• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.43-56
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• 2003

Observational methods such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA have been widely used to identify posture-related risks of musculoskeletal disorders in industry, since they are useful and efficient in evaluating postural stresses. However. there are few studies comparing the methods and providing guidelines for selecting and using the methods. They have been developed based on different backgrounds and with different application areas. Each method has its own characteristics. which must be considered in selecting and using them. In this study. 17 male subjects evaluated 42 different working postures that frequently assumed in the automobile assembly line using a psychophysical method. The postures were then evaluated by different observational methods. The results of the observational methods were compared with psychophysically evaluated stresses. The observational methods resulted in different values of stresses for certain postures. For some postures showing high values of perceived discomfort. the observational methods showed different values of stresses. These results showed that the observational methods should be used differently according to application area and they have some weak points to be improved.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2005.07c
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• pp.2001-2003
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• 2005

Various organic acid were used in order to prepare new metalorganic deposition solution for high quality $REBa_2Cu_3O_{7-{\delta}}$ (RE=Y, Eu, Gd) films. Prepared fluorine free MO precursor solution was coated on single crystal (001) $LaAlO_3$ (LAO) by dip coating method. Processing parameters such as oxygen partial pressure, water vapor, ramping rate and pyrolysis temperature etc havebeen controlled in order to make high $J_c$ films with a good epitaxial relationship with substrate. 0.5 micron-thick film was obtained by single coating and no crack appeared after calcination. Oxygen partial pressure was varied in the range of $100{\sim}1,000 ppm$ and conversion heat treatment was carried out at the temperature of $725{\sim}765^{\circ}C$. A critical transition temperature $(T_{c0})$ of 90K and a critical transport current density $(J_c)$ of $>0.5MA/cm^2$ (77K and self-field) were demonstrated for the YBCO film on (001) oriented LAO substrates with a thickness of 0.5 micron. $I_c$ was determined by utilizing a transport measurement. SEM and XRD investigations confirmed that films were grown epitaxially onto the LAO single crystal substrate. It is thought that fluorine free new MOD solutionis promising for high quality REBCO films.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.151-162
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• 2022

This study was conducted to develop a rail-type boom sprayer, performing safe spraying with improved ergonomic postures during pesticide spraying of agro-photovoltaic power system. The sprayer was designed to reduce labor cost and to be safe from pesticide exposure, and was analyzed through a comparison with a conventional spray method. The rail-type boom sprayer, consisted of a self-propelled spray and hose winder, hose, and boom sprayer parts, was designed to automatically pull and spray in the vertical and horizontal directions. The performance of the sprayer for an agro-photovoltaic power system was appropriate. From the analysis of postures with the Ovako Working posture Analysis System (OWAS), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) methods, the musculoskeletal risk factors to the body using the rail-type boom sprayer were less than those with the conventional power sprayer. In addition, the possibility of pesticide poisoning was reduced compared to the conventional power sprayer. The working capacity with the rail-type boom sprayer was more than five times greater, compared with the conventional power sprayer. After performing pesticide spraying with the rail-type boom sprayer, the labor cost was reduced to 42,750 won·yr^-1, which was 90% (402,750 won·yr^-1) less than the cost with the use of a conventional power sprayer (445,500 won·yr^-1).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.355-364
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• 2023

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to identify mycobacterial infection in retired dusty workers who were ineligible for medical care benefits for work-related pneumoconiosis. Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 170 retired dusty workers living in Gangwon-do. The mycobacterial culture was grown in 2% Ogawa medium and Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube(MGIT). Mycobacterial species were identified using MolecuTech REBA Myco-ID^Ⓡ. Results: Thirty-one(18.2%) out of 170 sputum samples were identified as positive for culture. Among the positive culture samples, eleven(6.5%) were identified as mycobacterial species. The proportion of mycobacteria was M. avium 2.3%(4/170), M. fortuitum complex 1.2%(2/170), M. intracellulare 1.2%(2/170), M. abscessus 0.6%(1/170), M. tuberculosis(MTB) complex 0.6%(1/170), and MYC(NTM except 19 species) 0.6%(1/170). Conclusions: In comparison with previous studies, the incidence rate of tuberculosis(TB) in retired dusty workers who were ineligible for medical care benefits for work-related pneumoconiosis was higher than in close contact with TB patients, workers exposed to silica, and patients with silicosis. And the proportion of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria(NTM) was higher than that of MTB.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2024

This study aims to compare six observational methods for assessing arm- and hand-intensive tasks, based on literature review. The comparison was conducted in viewpoints of body regions, force/external load, motion repetition, other factors including static posture, coupling, duration/break, pace, temperature, precision task, and final risk or exposure level. The number of risk factors assessed was more, and assessment procedure was more complex than the observational methods for assessing whole-body postural loads such as Ovako Working Posture Analysis System(OWAS), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment(RULA), and Rapid Entire Body Assessment(REBA). Due to these, the intra- and inter-reliabilities were not high. A past study showed that while Hand Arm Risk Assessment Method(HARM) identified the smallest proportion of the work tasks as high risk, Strain Index(SI) and Quick Exposure Check(QEC) hand/wrist were the most rigorous with classifying most work tasks as high risk. This study showed that depending on the observational technique compared, the evaluation factors, risk or exposure level, and evaluation results were different, making it necessary to select a technique appropriate for the characteristics of the work being assessed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 2017.04a
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• pp.143-143
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• 2017

산업이 고도화됨에 따라 자동화 기계 및 로봇에 의해 대량 생산 되는 품목과 달리, 작업 절차의 비정형성, 비연속성 등으로 인해 여전히 농업에 많은 인력이 투입되고 있다. 국제노동기구에 따르면, 세계 인력의 절반이 농업 인력에 해당하고 작업 중 부상이나 사망 등으로 인해 가장 위험한 직업군 중 하나에 해당하는 것으로 나타났다. 시설 재배 농업의 경우, 노동집약적인 온실 내 작업 특성상 잘못된 자세로 작업하거나 지나친 작업량 등으로 인해 작업자에게 근골격계 질환이 발생할 수 있다. 근골격계 질환으로 인해 작업효율이 감소하거나 생산비용의 증가로 이어질 수 있으며, 농가 수익에 손실이 발생할 수 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 현행 시설 재배 농업에서 사용되는 레일 전동 작업차를 이용하여 작업자가 토마토를 수확할 때의 신체에 대한 농작업의 부하를 평가하고자 하였다. 작업차를 이용한 주요 작업 절차는 작물로부터 과실 수확, 과실 상자에 과실 투입, 빈 과실 상자와 가득 찬 과실 상자의 교대, 작업차 위의 과실 상자를 운반용 파레트에 하역하는 순서로 이루어지는 것을 확인하였다. 비디오장비로 촬영된 일련의 농작업 과정을 OWAS, RULA, REBA와 같은 체크리스트형 인간공학적 작업 부하 평가 도구를 이용하여 평가한 결과, 기존 레일 전동 작업차를 이용한 농작업의 근골격계 질환 유발 가능성을 확인하였다. 동작별 위험성을 토대로 근골격계 질환 유발 가능성이 높아 개선이 필요한 농작업 동작을 선정하였다. 선정된 동작은 실험실 내 환경에서 피실험자를 통한 모의 동작의 생체 신호 계측을 통해 신체 부하 정도를 정량적으로 측정할 수 있으며, 보조가 필요한 신체 부위를 특정하거나 안전성 확보가 필요한 동작에 대한 증거가 될 수 있다. 본 연구를 통해 향후 토마토 온실 내 신선도 유지를 위한 레일 전동 작업차의 개발에 작업자의 안전과 효율성 향상을 위한 인간공학적 설계를 적용할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to present the basic materials of a developmental counterplan by assessing prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and characteristics of work-related ergonomic risk factors. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms of 64 vineyard workers was investigated by using a self-reported questionnaire. And the vineyard workers' tasks were also collected and analyzed during 9-month period by observing and videotaping methods to identify the ergonomic risk factors. The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal symptoms of female(84.4%) was much higher than that of male(62.5%) and a total prevalence rate was 73.4%. There was no different prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms between age over 60 years and under 60 years. The prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints for each body part were 48.4%, 42.2%, and 35.9% for the wrist, legs/knee, and shoulder, respectively. In postural risk analysis, 7 works(REBA score) represented the high risk tasks such as delivering harvest boxed(12), picking cluster(11) and so on. The main works(exposure score) were orderly ranked as picking cluster(1590), pruning branch(388), and cluster thinning(327). The risk factors of vineyard work were identified as follows: shoulder flexion(${\geq}45^{\circ}$), wrist Flex./Ext.(${\geq}15^{\circ}$), hand force(power/pinch-grip), and prolonged standing(${\geq}4hr$). The engineering solutions including an improvement of hand tools, working process, and working environment should be applied to the high risky tasks in order to resolve the ergonomic problems. The administrative solutions such as improving a distribution of resting time, an exercise cure, an early recognition of symptoms and rehabilitation might be another solution for reducing musculoskeletal symptoms in vineyard workers.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.119-127
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• 2014

This study tried to develop a basis for quantitative index of working postures associated with WMSDs (Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders) that could overcome realistic restriction during application of typical checklists for WMSDs evaluation. The baseline data(for a total of 603 jbs) for this study was obtained from automobile manufacturing company. Specifically, data for back posture was analyzed in this study to have a better and more objective method in terms of job relevance than typical methods such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA. Major statistical tools were clustering, logistic regression and so on. The main results in this study could be summarized as follows; 1) The relationship between working posture and WMSDs symptom at back was statistically significant based on the results from logistic regression, 2) Based on clustering analysis, three levels for WMSDs risk at back were produced for flexion as follows: low risk(< $18.5^{\circ}$), medium risk($18.5^{\circ}{\sim}36.0^{\circ}$), high risk(> $36.0^{\circ}$), 3) The sensitivities on risk levels of back flexion was 93.8% while the specificities on risk levels of back flexion was 99.1%. The results showed that the data associated with back postures in this study could provide a good basis for job evaluation of WMSDs at back. Specifically, this evaluation methodology was different from the methods usually used at WMSDs study since it tried to be based on direct job relevance from real working situation. Further evaluation for other body parts as well as back would provide more stability and reliability in WMSDs evaluation study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2012

Though there might exist not a few differences between cyclic works and atypical works, many researchers have applied the same assessment techniques that used for repetitive works, which may result introduce bias in their conclusions. This research aimed to verify whether there exist non-negligible work characteristics and/or dissimilarity among works with different work nature and whether one of the most prevalent assessment techniques for assessing ergonomic hazards of musculoskeletal disorders, REBA, can be applied to atypical works. For a general hospital, an automobile repair shop, and two auto-part assembly plants which manufactures quite different parts, a questionnaire survey and field investigation and ergonomic assessment were carried out and analyzed statistically with reference to the 3rd Quantification technique. The results showed that there exist remarkable difference between physical factors in cyclic works and atypical non-cyclic works. As for repetitive work, body posture was significant factors affecting on musculoskeletal disorders while atypical works seemed to have none which implied that the necessity of taking psychosocial factors into account for assessment of hazards. Complain rate in repetitive works was highest shoulder, back, and neck or wrist in sequence. However, there existed no consistent trend in complain rate in atypical works. And, though weight of manufacturing objects was a common factor that can partly explain musculoskeletal complain, time duration was significant in atypical work whereas repeatability and body posture were significant in repetitive works. As being the results, to summarize, it could be said that application of conventional ergonomic assessment techniques regardless of repetitiveness would be fruitless, and that the necessity of a unique methodology focused on atypical non-cyclic works should not be neglected.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.409-418
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• 2011

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the child-care teachers' job in relation to physical work. Background: Child-care teacher is directly related to the quality of child care. And their physical activity is higher than general education teachers because the proportion of day care is high. But analyzes of child-care teachers' job burdens and the work environment associated with physical activity is not well established. Method: To conduct this study, the child-care teachers' job was classified into 18 physical works. After classification, posture was evaluated by ergonomic posture evaluation schemes of OWAS, RULA, REBA and evaluated for each physical part. Next, musculoskeletal subjective symptoms were analyzed. Results: The results showed the following: The highest assessment on the posture evaluation was "helping children to ride a school bus", "feeding: meal/snack", "brushing children's teeth" and "arrangement of nap-stuff". The rank of high-risk assessment on the neck/trunk/leg part was arranged by: "feeding: meal/snack", "helping children to ride a school bus", "making nap", "arrangement nap-stuff" and "brushing children's teeth". The rank of high-risk assessment on the upper limbs part was arranged by: "helping children to ride a school bus", "the bust - group activity", "meal/snack time - preparing, feeding, arrangement", "nap time - preparing, arrangement", "brushing children's teeth", and "using the toilet". According to the results of each musculoskeletal subjective symptom, teachers ordered the pain area as follows: waist, shoulder, leg/feet, and neck, and they showed more pain on trunk than the upper limbs. Conclusion: To sum up the results from ergonomic posture evaluation and a subjective symptom, the following are high working pressures: "feeding: meal/snack", "the bust - group activity", "making nap", "brushing children's teeth" with deep bending and waist twisting, "helping children to ride a school bus", "brushing children's teeth" with lifting shoulder; "meal/snack time - preparing, arrangement", "nap time - preparing, arrangement", and "using the toilet" with moving or an up-down position in their job. Application: The results of this study might be information for improvement of the child-care teachers' job environment.