Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.7731/KIFSE.2014.28.4.081

The Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Symptom and Patient Transport Work of 119 EMTs by Ergonomics Tools  

Hong, Sung-Gi (Dept. of Emergency Medical Technology, Dongnam Health University)
Publication Information
Fire Science and Engineering / v.28, no.4, 2014 , pp. 81-88 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study identified the complaint ratio of musculoskeletal symptom by 119 EMTs and investigated the work risk extent through ergonomics evaluation about the patient transport works, which cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) to 119 EMTs. For this, the complaint ratio of musculoskeletal symptom utilized questionnaire tool based on KOSHA Code H-30-2008 and the risk extent about the patient transport work evaluated by using ergonomics evaluation tools such as OWAS, RULA and REBA. According to the study result, 60.9% of 119 EMTs experienced musculoskeletal symptom. Among them, the symptom on back was the most common (36.1%). The work, which mostly causes WMSDs, has been found as patient transport work (48.4%). Among the patient transport motion, loading/unloading of ambulance cot to/from ambulance and the lifting of patient by stretcher were OWAS risk-level 3 and RULA/REBA risk-level 3 to 4. Among the patient transport environment, carrying patient on stairway using emergency mini-stretcher, moving patient in vehicle using spine board and piggy-back carrying or cradle carrying patient on stairway or slope way were OWAS, RULA, REBA risk level 3 to 4. It is suggested that immediate improvement in work postures for these works should contribute to prevention against WMSDs to 119 EMTs.
Keywords
119 EMTs; Musculoskeletal symptom; Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs); Patient transport work; Ergonomics evaluation;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 7  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 B. J. Maguire, K. L. Hunting, T. L. Guidotti, et al., "Occupational Injuries Among Emergency Medical Aervices Personnel", Prehospital Emergency Care (NIOSH), Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 405-411 (2005).   DOI   ScienceOn
2 O. Karhu, P. Kansi and I. Kuorinka, "Correcting Working Posture in Industry: A Practical Method for Analysis", Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 199-201 (1977).   DOI   ScienceOn
3 L. McAtamney and E. N. Corlett, "RULA: A Survey Method for the Investigation of Work-related Upper Limb Disoders", Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 91-99 (1993).   DOI   ScienceOn
4 S. Hignett and L. McAtamney, "Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)", Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 31, pp. 201-205 (2000).   DOI   ScienceOn
5 D. H. Ki, "Applicability of NIOSH Lifting Equation to Analysis of Workload for Patients Transferring", Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 43-50 (2006).   과학기술학회마을   DOI
6 H. K. Kim, "Comparison of Muscle Strength for Onehand and Two-hands Lifting Activity", Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 35-44 (2007).
7 S. K. Hong, J. S. Im, S. T. Youn and J. Yim, "Differences in Incidence of Lower Back Pain According to Fire Fighter's Duty Type", Korean Journal of Health Policy and Administration, Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 99-112 (2007).   과학기술학회마을   DOI   ScienceOn
8 S. K. Lee, "Correlation between Job and Life Style Related Factor and Musculo-skeletal Disorders in Fire Fighters", Gachon University of Medicine and Science Master's Thesis (2007).
9 H. L. Roh, S. M. Son, H. S. Oh, S. R. Chang and J. Kim, "Analysis of Work Postures of Fire Fighters for Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders", Journal of the Korean Society of Safety, Vol. 26, No. 6, pp. 71-78 (2011).   과학기술학회마을
10 National Emergency Management Agency, "Statistics and Fire Administrative Documents" (2013).
11 D. S. Kim, M. K. Moon and K. S. Kim, "A Survey of Musculoskeletal Symptoms & Risk Factors for the 119 Emergency Medical Services Activities", Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 211-216 (2010).   과학기술학회마을   DOI   ScienceOn
12 P. A. Reichelt and K. M. Conrad, "Musculoskeletal Injury: Ergonomics and Physical Fitness in Firefighters", Occup. Med., Vol. 10, pp. 735-746 (1995).
13 S. A. Lavender, K. M. Conrad, P. A. Reichelt, F. T. Meyer and P. W. Johnson, "Postural Analysis of Paramedics Simulating Frequently Performed Strenuous Work Tasks", Appl. Ergon. Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 45-57 (2000).   DOI   ScienceOn
14 D. MacLeod, "The Office Ergonomics Kit", Lewis Publishers, NewYork (1999).
15 M. Hagberg, B. Silverstein, R. Wells, M. J. Smith, H. W. Hendrick, P. Carayon and M. Perusse, "Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder", Taylor & Francis, London (1995).
16 The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, "Improve the Work Environment for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Guidelines" (2008).
17 S. W. Hong, D. C. Uhm and M. H. Jun, "Job Stress and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms of 119 Emergency Medical Technicians", Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing, Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 223-235 (2010).   과학기술학회마을
18 S. J. Im, J. T. Park, S. Y Choi and D. H. Park, "An Ergonomic Analysis for Heavy Manual Material Handling Jobs by Fire Fighters", J. Kor. Inst. Fire Sci. Eng., Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 85-93 (2013).   과학기술학회마을   DOI