Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the influence of outdoor weather conditions on subjective responses during physical activity. Background: The largest difference between indoor and outdoor conditions is the existence of the sun. The heat load from the sun has an influence on the heat gain of the human body and the intense degree of solar radiation affected thermal comfort. Method: Thirty eight people were exposed to a range of climatic conditions in the UK. Weather in England does not have extremely hot and cold temperature, and the current study was conducted under warm (summer and autumn) and cool (spring and summer) climates. Measurements of the climate included air temperature, radiant temperature (including solar load), humidity and wind around the subjects. Subjective responses were taken and physiological measurements included internal body temperature, heart rate and sweat loss. Results: This study was conducted under four kinds of environmental conditions and the environmental measurement was performed in September, December, March, and June. The values for sensation, comfort, preference, and pleasantness about four conditions were from 'neutral' to 'warm', from 'not uncomfortable' to 'slightly comfortable', from 'slightly cooler' to 'slightly warmer', and from 'neither pleasant nor unpleasant' and 'slightly unpleasant', respectively. All subjective responses showed differences depending on air temperature and wind speed, and had correlations with air temperature and wind speed (p<0.05). However, subjective responses showed no differences depending on the radiant temperature. The combined effects of environmental parameters were showed on some subjective responses. The combined effects of air temperature and radiant temperature on thermal sensation and pleasantness were significant. The combined effects of metabolic rate with air temperature, wind speed and solar radiation respectively have influences on some subjective responses. In the case of the relationships among subjective responses, thermal sensation had significant correlations with all subjective responses. The largest relationship was shown between preference and thermal sensation but acceptance showed the lowest relationship with the other subjective responses. Conclusion: The ranges of air temperature, radiant temperature, wind speed and solar radiation were $6.7^{\circ}C$ to $24.7^{\circ}C$, $17.9^{\circ}C$ to $56.6^{\circ}C$, $0.84ms^{-1}$ to $2.4ms^{-1}$, and $123Wm^{-2}$ to $876Wm^{-2}$ respectively. Each of air temperature and wind speed had significant relationships with subjective responses. The combined effects of environmental parameters on subjective responses were shown. Each radiant temperature and solar radiation did not show any relationships with subjective responses but the combinations of each radiant temperature and solar radiation with other environmental parameters had influences on subjective responses. The combinations of metabolic rate with air temperature, wind speed and solar radiation respectively have influences on subjective responses although metabolic rate alone hardly made influences on them. There were also significant relationships among subjective responses, and pleasantness generally showed relatively high relationships with comfort, preference, acceptance and satisfaction. Application: Subjective responses might be utilized to predict thermal stress of human and the application products reflecting human subjective responses might apply to the different fields such as fashion technology, wearable devices, and environmental design considering human's response etc.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the agreement between job physical risk factor analysis by ergonomists using ergonomic methods and physical examinations made by occupational physicians on the presence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Background: Ergonomics is the systematic application of principles concerned with the design of devices and working conditions for enhancing human capabilities and optimizing working and living conditions. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent injuries and physical and emotional stress. The major types of ergonomic injuries and incidents are cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), acute strains, sprains, and system failures. Minimization of use of excessive force and awkward postures can help to prevent such injuries Method: Initial data were collected as part of a larger study by the University of Utah Ergonomics and Safety program field data collection teams and medical data collection teams from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH). Subjects included 173 male and female workers, 83 at Beehive Clothing (a clothing plant), 74 at Autoliv (a plant making air bags for vehicles), and 16 at Deseret Meat (a meat-processing plant). Posture and effort levels were analyzed using a software program developed at the University of Utah (Utah Ergonomic Analysis Tool). The Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) was developed to assess the risk of epicondylitis from observable job physical factors. The model considers five job risk factors: (1) intensity of exertion, (2) forearm rotation, (3) wrist posture, (4) elbow compression, and (5) speed of work. Qualitative ratings of these physical factors were determined during video analysis. Personal variables were also investigated to study their relationship with epicondylitis. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between risk factors and symptoms of epicondyle pain. Results: Results of this study indicate that gender, smoking status, and BMI do have an effect on the risk of epicondylitis but there is not a statistically significant relationship between EEM and epicondylitis. Conclusion: This research studied the relationship between an Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) and the occurrence of epicondylitis. The model was not predictive for epicondylitis. However, it is clear that epicondylitis was associated with some individual risk factors such as smoking status, gender, and BMI. Based on the results, future research may discover risk factors that seem to increase the risk of epicondylitis. Application: Although this research used a combination of questionnaire, ergonomic job analysis, and medical job analysis to specifically verify risk factors related to epicondylitis, there are limitations. This research did not have a very large sample size because only 173 subjects were available for this study. Also, it was conducted in only 3 facilities, a plant making air bags for vehicles, a meat-processing plant, and a clothing plant in Utah. If working conditions in other kinds of facilities are considered, results may improve. Therefore, future research should perform analysis with additional subjects in different kinds of facilities. Repetition and duration of a task were not considered as risk factors in this research. These two factors could be associated with epicondylitis so it could be important to include these factors in future research. Psychosocial data and workplace conditions (e.g., low temperature) were also noted during data collection, and could be used to further study the prevalence of epicondylitis. Univariate analysis methods could be used for each variable of EEM. This research was performed using multivariate analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the different effect of each variable. Basically, the difference between univariate and multivariate analysis is that univariate analysis deals with one predictor variable at a time, whereas multivariate analysis deals with multiple predictor variables combined in a predetermined manner. The univariate analysis could show how each variable is associated with epicondyle pain. This may allow more appropriate weighting factors to be determined and therefore improve the performance of the EEM.

Objective: We propose to apply color information to facilitate finding books in the library. Background: Currently, books are classified in the basis of a decimal classification system and a call number in the library. Users find a book using the call number. However, this classification system causes various difficulties. Method: In a process analysis and survey study, we identify what the real problem is and where the problem is occurred. To solve the real problems, we derived a new search method using color information. We conducted a comparative experiment with 48 participants to see whether the new method can show higher performance. Results: The new method using color information showed faster time and higher subjective rating scores than current call number method. Also, the new method showed faster time regardless of the skill level while the call number method showed time differences in terms of the skill level. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by experiments. Users will be able to find the desired book without difficulty. This method can improve the quality of service and satisfaction of library use. Application: Our book search method can be applied as a book search tool in a real public library. We hope that the method can provide higher satisfaction to users.

Objective: The present study identified the minimum legible text size by an experiment for eight combinations of background and text colors, which will be used in designing visual information on group-view display (GVD). Background: Information on minimum legible text size is needed to design the visual information presented on GVD in a radioactive waste control room. Method: The experiment was conducted for 22 male participants (age: mean = 37, SD = 6.7; visual acuity: over 0.8) who were recruited by considering demographic characteristics of current control room operators. Eight combinations of background and text colors were considered and the minimum legible text size was determined for each combination by applying the method of limits, one of psychophysical methods. Results: The minimum legible text size was significantly different in accordance with the combination of background and text colors. Statistical analysis results showed that luminance contrast and color contrast between background and text influenced the minimum legible text sizes. Conclusion: This study concluded that the minimum legible text size is 8 minute of arc for various combinations of background and text colors. Application: The minimum legible text size identified in the present study can be utilized in designing visual information on GVD at the main control room in a radioactive waste facility.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to draw the accident prevention model using the signal detection theory, and to implement accident prevention program, based on a health promotion and support activities in a shipbuilding company. Background: Workers' health management is perceived important from the human resource management perspective, as well as from the personal perspective. Method: This study developed an accident prevention model by analyzing the correlation between 704 workers' health examination variables, and reviewed the verification of the model through a follow-up survey on the control variables and status of hazards targeting 650 workers for four years from 2007 to 2010. Also, a health promotion program was implemented targeting a production division to improve alcohol habits, smoking, musculoskeletal pain complaints and hearing control indices, which are the control variables of the model. Results: As a result of four years' implementation, the following effects were obtained: the days away from work fell 87.5%, and accident rate dropped 71.5% in 2010, respectively, compared to 2006, before the activity was implemented. Conclusion: This study shows that the accident prevention activities based on workers' health promotion activities are effective to prevent industrial accidents and injuries. Application: The research findings will serve as a practical guideline for establishing preventive measures in the shipbuilding company.

Objective: This study aims to understand the occupational injury characteristics of the workers in the motor vehicle parts (automobile parts) manufacturing industry and to present basic guidelines on accident prevention through accident analysis. Background: There occur many occupational injuries in the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry. But there were few researches for the occupational injuries of the workers in the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry. Method: This study analyzed the data of occupational injuries of 1,609 workers in the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry in 2015. The accident characteristics were analyzed by dividing them into worker related factors and accident related factors. Results: Among the occupational injuries of the workers in the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry, 80.6% of the victims were males, 64.0% were older than 40. 57.8% of the victims were employed by the companies with less than 50 workers. In addition, there was a difference in accident characteristics according to age, work experience, employment type, events or exposures, accident time of the day, agents, natures of injuries and illnesses, injured organs and injured body part. Conclusion: It is important to prevent equipment/machinery accidents. For this purpose, more efforts should be made to establish safety measures faithful to the basics of safety devices and safety work procedures. It is also suggested that prevention of disasters should be intensively carried out for workplaces with less than 50 employees and middle-aged and elderly people. Application: The result can be used to present guidelines for preventative measures for the workers in the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry including safety education/training.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of organizational support, risk perception and job satisfaction on safety consciousness in confined space works. Background: Confined space works are rated as hazardous works with high injury frequency and fatalities. But there were few researches for the occupational injury of the confined space workers. Method: Questionnaire survey targeting 236 workers working in confined spaces were carried out to construct the structural equation model on safety consciousness. The participants were all male workers, and they install and maintain or clean facilities mainly in the confined spaces. Results: A structural equation model for safety consciousness was proposed, and validated based on perceived organizational support, risk perception and job satisfaction factors. Perceived 'organizational support' contributed significantly to 'worker's safety consciousness' both directly and indirectly. Also, perceived 'worker's safety consciousness' was also affected by perceived 'job satisfaction' and 'risk perception'. In terms of magnitude of relationships, the direct effect of perceived 'job satisfaction' on 'worker's safety consciousness' was the greatest among the interrelationships among latent factors. Conclusion: Workers' safety consciousness can function as a leading indicator for safety and hazard prevention of workers. Application: The results can be used in developing safety prevention programs for confined space workers.

Objective: This study aims to survey visual search performance models to assess and predict individual's visual tasks in everyday life and industrial sites. Background: Visual search is one of the most frequently performed and critical activities in everyday life and works. Visual search performance models are needed when designing or assessing the visual tasks. Method: This study was mainly based on survey of literatures related to ergonomics relevant journals and web surfing. In the survey, the keywords of visual search, visual search performance, visual search model, etc. were used. Results: On the basis of the purposes, developing methods and results of the models, this study categorized visual search performance models into six groups: probability-based models, SATO models, visual lobe-based models, computer vision models, neutral network-based models and detection time models. Major models by the categories were presented with their advantages and disadvantages. More models adopted the accuracy among two factors of accuracy and speed characterizing visual tasks as dependent variables. Conclusion: This study reviewed and summarized various visual search performance models. Application: The results would be used as a reference or tool when assessing the visual tasks.