• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.567-580
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to find out how the combined exercise program has an influence on the physical recovery of the patients suffering from work-related back problems. Research objects consist of 43 patients suffering from back problems due to workplace accidents. The result of the study shows that the combined exercise program increased muscular strength and endurance significantly and worked positively in lumbar recovery of the patients. It also increased the lowered flexibility caused by back pain to the level of normal state. In addition, the program was effective on the correction of the bad pose of body and scoliosis. Moreover, it helped improve on lifting, social life and reduce in the duration and the frequency of outbreak of pain. Finally, according to the result of this study, the combined exercise program was shown to be effective and appropriate for the patients suffering from work-related back problems.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.37-48
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• 1993

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence rate of low back pain during past one year and its risk factors. The data were collected from 1,384 manufacturing factory workers from March 1, 1992 to August 30, 1992. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The one year prevalence rate of low back pain by manufacturing company was 38.4% in textile manufacturing, 35.2% in concrete reenforcement, 31.0% in cigarette and 26.1% in metal part(P<0.01). 2. In textile manufacturing, age groups with high prevalence rate of low back pain were 30's(36.8%) and 40's(36.4%) (P<0.05), and the one year prevelence rates of low back pain by marital state were 34.9% in married workers and 28.5% in unmarried(P=0.0511). 3. The one year prevelence rates of low back pain by job part are 35.0% in labor workers and 26.1% in clerical(P<0.05), and by work hour per day it was 34.9% in 9 or more and 28.9% in 8 or less(P<0.05). 4. The highest group of low back pain by work posture was 43.5% in 'lifting and transfering materials', and it by fitness of chair was 56.0% in uncomfortable one, and by height of working board was 33.6% in low working one. 5. In logistic regression analysis, significant determinants with low back pain were marital state(p<0.05), work hour per day(P<0.05), height of working board(P<0.01), and work posture(P<0.01).

• 한국사회정책
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.71-104
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• 2018

This paper adopts a distributive performance process model of in-work poverty based on labor markets, households, and welfare states and analyzes the 4-11 waves of the Korean Welfare Panel Study during 2008-15. Previous studies on in-work poverty have focused on the definitions and concepts of in-work poverty by analyzing employment and unemployment persistence and repetition dynamics, but rarely paid attention to institutional distributive performance. In this regard, this study preforms a stepwise analysis of labor markets, households, and welfare states as a process of income generation in labor markets, satisfaction of welfare needs and income pooling at households, and deduction of social security contribution and income tax as well as receipt of public transfer income at welfare states. Results of empirical analysis show that in-work poverty had been on increase during 2008-11, followed by a decrease between 2012-15. At labor market stages, full time status had the most prominent impact on in-work poverty process, while status by employment and contract type have generated a huge variation as well. At household stages, household work intensity and number of earners contributed to reduction of in-work poverty, but the relations did not seen to be straightforward. However, welfare state played little role in lifting employees out of in-work poverty. In terms of institutional distributive process, in-work poverty was prevalent in either household-welfare state stage or labor market-household-welfare stage. Non-vulnerable group in terms of in-risk poverty was around 80% of the sample during the period of analysis, the size of which has remained constant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.163-173
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• 2001

The dynamic behavior characteristics of a small fishing crane for inshore and coastal fishing vessels was experimentally analyzed in order to improve the fishing operation and to reduce considerably manual work of fisherman. The small fishing crane was designed to be controlled electro-hydraulically by means of proportional valves and solenoid valves, and also to be controlled the speed of each operation. The dynamic behavior characteristics was investigated by measuring the changes of parameters such as oil pressure, swing angle of load, load tension, the lifting angle and the swing angle of crane arm when the arms extended in a side way was given a test load. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The designed small fishing crane can be proportionally controlled by means of proportional valves and rapidly by operating the solenoid valves, respectively. The capacity, turning angle, maximum reach of crane were 2 T-M, $180^\circ$, 3.7m, respectively. 2. The vertical change of crane arm on the extension of lifting cylinder was $1.2^\circ$/cm, and the swing speed of crane arm due to the extension of swing cylinder by on/off operations of solenoid valves was $15^\circ$/sec, with the swing period of 1.4 sec and the angle fluctuation of $\pm$11.0$^{\circ}$. 3. When changing simultaneously the horizontal and vertical positions of the lifting load by on/off operations of solenoid valves, the swing and lifting speeds of crane arm were $4.46^\circ$/sec and $6.4^\circ$/sec, respectively. 4. The movements of the designed crane were particularly smooth as they are controlled with the aid of proportional valves than by means of solenoid valves.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.81-88
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• 2014

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.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1106-1116
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• 2018

Study Design: Prospective observational study. Purpose: To evaluate the disability domains relevant to Indian patients with low backache and propose a modified disability questionnaire for such patients. Overview of Literature: The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a self-reported measurement tool that measures both pain and functional status and is used for evaluating disability caused by lower backache. Although ODI remains a good tool for disability assessment, from the Indian perspective questions related to weight lifting and sexual activity of ODI are questioned in some of the earlier studies. Activities of daily living in Indian patients vary substantially from those in other populations and include activities like bending forwards, sitting in floor and squatting which are not represented in the ODI. Methods: In this prospective observational study, a seven-step approach was used for the development of a questionnaire. Thirty patients were interviewed to identify the most challenging issue they faced while performing their daily activities (by free listing) and understand how important the questionnaire items were in terms of the standard ODI. Thus, a comprehensive disability questionnaire comprising 14 questions was developed and administered to 88 patients. Both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative methods (to establish the validity, reliability, and correlation with the Visual Analog Scale [VAS] and Rolland Morris disability questionnaire) were used to identify the 10 questions that best addressed the disability domains relevant to Indian patients. Results: According to free listing, four new questions pertaining to bending forward, sitting on the floor, walking on uneven surfaces, and work-related disabilities were included. In the second phase, wherein the questionnaire with 14 items was used, 56.8% patients did not answer the questions related to sexual activity, whereas 23.8% did not answer those related to walking on uneven surfaces. The modified questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.892) and correlation with the Rolland Morris questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha=0.850, p>0.05), as well as with the VAS score for disability (Cronbach's alpha=0.712, p>0.05) and pain (Cronbach's alpha=0.625, p>0.05). Conclusions: A modified disability questionnaire that was designed by adding two questions related to bending forward and work status and removing questions related to sexual activity and weight lifting or traveling (depending on the occupation) can help evaluate disability caused by back pain in Indian population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.553-562
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• 2010

This survey investigates the conditions of summer working uniforms for contracted foodservice workers. The data were obtained from 67 workers through in-depth interviews (July 2005~October 2005). The results of study are as follows: The working environment changed to menu and cooking method (air temperature $28\sim37^{\circ}C$, humidity 72~86 %RH, radiant temperature $27\sim37^{\circ}C$, air velocity 0.14~0.37m/sec). They answered that the working environment has high temperatures, humidity, excessive noise, and liability to slide. The typical accidents were burns, cuts, slide, and ligament injuries in the workplace. Work duties consisted of cooking, serving food, washing, and cleaning up leftover food. All the employees carried out multi tasks. The primary working postures and motions were standing, crouching, and lifting. The female workers usually wore underwear (panty and brassiere), upper and lower work wear, aprons, waterproof-aprons, cotton-gloves, rubber-gloves, socks, and rubber-boots. The satisfaction of the uniform was relatively low for trousers and waterproof-aprons. The answer about the fit was generally "comfortable." They answered "back," "chest," and "head" were wet with perspiration during work. The uncomfortable parts were the crotch and neck. Questions concerning their satisfaction with the material of uniforms indicated a high rate of dissatisfaction, particularly for ventilation and absorbency. In case of the colors of the working uniform, workers preferred white color for the upper part, and black color for the lower part.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.79-86
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• 2001

The CTD(Cumulative Trauma Disorder) as a new kind of occupational disease occurs mainly to workers on handling line under the highly-specialized industrial environments. This study took into account their exposure to Cumulative Trauma Disorders(CTD) by the utilization of EMG system, with respect to worker's muscle fatigue test according to fulfillment of iterative and simple task. The findings of this study were as follows : From the result of AEMG test analysis, worker's fatigue extent according to elapsed time of task was inclined to be increased continually. On the other hand, after its task ending, their fatigue extent was inclined to be decreased than before-circumstance of refractory brick lifting. The transference of MF(Median Frequency) and MPF(Mean Power Frequency) had highly significant difference between muscle fatigue and the elapsed time of work. Especially, their fatigue extent to erectorspinae and multifidus to lift firebrick was increased in the mean time. The transference of ZCR(Zero Crossing Rate) had considerable significant difference between muscle fatigue and the elapsed time of work. In short, as the work went of the muscle fatigue extent increased gradually. Thus, it can be concluded that the fatigue of erectorspinae and multifidus extent according to fulfillment of iterative and simple task is gradually being increased.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.213-222
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• 1998

The prevalence rate of low back pain in nurses is higher than that of other jobs, because there are many more risk factors(for example, standing postures, lifting and carrying heavy loads, transfering patients, changing a patient's position etc.). This investigation is to provide basic data for prevention of low back pain by analyzing the prevalence rate and related factors of low back pain in nurses(esp. operating room staff) in general hospitals. A self-reported questionaire survey was carried out on three hundred and five nurses of three general hospitals in Seoul from June, 1996 to August, 1996. Subjects of the survey were divided into a low back pain group(LBP) and a cotrol group to investigate the association between low back pain and the general characteristics and work related factors of each group. The results were as follows: 1. In the subjects of the survey, the prevalence rate of low back pain was 60.0% for the last year. 2. 73.6% of operating room(OR) staff complained of low back pain. 3. Standing for a long time and working in twisting postures were associated with low back pain, and so were the shift, the type of work, and the frequency of transfering patients. 4. The weight loads which nurses frequently carried were, under 5kg, 5-10kg, 15-20kg, 15-20kg, over 20kg, and all, except for 10-15kg, were associated with LBP. 5. 76.9% of the LBP experienced low back pain within 3 years after starting nursing jobs. 6. Concerning the degrees of low back pain: 75.8% was limited to waist; 18.8% reached the knees; 4.2% reached ankles. In conclusion, the prevalence rate of low back pain in general hospital nurses was associated with the works in operating room and other work related factors, therefore it is necessary to develop on educational program for the prevention of low back pain as well as and to improve working environments.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.113-121
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• 2011

This study developed a method of calculating dynamic wearing ease (DWE) to make patterns for coverall work clothing. The DWE was measured from 3D body scan data of women in their 20's (n = 10). The body postures adopted for measuring the DWE were sitting and deep bending postures. Three types of experimental patterns (A, B, C) were developed. The DWE was applied at the waist and hip lines of the pattern. The location and size of the DWE varied from one pattern to another. For pattern B, DWE of 8.8cm was applied at the back of the waistline. For pattern C, 5.3cm was applied at the waist for the center back line, and 3.5cm was applied at the under hip level. The comfort of the experimental clothing was evaluated in six body postures. The results showed that patterns B and C were comfortable at the crotch, shoulders, and arm pits. Pattern C was comfortable at the hip and crotch areas in the arms lifting-up posture and the stepping-up posture. The appearance and fit of the experimental clothing were evaluated by the panels. Patterns B and C fitted better than pattern A at the abdomen. The results suggest that DWE should be applied at the waist and hip levels for making coverall work clothing patterns.