• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.37-50
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• 2001

Objects : This study is to be applied effectively to the acupuncture treatment for VDT syndrome. Methods : I referred to occidental and oriental medical records. Results and Conclusion : VDT syndrom is the concept focalizing work environment and labor load, and named all that symptoms according to excessive VDT works. The disorders of VDT syndrome is divided into 2 groups with muscaloskeletal disorders and non-musculoskeletal disorders, and non-musculoskeletal disorders is secondly divided into 3 groups with visual disorders, stress disorders and others. The risk factor of VDT syndrome is divided 4 groups with repetitive acts, consistent works, uncomfortable work postures, unprofitable light environments, jobs needs for excessive power and mental or physical fatigues. In oriental medicine area, I apply VDT syndrome to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛) to base on similarities of the risk factors and disorders between VDT syndrome and Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛), that is painful illness on shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. And, Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛) is divided 3 groups into Susamuhm(shousanyin, 手三陰), Susamyang(shousanyang, 手三陽) and Joktaeyang(zutaiyang, 足太陽) on the ground of meridian. Disorders related to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛) is grounded on kyungmaek(Jingmai, 經脈) disorder called sidongbyung(shidongbing, 是動病) and sosaengbyung(suoshengbing, 所生病) and Kyungkeun(Jingjin,經筋) disorder related to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛). As a result of this study, there is many similarities between VDT syndrome and Kyunbitong (jianbeitong, 肩臂痛). On acupuncture treatment, VDT syndrome can be applied to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛)'s on the basis of meridians, because of similarities of risk factors and disorders between VDT syndrome and Kyunbitong(jienbeitong, 肩臂痛).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.209-214
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• 2011

Objectives: To assess the risk of pushing or pulling the yarn-carrying cart, the survey was performed in some fiber manufacturing factories. Methods: We selected 6 fiber-twisting factories which agreed to in-site survey of their workplace. To measure both initial and sustained forces of the push-pull tasks, Chatillon CSD500 dynamometer(2004, Ametek, USA) was used. The mean of 3 tests for the same cart was adopted as the measured forces. Height and width of cart, weight of spooled yarns, and distance of movement were also measured. Inspection of cart wheel, moving path, and the actual hand position while moving was done. Results: More than one pushing or pulling task exceeded the push-pull force limits of design goal in 5 factories. Though the cart was not loaded the heaviest weight in the factory, the measured push or pull force exceeded the limits several times. A few cart wheels were worn out and tangled with pieces of yarn. It was also observed some holes in the moving path. Conclusions: While the push-pull task is not included in the 11 scopes of over-burdened work notified by Korean government, it should be recognized as risk factor of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The maintenance work such as regular change and frequent cleaning of cart wheel, the use of fitting wheel, and flattening of bumpy floor through the moving path should be advised importantly in the worksite management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.390-402
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• 2009

This study aimed to examine the general characteristics of individual workers, psychosocial working environment, and ergonomic risk factors which affect the status of musculoskeletal disorders. Self-report was carried out for musculoskeletal symptoms and ergonomic risks in working environment in 856 production workers in 16 small to medium sized manufacturing companies. Musculoskeletal symptoms were examined with a standardized questionnaire, and ergonomic risks were evaluated with a qualitative self-administered instrument for the tasks related to musculoskeletal disorders. Major findings were as follows: 1) Complaint rate for musculoskeletal symptoms was higher in female, aged, married workers with longer working hours, less leisure/hobby activity, longer household working hours and history of disease or accident. 2) Complaint rate for musculoskeletal symptoms was significantly higher in workers with dissatisfaction, difficult tasks, and no self-control at work. 3) Complaint rate for musculoskeletal symptoms was significantly higher in workers involved in tasks with major ergonomic risk factors, and handling heavy equipment. 4) Explanatory power increased the model with the musculoskeletal symptoms as dependent variable and demographic variables, psychosocial working environment and ergonomic risk factors included, and total explanatory power of 18.6% revealed the significant effect. Based on the results, we can conclude that musculoskeletal symptoms in manufacturing workers are associated with individual demographic characteristics, psychosocial working environment and ergonomic risk factors.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2012

Importance of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has been increasing in the hospital industry such as health care industry and financial industry. This study investigated in order to identify the factors like general, occupational and ergonomically characteristics of the subjects related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of physical therapists (PTs). Ergonomic tools of rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used for evaluation workload of the tasks. Prevalence of MSDs were 13 PTs (26.0%) for neck, 31 PTs (62.0%) for shoulder, 9 PTs (18.0%) for arm/elbow, 27 PTs (54.0%) for hand/wrist, 28 PTs (56.0%) for back, 14 PTs (28.0%) for leg/foot. The analysis of the rate of the pain intensity showed that 53.5% subjects experience moderate pain and 14.0% subjects experience severe pain. Factors which were general characteristics, for example, height, ergonomically characteristics such as 'Posture Score A' were related musculoskeletal subjective symptoms in logistic analysis (p<.05). Among physical therapists, action level of RULA were action level 2 (6.0%), action level 3 (52.0%), action level 4 (42.0%). Physical therapists were estimated one of the highest risk factor in this study. This study suggested that the need of preventive education and program for PTs (physical therapists). Comprehensive and systematic management plans should be established to include both ergonomic and sociopsychological aspects.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.440-447
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• 2022

Background: Agricultural handle equipment is present on all production areas' farms. They are handy and portable; however, excessive use can lead to acute traumas or accidental injuries. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, and hand-arm vibrations predispose them to pain and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to observe the interaction of handle equipment in terms of electromyographic activity and analyze the postural work-related alterations. Materials and methods: Twenty male agricultural operators, mean age 24±1.54 years, underwent the electromyographic analysis testing their muscular activities with a brushcutter, electric saw, and hedge trimmer in four different test conditions. Results: The brushcutter proved to be the agricultural handle equipment with the higher mean frequency (3.37±0.38 Hz) and root mean square (5.25±1.24 ms^-2). Furthermore, the digital postural analysis showed a general asymmetry of the main arm and the respective side of the trunk. The head resulted right inclined in the anterior frontal plane by 5.7°±1.2°; the right scapula lower than the left in the posterior frontal plane (8.5°±1.8°), and a working trunk inclination of 34.15°±5.7°. Conclusions: Vibrations of handle equipment and awkward working postures represent a risk for agricultural operators. Preventive measures are required to avoid young operators from experiencing musculoskeletal disorders all lifelong.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.255-267
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in farmers. Methods: In order to examine the factors affecting the musculoskeletal symptoms among farmers, data of 'Occupational Disease Survey for Farmers' was performed by the RDA(Rural Development Administration). Results: The odds ratio of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among female farmers were 1.42(1.30-1.56) times higher than male farmers. The older aging and longer the agricultural work period, the higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms was shown. By major crops, all crop farmers showed higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms compared to rice crop farmers. As a result of examining the effective factors on the odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms by body parts, female farmers had higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms than male farmers by 1.38(1.26-1.51) times in waist, 1.58(1.44-1.74) times in knee, 1.32(1.05-0.67) times in hand/wrist, and 1.30(1.06-1.59) times in foot/ankle. By crops, animal husbandry farmers had higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms than rice crop farmers by 1.44(0.89-2.35) times in waist, and field crop farmers were 1.37(1.07-1.77) times higher in knee. Compared with rice crop farmers, odds ratio of the shoulder part the shoulder parts were 1.19(0.81-1.76) times higher in greenhouse crop farmers and 1.16(0.97-1.38) times higher in dry field crop farmers. Odds ratio of the hands/wrist parts were higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms than rice crop farmers by 1.69(1.00-2.87) times in greenhouse crop farmers. Conclusions: The results of this study would help to select the group that needs to be managed first, and could be used as basic data for the development of customized musculoskeletal disorders prevention programs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.4 s.76
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• pp.114-118
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• 2006

Recently, work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) is one of the major issues in the shipbuilding industry. The number of injured workers has rapidly increased and demands for workers compensation, improvement of work condition and environment to prevent WMSDs become larger. To protect and reduce WMSDs in the shipbuilding industry, simulation technique which showed it's ability of increasing the manufacturing productivity will be applied, because simulation technique has the evaluation ability for a worker's danger level of production process by human activity analysis. In our research, we modeled worker's attitude and simulated worker's action. We evaluated the caution level, compared and analyzed the difference point of digital human which made on computer and actual worker's attitude to check feasibility of human modeling and simulation in the shipbuilding industry.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2005

Evaluation of repetitiveness for upper extremity intensive tasks is essential to determine the level of risk for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders at the workplace. However, experimental data available to establish the acceptable levels of repetitiveness for various postures and forces is lacking. The present study examined the maximum acceptable frequencies(MAFs; motions/min.) of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and index finger motions at different forces(1kgf and 4kgf for shoulder, elbow, and wrist; 0.25kgf and 1 kgf for index finger) in sitting. Seventeen right-handed males in 20s without having any history musculoskeletal disorders participated in the MAF experiment. The participants determined their MAFs for the upper extremity motions by using the self-adjustment method and their work pulse(increase in heart rate; beats/min.) and rating of perceived exertion(RPE) were measured when working at MAF. The MAFs of elbow, wrist, and index finger motions for each force level were about 2, 3, and 6 times the corresponding MAF(9 at the high force and 24 at the low force) of shoulder motion and the MAFs at the low force increased about 2 times those at the high force. The work pulses of elbow, wrist, and index finger motions for each force level were 70%, 50%, and 30% of the corresponding work pulse(17 at the high force and 12 at the low force) of shoulder motion and the work pulses at the low force were about 70 % of those at the high force. Lastly, the RPEs of the upper extremity regions were about level 3(moderate) or below.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-29
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• 2006

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to survey the extent of pain and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system among visiting housekeepers, above all concerning neck, shoulder, back, wrist, knee, and arm pain and to find possible relations between symptoms and various working conditions. Method: A questionnaire was answered by 174 woman visiting housekeepers living in Kyeonggi-do and Seoul from December 1, 2003 to February 30, 2004. The symptoms of musculoskeletal system were coded by the pain index which illustrates the extent of the symptoms, and analyzed in view of NIOSH guideline and Kim, et. al.'s notion. Result: 1. As to the complaint rate of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms by body region, the figure was the highest for shoulder with 78.2%, followed by back with 66.7%, knee 53.6%, neck 56.3%, wrist 40.2%, and arm 29.2%, respectively. The logistic analysis showed shoulder pain and arm pain have no relation with working and health conditions, and back pain was significantly related to current health condition. In same way, knee pain and wrist pain were found to be mainly related to marital status. 2. Following the NIOSH guideline, the positive rate of subjective musculoskeletal symptoms was found out in following order: shoulder 69.5%, back 59.2%, knee 54%, neck 46%, wrist 32.8%, and arm 25.3%. To investigate the main cause of each disease, the symptoms were classified by pain index, where the value of more than 3 comes to the NIOSH case, and analyzed in term of complaint rate using discrete logistical method : shoulder pain was highly related to the housekeeping time after work, back pain was to current health condition and the heavy weight carrying and neck, wrist, arm pain were commonly related to the ordinary health condition. For knee pain, working speed was a main cause. 3. In view of Kim et. al.'s standard, where the pain index is over 7, the positive rate was showed in order slightly different from previous analyses : shoulder 33.3%. knee 29.9%, back 28.2%, neck 17.2%, wrist 17.2%, and 16.7%. From the logistical analysis, insufficient rest was shown as the main cause of shoulder, back, arm and wrist pain. For neck pain, ordinary health condition was mainly related. In case of knee pain, any apparent relation is not found. Conclusion: According to the logistic regression analysis of musculoskeletal system, there was strong suggestion that the less insufficient physical rest, the more significant disorder complaint. This means that the most musculoskeletal symptom among the visiting housekeepers can be prevented and cured by sufficient physical resting.