대한인간공학회지 (Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea)

  • 제34권4호
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  • Pages.327-334
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  • 2015
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  • 1229-1684(pISSN)
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  • 2093-8462(eISSN)
대한인간공학회 (Ergonomics Society of Korea)
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A Study on Factors Affecting Work Ability in Korean Workers

  • Lee, Yujeong (Department of Safety Engineering, Pukyong National University) ;
  • Chang, Seong Rok (Department of Safety Engineering, Pukyong National University)
  • 투고 : 2015.05.26
  • 심사 : 2015.07.11
  • 발행 : 2015.08.31
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초록

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Korean workers' work ability and to identify its contributing factors. Background: In order for Korea to overcome the phenomena of becoming an aged society, older adults must participate in the workforce to balance out the population; workers' work ability must also be maintained. In addition, influential factors in employees' capabilities and degrees of importance thereof should be identified in advance to maintain work ability. Method: The Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire was completed by 5,708 Korean workers. Survey questionnaire consisted items of current work ability, physical and mental demands of the job, numbers of diseases, work impairment due to diseases, sick leaves, work ability in 2 years and mental resources. Results: Results indicated that work ability and length of service increased with age. It was also found that employees in administrative positions had greater work ability than site workers, workers directly managed by a supervisor had greater work ability than workers in cooperative firms, and workers who performed intellectual tasks had greater work ability than workers who performed physical labor. Job stress was additionally observed to contribute towards overall work ability. And musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were found to negatively affect work ability. Conclusion: The strongest determining factors in the work ability of Korean workers were stress level and mental state. Therefore, when the WAI is used to assess Korean workers, the weighting of WAI items pertaining to physical and mental abilities should be adjusted accordingly to account for these factors. Application: The result is expected to suggest that workers maintain work ability in an aged society.

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참고문헌

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