	Last updated on October 7th, 2022 at 10:01 am Listen to these tips from AgriSafe staff member Linda Emanuel as she discusses a few tips for staying safe while working…	View
9362	Yoga Poster	Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 05:26 pm Yoga for strengthening and flexibility – examples given in farm settings. Text equivalent of “Yoga Poster: AgriSafe Yoga” Spanish Title: AgriSafe…	View
10347	Yoga the AgriSafe Way: Grain Bin Edition	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 02:17 pm Yoga exercises specifically designed for farmers and ranchers. Your body is a tool be sure to take care of it properly!…	View
10346	Yoga the AgriSafe Way: Truck Edition	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 02:18 pm Yoga exercises specifically designed for farmers and ranchers. Your body is a tool, be sure to take care of it properly!…	View
10345	Yoga the AgriSafe Way: Wall Edition	Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 02:18 pm Yoga exercises specifically designed for farmers and ranchers. Your body is a tool be sure to maintain it! Check out how…	View

Webinars

Webinar Title	Summary	Link
Ergonomic Safety for Farm Women	Last updated on May 21st, 2026 at 09:22 am Women account for about one-third of the management, ownership and work on farms, ranches and in crop production. A major challenge…	Watch

Page updated: August 2022