• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.25-38
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• 2006

It was investigated the current state of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), which is one of the major problems in occupational safety and health management. A survey was conducted for safety personnel serve in the enterprises located at two cities in Gyungbuk area, Gumi and Pohang where the major industrial complex reside. The goal of this study was to identify whether the category and scale of the enterprises affect the sort of hazard factors, occurrence rate, and countermeasures against WMSDs. The results from the survey indicated that there were significant differences in the level of recognition and counteracts for WMSDs among the enterprises subject to their categories and scales. On the basis of these results, it was considered a more efficient way of spreading proper ergonomic knowledge and skills to the industries that were coincided with the circumstances of individual enterprise.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.81-85
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• 2009

Work related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) was a leading cause of sick leave and injuries in the industries of our country. Posture was an important consideration in the design of work method and workplaces, because it affected the ability of workers to use various equipments and influenced how long they could perform their job without feeling discomfort, fatigue, and musculoskeletal disorders. Imbalanced lower limb postures such as a squatting posture were awkward working postures common to the shipbuilding shops, farms, automobiles assembly lines in our country. Different awkward working postures were known to be associated with specific musculoskeletal disorders. Eight postures in lower limb postures divided into balanced and imbalanced postures were evaluated by electromyographic(EMG) activity for lower limb muscles. Twelve male subjects participated in this study. This paper was to analyze the effects of lower limb muscles workload according to lower limb postures(knee angle) and working time. The ANOVA results showed that most EMG root mean square(RMS) values were statistically significant effect according to lower limb postures(knee angle) and working time. Therefore, the results of this study will provide the basis to evaluate workload of lower limb postures correctly adopted by workers in various jobs and the ergonomic reference to prevent WMSDs.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2010

This study investigated the relationships between Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), contributing factors, and the occupational stress of physical therapists. Self-reported questionnaires were given to 180 physical therapists in Gangwon Province. Variables examined included the prevalence of pain sites related to WMSDs; pain intensity; pain pattern; and job stress, which is thought to involve the physical environment; job demand; insufficient job control; interpersonal conflict; job insecurity; organizational system; reward system; and occupational culture. Among physical therapists, work-related musculoskeletal pain commonly affected the low back (30.1%), shoulder (29.3%), and wrist (12.2%). The sites of work-related musculoskeletal pain treated medically were the low back (22.8%), shoulder (19.8%), neck (12.7%), and wrist (12.1%). "Repeating the same work constantly" was suggested to be the major cause of the pain. The younger therapists were significantly more likely to feel high job stress due to the physical environment (p<.05), job demand (p<.05), and organizational system (p<.01). Women were more likely to feel greater job stress related to job demand, insufficient job control, the organization system, and job rewards. Men were more likely to feel greater job stress related to job insecurity. Weak positive relationships were observed between work-related musculoskeletal pain and job stress, which is thought to involve the physical environment; job demand; insufficient job control; interpersonal conflict; job insecurity; organizational system; reward system; and occupational culture. Physical therapists appear to be at higher risk of WMSDs because 80.1% of the physical therapists studied experienced work-related musculoskeletal pain. To reduce the risk, we need intervention strategies such as preventive education, ergonomically designed medical equipment, a psychosocial approach to work conditions, improved mechanical conditions related to therapeutic patterns, and an institutional infrastructure with sufficient personnel and scheduling.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.19-23
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of the present study was to describe the prevalence and causes of occurrence on work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) in physical therapist. Methods : Self-administered questionnaires were distributed by mail to 100 physical therapists in Daegu city. 85 of the questionnaires were returned and 80 of them except 5 unclearly answered ones were analyzed. Results : They felt the pain at shoulders(80%), lower back(74%), wrists(71%), neck(70%), elbow(48%), finger(40%). The major causes of the pain were "repeating the same job constantly(93%)," and "bending wrists too much and doing things that require excessive strength(90%)." It was significant different more Exercise therapist than modality therapist. Conclusion : We suggest that physical therapist for exercise therapy need the development and applies of various program for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

• Bulletin of the Korean Institute for Industrial Safety
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2003

In recent years, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are one of major issues in occupational safety and health in Korea, since the number of injured workers has rapidly increased and the related regulation was amended to improve the work conditions. Main risk factors of WMSDs in Korean industries include manual handling of heavy weight loads, awkward postures, repetitive tasks, prolonged static muscle contraction, and so on. in this article, some ergonomics case studies for identifying the risk factors of WMSDs and far their prevention were introduced. They include a biomechanical analysis for the heavy-weight handling task in a machine-repair shop, physiological evaluation of backpack-carrying tasks in a beverage delivery job, and a set of psychophysical studies to evaluate static-postural load. These studies showed that there are several different ergonomic approaches to identifying and evaluating risk factors of WMSDs and to eliminating them or reducing their levels, and that it is important to select proper methods and apply them in improving the work conditions according to the characteristics of the task. In addition, it needs to develop practical and effective ergonomic tools to prevent WMSDs and to provide these tools to the safety managers in the field so that they can improve the tasks by themselves.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.33-46
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in 119 EMT during patient-carrying tasks using a long backboard (LBB) and a variable stretcher. Methods: Manikins were used as patients, and 45 new 119 EMT from K Fire Academy were filmed performing patient-carrying tasks on stairs. The tasks were analyzed using Ovako working posture analysis system (OWAS) and Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Results: In using LBB, the OWAS score was Mode 3(Mean 2.37, Maximum 3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 11(Mean 9.16, Maximum 11), requiring immediate improvement. In using variable stretcher, the OWAS score was Mode 1(Mean 2.33, Maximum 3), non-necessity for corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 9(Mean 8.0, Maximum 11), requiring as soon as possible. Conclusion: In conclusion, improvement was needed in one task (carrying a patient using a LBB) in the OWAS and in two tasks (carrying a patient using a LBB, carrying a patient using a variable stretcher) in the REBA. Thereby, required attention and management of WMSDs during training. In addition, it is essential to carry out objective and quantitative assessments through ergonomic analysis by occupational health professionals when designing future training programs to prevent WMSDs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), the influence of the WMSDs on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to identify the differences of WMSDs and HRQoL between greenhouse farmers and paddy farmers. Methods: Subjects were 34 greenhouse farmers and 56 paddy farmers who were living in a rural community. The sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, working characteristics, WMSDs and HRQoL were investigated. WMSDs symptoms were measured by a selfassessed questionnaire on musculoskeletal disorders symptoms and HRQoL was measured by the Euro Quality of Life (Euroqol) EQ-5D index. The differences on the WMSDs, EQ-5D and it's related factors between the groups were assessed with t-test and ${\chi}^2$-test. Results: Greenhouse farmers were longer the working hours per day and working duration than paddy farmers. The level of prevalence of the WMSDs in greenhouse farmers is higher than in paddy farmers. The EQ-5D index of greenhouse farmers and paddy farmers were 0.819 and 0.874, respectively. Overall, the mean value of EQ-5D index was significantly lower greenhouse farmers than paddy farmers. Conclusions: These results showed that the HRQoL for farmers are strongly influenced by WMSDs and agicultural type in that we are aware of the need to comply with regulations of WMSDs, especially greenhouse farmers.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.79-90
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• 2003

The purposes of this study are to compare data for work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) between Korea and USA, and to investigate status of WMSDs for industrial safety managers. The first part of this study was based on statistical data annually published by Minister of Labor of Korea and Bureau of Labor Statistics of USA. The latter was performed by using questionnaire survey for industrial safety managers in two regions. The results showed that the WMSDs incidence rate was significantly lower in Korea than in USA, and that there is big difference in the distribution of occupational illness by category of illness between Korea and USA. The questionnaire survey revealed that knowledge level about WMSDs was significantly affected depending upon corresponding companies' location and size, and that the low back pain was the most prevalent illness among varying WMSDs symptoms, followed by tendonitis/tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow. Based on this study, it is recommended that the future education/training for WMSDs focus on their preventative measures, methods/tools for identifying their risk factors, and diagnostic criteria for judging suspicious symptoms for industrial accidents, and that the governmental policy for WMSDs be changed towards financial supporting for preventive facilities, establishing objective diagnostic criteria and training for WMSDs.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.125-133
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study is to figure out the level of Functional Movement Screen (FMS) of 122 automobile manufacturing workers and to set the FMS score for predicting risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Background: Although today's industrial sites have been becoming automated rapidly, the risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have been on the rise. In the case of WMSDs, it is important to control WMSDs at the early stage. Early detection of WMSDs is very important for the successful treatment. However, the medical examination puts a great financial burden on most workers. To reduce their burden, there is one test to check the musculoskeletal functional condition and to predict the risk of injury, which is called FMS. Method: This research tested the FMS score of 122 workers at a motor company, and also conducted a questionnaire survey of individual characteristics and job characteristics. Results: For the 122 subjects, the average score of FMS is $14.63{\pm}2.27$. There is a negative correlation between FMS and their ages and BMI (p <0.05). FMS is higher when exercising regularly (p <0.05). The FMS scores of musculoskeletal disorder patients are lower than those of normal workers (p <0.05). While it is more likely to become a musculoskeletal disorder patient when FMS score is less than 14, it is more likely to become a normal worker when FMS score is more than or equal to 14. Conclusion: According to the result of FMS test, there is a score difference between individuals with musculoskeletal disorders and normal ones. FMS scores can also predict and identify workers with risk of the musculoskeletal disorders. Application: According to this study, FMS can be expected to have a positive effect on the prevention of WMSDs in worksites.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.89-98
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• 2011

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have become a hot issue in the Korean workplace for the past several years. So many manufacturing companies have tried to improve the work environments for the control and the prevention of the WMSDs. This study investigates the relation between WMSDs and job stress from 965 workers in a shipbuilding company by questionnaire analysis. The seven job stress factors which are job autonomy, job insecurity, organizational system, workplace culture, unfair compensation, relationship conflict, and job requirement were analyzed. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders symptoms were 12.9%. The analysis showed that job stress by job autonomy was higher than that by job stress factor. WMSDs were associated with job requirement, organizational system, unfair compensation and workplace culture. The results could be used to design the management program for the reduction of job stress.