Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

  • Volume 34
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  • Pages.6.1-6.12
  • /
  • 2022
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  • 1225-3618(pISSN)
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  • 2052-4374(eISSN)
The Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (대한직업환경의학회)
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The relevant factors of work-related fatigue for occupational vibrationexposed employees

  • YongDuk Ahn (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dankook University Hospital) ;
  • Jeongbae Rhie (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dankook University Hospital) ;
  • Min-Gi Kim (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dankook University Hospital)
  • Received : 2021.10.31
  • Accepted : 2022.02.28
  • Published : 2022.12.31
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Abstract

Background: To date, little is known about the effects of factors linked to work-related fatigue on vibration-exposed workers. Thus, the purpose of this study was (1) to assess the effects of vibration exposure time per week and work-related fatigue on workers and (2) to identify factors associated with work-related fatigue caused by long-term exposure to occupational vibration. Methods: This study used data collected from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. A total of 34,820 non-vibration-exposed and 10,776 vibration-exposed employees were selected from the data. The χ2 and multiple logistic regression were used to determine the effect of vibration exposure time per week and the effects of factors of work-related fatigue on workers. Results: The prevalence of work-related fatigue in vibration-exposed workers (30.5%) was higher than that of non-exposed workers (15.9%). The prevalence of work-related fatigue was higher for female and workers with depression, anxiety, and shift work, and those with authority to control their work pace had statistically significantly higher odds than those who did not. The employees who had the authority to control their order of work (odds ratio [OR]: 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-0.95) and method of work (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82-0.98) had statistically significantly lower odds than those who did not. The OR of workrelated fatigue symptoms was highest among employees whose vibration exposure time per week were 30.0%-40.0% (OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.96-2.83). Lower OR was observed as vibration exposure time per week decreased. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest an association between occupational vibration and work-related fatigue and longer vibration exposure time per week, causing an increased prevalence of work-related fatigue symptoms. Measures to protect workers exposed to occupational vibration from work-related fatigue must be taken.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank the Safety and Health Policy Research Department (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute [OSHRI]) for providing raw data from the Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). The paper's contents are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of the OSHRI.

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