• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 1998

The primary objective of this research was to establish and quantify the relationship between the physical degradation factors of multimedia telecommunications (teleconferencing) system and Subjective human perception. The research was performed in two stages. A field survey of the real users and pilot experiments were carried out in the first stage to determine customers' major complaints and corresponding system degradation factors. A prototype teleconferencing simulator was developed in two separate sound-treated chambers equipped with audio/video equipment running under a custom-developed software program. In the second stage, simulation experiments using the semantic differential methodology were performed utilizing 26 paid participants (14 college students and 12 housewives). The results indicated that audio/video synchronization and the frame rate were the main system factors for both subject groups, but different pattern of factors' influence was found according to the group, implying that the system configuration would hopefully accommodate the characteristics of the end users. Also, a single quality index, developed for system preference, was revealed to be highly correlated with user satisfaction. The results provide some fundamental data on the human subjective perception of multimedia telecommunications quality, and further can help establish the quality standards to enhance service level.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.405-422
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• 2010

Occupational musculoskeletal disorders currently account for the largest proportion of the occupational illnesses in Korea. In this research, status of musculoskeletal disorders among the occupational illnesses was examined through workers' compensation claims data. Types and characteristics of musculoskeletal disorders were looked at other data set as well. The data sets included epidemiological investigation data reported by Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, and data collected from occupational disease surveillance reports and Korean occupational health-related scientific journals. Number of cases, incidence rate and insurance benefits for occupational musculoskeletal disorders in Korea are increasing every year. In addition, musculoskeletal disorders occurrence is shifted from large enterprises group to small-and-medium group, from manufacturing to service sector, and from production workers to office and professional workers. Although low back pain is still most common, its occurrence characteristics is gradually shifted from traumatic to cumulative while musculoskeletal disorders are somewhat seemingly moved from lumbar to upper limb body part. Musculoskeletal disorders were observed to be more diverse and prevalent in epidemiological investigations or surveillance data rather in workers' compensation claims data. Musculoskeletal disorders occurrence is related to demographic factors, occupational psychosocial factors, and ergonomic risk factors at workplace for which appropriate preventive measures needed to be made accordingly.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.465-471
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• 2010

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have been the most common health problem covered by worker's accident compensation insurance for several years in Korea. Korean government has strengthened related regulations since 2003. People looked forward to decreasing the incidence and prevalence of WMSDs. At first, the expectation could be realized. However, we were bumped against to limit at present. The authors think it is due to the negligence of psychosocial factors for WMSDs. Many researchers reported that the various psychosocial factors were associated with WMSDs or symptoms. Job demand, social support, job satisfaction and decision latitude are the major risk factors in job stress aspect. Work pressure, lack of rest, qualified workload, workload variability and monotonous job are the significant risk factors in work context of work organization. Employment flexibility, downsizing, lean production, contingent work and pay for by the piece are also the risk factors in an organizational context. Furthermore, these risk factors are associated with each other across different dimensions of work organization. Suggestive possible pathways between these risks and WMSDs have been taken note of increasing muscle strain or ergonomic stress and of a cognitive aspect. The authors suggest these risk factors could explain the limitation of the regulation system for WMSDs. In conclusion, the strategy to manage psychosocial factors is the one of the essential approach to prevent WMSDs.

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1996.10a
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• pp.185-190
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• 1996

Navigation system is regarded as the interface border line between the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and the driver as the prospective information provider of the ATIS (Advanced Traveler Information System). Following theory, if the navigation system appropriately designed and utilized, that can maximize the transport efficiency, contribute to improvements of the environments and road safety. To accomplish these dinds of objectives of the navigation system use, human factors plays an important roles specially focused on the driver's safety, performance and system usability. Because the effectiveness of the system depends on the acceptance of the system, and the extent to which the system conforms to driver physical and cognitive limitations and capabilities. Therefore, the ergonomic design vaniables must be seriously selected and reflected in early design step for more effective and appreciate product design. As the first step of this aim, this study selected and categorized the human factors design variables of the navigation system.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.29-45
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• 1997

This study aims at designing sleeves which are suitable for arm shapes and arm movements. With the samples of of ordinary 24 women aged from 20 to 22, the arm shapes and movements were measured 3-dimensionally using a motion analyzer and a sonic digitizer, and then clasified into three characteristic types (A, B, and C). Our analysis leads to the following conclusion. The factors classifying arm shapes are the length from acromion to posterior armpit point, arm hole length, the cap height, difference in height between anterior and posterior armpit points, armhole circumference, upper arm circumferemce, armhole depth, and underarm circumference. The characteristics of arm type A is that the armhole depth and the length from acromion to posterior armpit point are the largest, while the circumference inbe- tween upper arm and elbow is the smallest among the three arm types. Thus, the large circumference difference between upper and lower arms is the most notable in arm type A. The factors classifying arm shapes for arm type B are the smallest except for the circumference inbetween upper arm and elbow which is larger than that for arm type A. The circumference difference betweemn upper and lower arms is small for arm type B. Arm type C has the smallest armhole depth, while other factors are similar to those for arm type B. In type C, the size of upper arm is comparatively small on the frontal plane, while it is the largest on the sagital plane.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.180-186
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• 2022

Background: In occupational studies, it is a known situation that technical and organizational attempts are used to prevent occupational accidents. Especially in the mining sector, if these attempts cannot prevent occupational accidents, personal protective equipment (PPE) becomes a necessity. Thus, in this study, the main objective is to examine the effects of the variables on the use of PPE and identify important factors. Methods: A questionnaire was implemented and structural equation modeling was conducted to ascertain the significant factors affecting the PPE use of mining employees. The model includes the factors that ergonomics, the efficiency of PPE and employee training, and PPE usage habit. Results: The results indicate that ergonomics and employee training have no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the use of PPE. The efficiency of PPE has a statistically meaningful effect (p < 0.05) on the use of PPE. Various variables have been evaluated in previous studies. However, none of them examined the variables simultaneously. Conclusion: The developed model in the study enables to better focus on ergonomics and employee training in the PPE usage. The effectiveness of a PPE makes its use unavoidable. Emphasizing PPE effectiveness in OHS training and even showing them in practice will increase employees' PPE usage. The fact that a PPE with high effectiveness is also ergonomic means that it will be used at high rates by the employee.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2015

This research proposed a design direction for the ambulance interior storage space based on the placement and access to the equipment to facilitate an emergency medical practice taking into account the safety and efficiency by the emergency medical technician ergonomic factors. Therefore, through a field survey for the current derivation of the storage space problem 'placement', 'enable', 'management' like these three items resulting clarity, accessibility, simplicity and functionality of the four functional elements by targeting ambulances in operation in this country. First, there is a need to improve standardized of cabinet sizes fit to loaded meet emergency equipment standards. Currently, the equipment designed to use a simple storage cabinet has had problems in the usability. Second, it must be located in the continuous exposure in progress to the user's traffic line. Third, the problem was the insufficient function of the cabinet to ensure the safety of patients by paramedics from the emergency rescue equipment and due to the leaning of the ambulance driving. Besides, it was pointed out that in addition to the proposed alternatives, including the agenda, states that safety belt replacement equipment, emergency personnel and patients with the handle of a guardian for the efficient use storage space within the 119 ambulance. However, in the present study suggest that there is a state proceeds mainly limited usability in the field, having been installed.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the neuro architecture items and detailed elements that can be considered for each detailed space in the future medical space design development through the development of a checklist of neuro architecture elements that can be utilized in medical space design. Methods:: This study first develops the neuro architecture element through theoretical research and prepares the basic plan for the checklist through consultation with the employees of the design company in which the researcher works. Finally, a checklist was developed through a survey of nine experts, including designers, hospital staff, and professors. Results: The result of this study 1) The neuro architecture component was developed in seven categories: light, color, sound, air, image, nature, ergonomic furniture and equipment. 2) Specifically, it consists of 49 elements including 7 light elements, 7 color elements, 5 sound elements, 4 air elements, 11 image elements, 6 elements in nature, 9 elements in ergonomic furniture and equipment. It was. 3) Although each of the detailed elements is more preferred according to the space, in general, all the elements should be considered in the context of the hospital space design. Implications: The checklist on the neuro architecture element will enable the development of the most faithful design as an efficient and useful tool for applying the neuro architecture philosophy that considers human beings in hospital design and pursues healing and happiness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.146-153
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• 2014

This study looks at the impact of psychological and physical factors of the working conditions on the health of workers depending on whether technology is used by such workers. The data used for the study is the third work environment survey. Out of 50,032 respondents, a total of 29,711 paid workers were used as analysis subjects. Although it was anticipated that the use of technology was a factor that hindered job autonomy and teamwork autonomy. However, the analysis results showed low levels of job autonomy and teamwork autonomy in the group that did not use technology. The study assumes a regression analysis model about work environment and work organizational practices of workspaces that have an impact on musculoskeletal complaints, stress symptoms and level of work satisfaction by controlling the social demographic variable that represents the level of individual sensitivity. As a result of the study, ergonomic risk had a significant effect on both groups that did or did not use technology with respect to stress symptoms, musculoskeletal complaints and level of work satisfaction. In particular, as workspace practices and work environment had an effect on the development of musculoskeletal complaints in the group that used machines, there is a need to improve such situation. The autonomous team work or level of job autonomy within the group that used technology may act as a risk factor to the health and welfare of workers. However, because it may also act as a buffer factor, there is a need for a change to reduce stress symptoms and increase the level of work satisfaction by improving autonomous team work and the level of job autonomy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.113-124
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• 2002

The objectives of this study was to investiage the effects of sitting posture on carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) continues to be one of the most widely publicized maladies of the cumulative trauma disorder. Many studies have reported a positive association between CTS and highly repetitive work, high force, and poor posture. High force and repetitive work have especially been associated with CTS, but the evidence for work being a primary cause of CTS is strongest when these factors are combined. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, hand, wrist, and other disorders are attributed to these work-related movements. Such disorders are referred to as repetitive stress injuries, cumulative trauma disorder, overuse syndromes, and chronic upper limb pain syndrome. Incorrect posture also may play a role in the development of CTS in people who work at a computer and other types of keyboards. The tendency to roll the shoulders forward, round the lower back, and thrust the chin forward can shorten the neck and shoulder muscles, compressing nerves in the neck. This, in turn, can affect the wrist, fingers, and hand. The treatment and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome continue to be approached with a segmental view of the human body. For example, the most common ergonomic solution for carpal tunnel syndrome associated with keyboard use is to keep the wrists in a neutral position by using a wrist rest in front of the keyboard and good sitting posture.