• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.93-107
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• 2000

The excessive exposure to powered hand tools can cause damage to nerves, impair blood circulation, and musculoskeletal damage. The symptoms associated with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) include numbness, tingling, pain and subsequent reduced dexterity of the hands. This study was performed to report the prevalence of the HAVS and evaluate its related factors among the workers using powered hand tools. Total 282 workers in 11 plants of Kyungki and Inchon areas were examined. A standard symptom questionnaire was developed and administered to collect information on personal characteristics, work history, operating conditions, tool characteristics, and subjective symptoms of HAVS. Mean values (standard deviations) of the age, the duration of powered hand tools used, and the daily hours using powered hand tools were 38.3(8.9) years, 79.3(62.2) months and 6.0(2.6) hours, respectively. 132 workers(46.8%) showed vibration-induced white finger symptoms according to the Taylor-Pelmear classification, and 30 workers(10.6%) were interfered with the work. The results of a multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age and daily working hours showed that smoking, work duration, weight of tools, and continuous work over 2 hours were significantly associated with the symptom of HAVS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2009

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the compatibility of anti-vibration gloves, to predict the attenuation of vibration with different types of anti-vibration gloves, to estimate the spectra of the ISO 10819 standard, and to present an oscillating spectrum adequate for vibrating tools. This paper use two ISO standards for the measurement and evaluation of hand-arm vibration. Some anti-vibration gloves can attenuate vibration, but all the anti-vibration gloves in this study do not satisfy the ISO 10819 requirements. In case of equal vibration types, the outside materials are effective in order of leather, fabrics and rubber-coating. Anti-vibration gloves manufactured in the United State satisfy ISO 10819 criteria using United State subjects, but do not satisfy ISO 10819 using Japanese subjects. M-spectrum acceleration exists below 10Hz and H-spectrum exists above 500Hz. Generally vibrating tools have the peak of Z-axis, but generation of vibration differ from each vibrating tools.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.398-412
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the acceleration of vibration by the powered hand tools used in the shipbuilding industry, and to develop the prospective prevalence model for the hand-arm vibration syndrome among the shipbuilding workers.The acceleration levels and frequencies of six types of grinder were measured using the ISO5349 method along with the time of exposure to the vibration from the powered hand tools. Medical examination for 114 workers were performed using the cold provocation test. Comparisons were made between the estimated prevalence of hand-arm vibration syndrome from ISO5349 and the observed values from the medical examinations. By multiple regression, we developed the prospective prevalence model of hand-arm vibration syndrome produced by the hand tools used in the shipbuilding industry. 4 hour-energy-equivalent frequency-weighted accelerations were $6.23m/s^2$ in the grinding job done after welding, and $13.39m/s^2$ in the grinding job done before painting. The mean exposure time while holding powered hand tools was 4.64 hours. Prevalence rates of Raynaud's Phenomenon were 12.04% in the grinding after soldering, and 42.9% in the grinding before painting measured using the ISO5349 method. After exposure to vibration for 10.79 years, about a half of the workers in the grinding after welding could developed Raynaud's Phenomenon. For the workers in the grinding before painting, the latency was 5.02 years. The ISO equation for dose response relationship was not significantly correlated with observed recovery rates of finger skin temperatures, blood flows and amplitudes of nerve conduction velocities. A multiple regression model for dose-response relationship was proposed from the results. Recovery rate of the skin temperatures = -0.668+ 0.337 ${\times}$ 4 hour energy equivalent frequency-weighted accelerations + 0.767 ${\times}$ duration of vibration exposure(years) The validity was proved by multiple regression analysis after correlation transformation and regression results based on model-building data and validation data.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.880-883
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• 2006

The reduction of tool vibration has been a serious issue for both employers and workers because of the risks of vibration transmitted to the workers. In this study a hand-arm vibration measurement and evaluation system was developed based on ISO 5349:2001 and used for analyzing relation of vibration level and components of tools. This system consists of a notebook PC installed a LabVIEW program and the data acquisition system including two 3-axial accelerometers and a NI-DAQ card. Vibration measurement tests were conducted for eight angle grinders and four impact wrenches where 3 subjects were used for each of the tools. The relation between different components of each tool and its vibration total value made it possible to set-up a guideline of tool design. In the past engineers developed tools by using their experience and intuition, but by using this system it became possible to design tool components so as to minimize the risks of hand-transmitted vibration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.52-65
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• 1999

This study was performed to evaluate the hand-arm vibration of the steel processing factory workers. Measurement, evaluation and as sessment were based on the International Standard(ISO 5349). The frequency weighted accelerations of the various hand-held tools and total exposure time were measured to assess the periods for the white finger symptom to occur. As a result, it was found that the air angle grinder and the air baby grinder are more harmful than other hand-held tools. It was also found that using various vibratory tools together is more harmful than using a single tool.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.146-149
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• 2005

Thesedays, the reduction of hand-transmitted vibration of hand-held power tools is important issue for operators' welfare, In the study, frequency response function is measured and vibration total value is evaluated for solving the principle and effect of the BOSCH's vibration-proof handle. This handle functions as a dynamic damper and has the effect, 22% vibration total value reduction under idling condition using a system that consists of a PC with data acquisition system and LabVIEW program. The program in the system makes it possible to evaluate vibration total value according to ISO 5349. This handle offers a good example for figuring out the physical contradiction between the work efficiency and operators' health.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.1043-1047
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• 2003

Most of the measurement and the evaluation of hand-transmitted vibration have been performed by using a small size single axis accelerometer between the handle and the hand palm or a three axis accelerometer attached on an adapter outside the hand(indirect measurement). It is most desirable for the correct evaluation of hand-transmitted vibration form the power tool handle to measure the acceleration between the handle surface and the hand palm in the three axis(direct measurement) as recommended in ISO 5349-1. In the study three axes acceleration measurement device was developed of which the thickness was less than 7mm so that it can be placed between the handle and the palm without any inconvenience during the measurement. To verify the performance of the developed device, measured acceleration by the two methods, direct and indirect, were compared in the study.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2014

Background: Cassava and corn milling is a growing small-scale enterprise in Africa. We aimed to determine the incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints among vibration-exposed Congolese cassava and corn millers in the previous 12 months. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, prior to a follow-up study, from March to May 2013 among cassava/corn millers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, in which 365 millers age-matched to 365 civil workers anonymously answered a questionnaire. Results: Overall incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints was 25.8% in millers (vs. 5.2% in civil workers; p < 0.001). The risk of experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms was seven times higher in millers [vs. civil workers; odds ratio (OR) = 7.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.03-12.50; p < 0.0001]; 2.4 times higher in smoking millers (vs. smoking civil office workers; OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.42-3.88; p < 0.001); 3.6 times higher in millers with longer daily exposure (> 8 hours; vs. those working ${\leq}8$ hours; OR = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.93-3.61; p = 0.026); and 7.4 times higher in young millers (vs. older millers, OR = 7.39; 95% CI: 1.29-75.52; p < 0.001). Smoking, number of cigarettes, and daily exposure duration were positively correlated with musculoskeletal complaints. Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high incidence of musculoskeletal complaints among African cassava and corn millers. The use of anti-vibration protective equipment and the regulation of this hazardous occupation may reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in millers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.159-173
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• 2015

The hand coordinate systems for measuring vibration exposures and biodynamic responses have been standardized, but they are not actually used in many studies. This contradicts the purpose of the standardization. The objectives of this study were to identify the major sources of this problem, and to help define or identify better coordinate systems for the standardization. This study systematically reviewed the principles and definition methods, and evaluated typical hand coordinate systems. This study confirms that, as accelerometers remain the major technology for vibration measurement, it is reasonable to standardize two types of coordinate systems: a tool-based basicentric (BC) system and an anatomically based biodynamic (BD) system. However, these coordinate systems are not well defined in the current standard. Definition of the standard BC system is confusing, and it can be interpreted differently; as a result, it has been inconsistently applied in various standards and studies. The standard hand BD system is defined using the orientation of the third metacarpal bone. It is neither convenient nor defined based on important biological or biodynamic features. This explains why it is rarely used in practice. To resolve these inconsistencies and deficiencies, we proposed a revised method for defining the realistic handle BC system and an alternative method for defining the hand BD system. A fingertip-based BD system for measuring the principal grip force is also proposed based on an important feature of the grip force confirmed in this study.

• International Journal of Clinical Preventive Dentistry
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine about dental hygienists' myofascial pain syndrome, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), medial and lateral epicondylitis, hand-arm vibration syndrom and work-related musculoskeletal syndrome (WMSD) experience and hygienists' posture, motion. Methods: The self-administered questionnaire was surveyed from June 1 to September 30 of 2018 targeting 280 dental hygienists in Gyeongnam province and 266 dental hygienists' answers were analyzed. Results: The average daily working hours of a dental hygienist was more than eight hours 59.0%, with an average of 33 patients per day. The average number of patients who receive treatment for more than 30 minutes is 15. The angle of motion of the subjective evaluation was above 60%. Medical position and form of movement were more than 50% above the standard level. Symptoms of posture and motion that cause WMSD were hand-arm vibration syndrome 68.1%, myofascial pain syndrome 58.6%, lower back pain 51.1%, CTS 50.4% in order. Experience WMSD related symptoms which dental hygienists experience were myofascial pain syndrome 92.9%, CTS 57.9%, lower back pain 56.4%, medial and lateral epicondylitis 37.2%, hand-arm vibration syndrome 24.4%. Conclusion: The above results showed the posture and motion of dental hygienists and were found that the experience rate which dental hygienists experience WMSD of myofascial pain syndrome, Lower back pain, and CTS was significantly more than 56%.