• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.264-275
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• 2006

MSDs(Musculoskeletal Disorders) and Job Stress have been recognized as one of major problems in industry these days according to the results of most industrial health/safety studies. Specifically, MSDs have been growing problems in Korea as well as in US and European countries with higher incidence rate every year. This study tries to understand characteristics of job stress and association between MSDs and job stress for the workers at automobile manufacturing industry. This study also tries to understand the differences in terms of job stress between white collar and blue collar workers. The results showed that there was definite association between symptoms of MSDs and some of major job stress factors. However, there were big differences in terms of associations between two groups(white collar and blue collar workers). The first group(white collar workers) showed more associations between symptoms of MSDs and some of major job stress factors than that of the second group(blue collar workers) although symptom rate of the second group was higher than that of the first group. It could be concluded that symptoms of the first group had more effects from job stress while symptoms of the second group had more effects from typical job risk factors based on the results of the study.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.75-78
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• 2018

Background: To identify work sectors with high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Korean men and women. Methods: We analyzed nationwide data to identify ergonomic risk factors in Korean employees. In particular, we analyzed data on exposure to five ergonomic risk factors (painful/tiring postures, lifting/moving heavy materials, standing/walking, repetitive hand/arm movements, and hand/arm vibration) according to employment sector, sex, and age, using the 2014 Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey. We also used workers' compensation data on work-related MSDs in 2010, which is available by sex. Results: The different work sectors had different gender distributions. "Manufacturing" (27.7%) and "construction" (11.3%) were dominated by males, whereas "human health and social work activities" (12.4%), "hotel and restaurants" (11.7%), and "education" (10.4%) were dominated by females. However, "wholesale and retail trade" and "public administration and defense" employed large numbers of males and females. Furthermore, the work sectors with a greater proportion of work-related MSDs and with multiple ergonomic risk factors were different for men and women. For men, "construction" and "manufacturing" had the highest risk for work-related MSDs; for women, "hotel and restaurants" had the highest risk for work-related MSDs. Conclusion: Ergonomic interventions for workers should consider gender and should focus on work sectors with high risk for MSDs, with multiple ergonomic risk factors, and with the largest number of workers.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.385-397
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• 2006

A high prevalence of farmer's work-related musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) have been reported in precedent studies. To offer the basic data for reducing the melon farmer's MSDs, a questionnaire survey about MSDs symptoms and work loaded body part and video analysis by 3 checklist(REBA, RULA, OWAS) for musculoskeletal risk assessment were carried. 94 melon farmers for this questionnaire and 1 typical farm for risk assessment were participated. A total of 80.9% of the farmers reported musculoskeletal symptoms and 60.6% reported musculoskeletal symptoms over NIOSH standard. The mainly symptom body part is low back, knee and shoulders. Main risk factors in melon farm are awkward postures, heavey/frequent lifting and repetitive hand/arm motions. The high risk tasks induced by video analysis were harvesting, removing the sprouts and covering with rags. These result can be used practically for planning intervention strategy and programs to prevent farmer's MSDs.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.525-534
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• 2011

This paper describes the current status of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) and its ergonomic risk factors, including the preventive intervention in terms of the working conditions and health promotion among agricultural workers. Korean agricultural workers have been exposed to the poor working condition. They have suffered from a variety of work-related injury and diseases more than the general population or the other occupational group. MSDs are one of the most prevalent problems threatening the agricultural worker's health and quality of life. Low back pain, osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint and carpal tunnel syndrome are well known MSDs that was found easily and frequently among agricultural workers. MSDs are worsened by poor ergonomic working conditions such as heavy weight lifting, repetitive movement and awkward posture which involves squatting with long sitting work on the ground, long working hours and heavy workload which are inherent in the greater part of agricultural works. Even though Korean agricultural workers are very weak population in terms of occupational safety and health, no many studies were conducted in the past and no many social and institutional supports were provided sufficiently. We need more interests and efforts in agricultural fields to improve its working condition and to promote health status of agricultural workers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.90-96
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• 2015

Background: The physical work demands of construction work can be reduced using ergonomic measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ergonomic measures related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among construction workers. Methods: A questionnaire was sent at baseline and 2 years later to 1,130 construction workers. We established (1) the proportion of workers reporting an increase in their use of ergonomic measures, (2) the proportion of workers reporting a decrease in MSDs, (3) the relative risk for an increase in the use of ergonomic measures and a decrease in MSDs, and (4) workers' knowledge and opinions about the use of ergonomic measures. Results: At follow-up, response rate was 63% (713/1,130). The proportion of workers using ergonomic measures for vertical transport increased (34%, 144/419, p < 0.01); for measures regarding horizontal transport and the positioning of materials, no change was reported. The proportion of workers reporting shoulder complaints decreased (28%, 176/638, p = 0.02). A relationship between the use of ergonomic measures and MSDs was not found; 83% (581/704) of the workers indicated having sufficient knowledge about ergonomic measures. Lightening the physical load was reported to be the main reason for using them. Conclusion: Only the use of ergonomic measures for vertical transport increased over a 2-year period. No relationship between the use of ergonomic measures and MSDs was found. Strategies aimed at improving the availability of ergonomic equipment complemented with individualized advice and training in using them might be the required next steps to increase the use of ergonomic measures.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2015

Objectives: The major objectives of this study are to review the U.S. Standard which affected Korean worker's Right-to-Know Standard and to propose the way of improving the reliability of MSDS and labels. Methods: To review the U.S. Standard historically, we used the Federal Register, other criteria documentation and peer-reviewed literatures. Then we analysed major issues in the historical debatement on the worker's Right-to-Know Standard. Results: Korean MSDS Standard benchmarked the U.S. Hazard Communication Standard which finally established by President Reagan in 1983. Reagan's Hazard Communication Standard was aimed to preempt States Right-to-Know Acts for chemical industry and not to improve the awareness of workers on chemical hazards. Too much protection on trade secrets and low reliability of hazard information were key problems of the U.S. Standard. Conclusions: We recommend some ways to improve Korean MSDS and Label Standard. First, A new analysis frame is needed to understand the U.S Standard. Second, hazard identification is the key element of reliable information and chemical name and CAS number should be on the label of the container. Third, trade secrets should be limited to low hazardous substances and be permitted by government before the chemical product is on the market.

• 한국지역사회생활과학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.5-17
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to analyze the factors regarding work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in fruit-growers and offer the fundamental data for work improvement. The 587 fruit-growers (409 males and 178 females) working with 5 kinds of fruit: apple, pear, peach, grape, and mandarin participated in a questionnaire survey regarding MSDs and health condition in 2004 and 2005. The results are as follows: 1. Smoking rate was highest in apple growers. 2. Drinking rates were highest in male peach growers and in female grape growers. 3. Regular exercise rates were higher in pear and mandarin growers. 4. Physical and mental fatigue was higher in females than in males in most cases. 5. The prevalence rate of medically diagnosed diseases was highest for osteoarthritis (16.4%), herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP, 13.5%), and chronic gastritis/gastric ulcer (10.5%). As well as, the prevalence of dermatosis was higher in pear and mandarin growers. 6. The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal symptoms among the various pain areas was highest for lower back, shoulders, and knees. The prevalence rate was also high for lower back, shoulder, and knee pain in apple and grape growers. 7. The significant indexes used determining the musculoskeletal symptoms were BMI, working period, and regular exercise. These results can be practically used for work improvement for the fruit-growers to prevent MSDs.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.156-172
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• 1999

Potential chemical hazards encountered in painting operation of four shipyards and a ship-repair shop were investigated through the material safety data sheets (MSDS). Material safety data sheets (MSDS) for 307 paints, 50 thinners and 34 binders were collected and reviewed. It was shown that various organic solvents such as aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, glycols, glycol ether acetates and esters were contained in painting materials. Of these solvents, xylene was found in the largest number of painting materials. sixty percent of the thinners contained xylene in the contents of 20-100%. Other most frequently found solvents were 1-methoxypropanol, 1-methoxypropyl acetate, n-butanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, isopropanol, and n-butyl acetate, etc. Glycol ethers such as 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME), 2-methoxyethyl acetate (2-MEA), 2-ethoxyethanol (2-EE), 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (2-EEA) and 2-butoxyethanol (2-BA) were regarded as having the potential to cause adverse reproductive effects, embryotoxic effect and hematotoxic effects, and were found in some epoxy panting materials. Coal tar pitch was included in some paints(13%) where polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) could be contaminated. Inorganic pigments such as lead chromate and zinc potassium chromate were found in some paints (8%). The epoxy resin based paints, which may contain isocyanates such as toluene diisocyanates and hexamethylene diisocyanates causing potential sensitization and asthma to upper respiratory organ, were mostly used in the shipyards. The constituents in the MSDS were significantly different from the results analyzed using gas chromatography/mass detector: minor constituents or impurities were omitted in many MSDS. In conclusion, xylene was the most frequent organic solvent in painting materials, and glycol ethers, including 2-ME, 2-MEA, 2-EE, 2-EEA and 2-BA, were found some products. Also, painting workers may be exposed to PAHs, lead, chromate, isocyanates, organic tin and other various chemicals. The compositions of chemicals in painting materials were variable significantly, and the hazards were changed. These facts should be considered in environmental monitoring and control of the hazards.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.293-300
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• 2012

Objectives: In chemical hazard communication, information receiver's perception is a important factor, but the study on the perception was few. Therefore, this study evaluated the perception of managers and workers group about chemical hazard communication by chemical hazard communication tools that were being used in fields. Methods: 91 managers and 238 workers were surveyed in two companies where use chemicals. All subjects were asked about the comprehensibility and perception for MSDS and GHS Pictograms being used in their workplaces through face-to-face interviews. Results: Most of the respondents knew MSDS, and more than half of the respondents had used MSDS once or more per year. The level of use to find the information on chemicals with MSDS was higher in the managers in comparison with workers. Also, the managers could understand and find the information on MSDS easier(p < 0.05). In the question asking the meaning of GHS Pictograms, the managers responded more correctly, as well(p < 0.05). 86.8% of the managers and 62.6% of the workers were conscious of the possible health hazards of chemicals that they could be exposed at work. However, among the respondents conscious of the health hazards, only less than 70% were well aware of the contents of the health hazards correctly. Conclusions: In chemical hazard communication, it is very important to evaluate whether information receiver have proper and correct knowledge and perception or not and actions based on the evaluations as well as provide correct information.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.293-300
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• 2016

Objectives: This study is designed to survey the current status of trade secrets in GHS MSDS circulated in workplaces and indicate problems in the chemical information system. According to the survey results, we suggest management plans including political improvement of the trade secret system for MSDS and technical support to workplaces following enhanced chemical communication. Methods: To review this subject, we selected 153 manufacturers and six importers working in such fields as organic chemical production. We then investigated the retention status of GHS MSDS, application of trade secrets, and the content of trade secret components in MSDSs for mixtures. Results and Conclusions: Within the results, the content of trade secret ingredients was 67.4% (single: 9.0%, mixture: 75.6%). This is an increase compared with the previous results of 45.5% in 2011. Among 59,393 GHS MSDSs, 74.5% had ingredients less than 10% trade secret components, 19.1% had 10-30%, 1.8% had 30-50%, and 4.6% had more than 50%. To settle this issue, we recommend registration or evaluation of trade secrets as implemented in advanced countries. Also, business should be required to undergo regular evaluations of application status for trade secrets in workplace GHS MSDS.