# Start of the Season in a Seasonal Work Context: A Better Understanding of the Difficulties Experienced by Seasonal Workers in the Food Processing Industry for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

## TL;DR

This study explores the challenges seasonal workers face when returning to work in the food processing industry, which can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific difficulties during the start of the season that increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among seasonal workers.

## Key findings

- Seasonal workers face high physical and mental strain when returning to work after the off-season.
- Workers must quickly re-learn skills or develop new strategies after long breaks, increasing injury risk.
- The findings suggest the need for targeted prevention actions to support seasonal workers' return to work.

## Abstract

The specific period of the start of a new working season and a return to work after the off-season seems to be a critical moment for the musculoskeletal health of seasonal workers. This study aims to identify the difficulties and working conditions encountered by seasonal workers in this particular period of the working season which may increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). An in-depth ergonomic work activity study, combined with a multiple case study of eight seasonal workers from a meat processing facility, was conducted. Various interviews (n = 24) and observations of work activity, organization, and production (n = 96 h) were held at different moments (off-season, return to work at the start of the season, and during the season). Critical work situations exposing workers to WMSD risks emerged and highlighted a diversity of difficulties, such as accomplishing work activity involving strong physical strain and a significant and underestimated mental load, and having to rapidly develop new skills or re-learn working strategies after a long off-period. The study findings have implications for developing actions to prevent WMSDs that target working conditions and support a return to work for returning seasonal workers and a start of work for new seasonal workers, and to address work disability in this context.