• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.35-43
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to redesign a letter sorting station and to present the optimal work-space through the ergonomic analysis of the sorting station for reducing the 'Work-Related MusculoSkeletal Disorders(WMSDs)'. We surveyed the work environment in terms of the reason causing WMSDs. According to the survey results, Deltoid on the arm, Trapezius on the shoulder and Erector Spinae on the waist are most frequent attacking parts. Accordingly, We classified sorting stations by the horizontal work-space(Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) and the vertical work space(Level 1, Level 2) based on the criteria of ergonomic optimal work-space. In addition we improved the sorting station through investigation and analysis of the work-load regard the each defined work-space. In order to analyze the effect of the horizontal and vertical work-space, subjects carried out simulated sorting tasks. Each level(Level 1, Level 2, Level3) of the horizontal work-space is significant regarding each muscles(the shoulder, arm and waist), and each level(Level 1, Level 2) of the vertical work-space is significant regarding the arm and waist, but not shoulder. Finally, we founded the difference of work-load according to the work-spaces. Then, it is necessary to improve the work-space causing the high work-load(Level 3 of the horizontal work-space). Then, this study presented the specification of a sorting station which is suitable to the korean body size, and constructed the 3D shaped model of the stations by the ergonomic analysis.