• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2005

We analyzed the demographic and job features of 197 shipyard workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) compensated by the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, and the features of the disorders, the causes of operation and the induced behaviors. The three shipbuilding companies surveyed were located in Busan Metropolitan city and Gyungsangnam-do. The results were as follows. 1. The ages of WMSDs patients in shipyard were $43.6{\pm}8.6$ and the job tenure was $14.3{\pm}5.6$. The 40's of them was 40.1%, and the 30's was 29.4%. Patients less than 5 year-work duration were 85.3%, and ones more than 16 year-work duration 6.6%. In occupations, welders were 32.5%, pre-welders 17.3%, and setting engineers 6.6%. 2. The causes of WMSDs in shipyard were works(95.4%) and outer crash or accident shock (3.6%). Based on the standard of the NIOSH induced behaviors, the causes were awkward posture (62.9%), excessive movement(19.3%) and repetitive movement(13.7%). 3. The compensated WMSDs by body part was the highest, 36%, in the spines, 32.0% in both the upper limbs and the spines, and 14% in the upper limbs. The number of cases of WMSDs in body were 96 in the cervical, 79 in the lumbar and 72 in the shoulders. 4. As a result of chi-square test(${\chi}^2$) between diagnosis and operation in body, welding and spot welding had the most diagnoses in all parts of the body among other occupations. Chi-square test(${\chi}^2$) between diagnosis and induced behavior in body showed that awkward postures recorded the highest rate and repetitive movements was the second. 5. The most hazardous occupation was the welding(incidence rate=9.7) and the most hazardous behavior was the awkward posture.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 1990.04a
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• pp.151-162
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• 1990

Occupational disease among typists such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS) and tendonitis has increased along with rapid expansion of office automation. During typing, the posture can be defined as forearm pronation, ulnar abduction, wrist extension and finger flexion. The CTS results from awkward posture between forearm-wrist-hand and the keyboard arrangement. Therefore, ergonomic principles should be emphasized in keyboard design. The objective of the study is to improve keyboard design by analyzing anatomical posture of forearm and hand during typing. An experimental study was performed to investigate relationships between a keyboard and typing performance. Results showed that typing performance is dependent to angles and slopes of a keyboard. Statistical analysis indicated that the suggested ergonomic keyboard improved typing speed significantly(17%).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.6 s.78
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• pp.106-115
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for continuing study in order to accomplish preventive countermeasures for work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSD) and to examine related factors in connection with each other as: the working environment, the equipment used, working method, pain symptoms of dentists. The investigation period for this study was from November 1, 2004 to February 28, 2005, and we analyzed questionnaire survey of 190 dentists who were giving medical treatment in and around the metropolitan area and Daegu City. Also, we visited 20 dental hospitals personally and examined the work posture through check lists, interviews, and field investigations on work posture using photos and videotaping. This study showed the increasing physical burdens which were related to dentists work accomplishment and attitude, recognizing pain which were affecting work related WMSD. With the access of ergonomics and improving the education and training of awkward medical treatment methods and posture, and continuous public information about WMSD, the occurrence rate of WMSD could be decreased.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.24 no.62
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• pp.69-77
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• 2001

A current design trend of a vending machine is pursuing easy manufacturing and large capacity of holding cans. Therefore this study aims to ergonomically redesign vending machine and to analyze the motion of awkward posture to take out cans. Using Vision 3000 system, after investigating which motion can affect users, a new ergonomically designed vending machine, which was based on anthropometric data and guideline for control panel and exit of cans. New design shows a significantly improved usability and less stress. With new ergonomically designed vending machine at figure 3 can give a benefit for both users and manufactures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was to examine the features of work and posture analysis outputs in assessment of exposure to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors in general hospital nurses. Methods: Work and posture analyses were carried out using observational approaches for nurses at general hospitals across Korea. With development of a taxonomy for assessing exposure to MSD risk factors, nursing tasks were documented in frequency (%time) for 8 hours a day in work analyses. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scores were obtained for mode and maximum risk levels, respectively, during posture analyses. Results: A total of 27 nurses were observed while conducting 7 nursing tasks at 6 general hospitals. For both the work analyses and posture analyses, the taxonomy was developed and used. In the work analyses, 'Video display terminal task' and 'Nursing examination/ treatment' were the highest as 25%time for 8 hours a day, followed by 'Patient care' and 'Room rounding' as 13%time in order. In the posture analyses, the mode REBA scores were 2 or less for all nursing tasks while the maximum REBA scores were 7 for upper limbs at 'Room rounding' and 6 for trunk/neck/legs at 'Patient care'. Conclusions: The results showed the study nurses are occasionally at a risk for MSD, a medium level as designated in the REBA risk level, suggesting that it is important to control awkward posture at the nursing tasks such as 'Room rounding' and 'Patient care', in priority, for preventing MSD in the hospital sector including the study general hospitals.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.97-102
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• 2011

This study was performed to design and develop an ergonomic equipment for strawberry sorting and packing in agricultural working environments. Potential risk of work related musculo-skeletal disorders associated with farm workers performing strawberry sorting and packing was analyzed through interviews, field surveys, work measurement, and working posture evaluation. For the evaluation of working posture, we used REBA, OWAS, and RULA assessment methods to identify multi-factorial risk factors. Based on the result of comprehensive assessment, a new concept of multi-level rotating table for strawberry sorting and packing was proposed to modify awkward working postures and improve the effectiveness of the farm work. Finally, the characteristics and effectiveness of new equipment was discussed in terms of improvements in productivity, safety, and subjective ratings of farm workers. The results of analysis showed that working conditions improved significantly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2023

Objectives: Construction workers are exposed to various hazardous substances simultaneously. However, little is known about the exposure hazards in construction industry. This study was aimed at identifying the risk of exposure hazards among construction workers. Methods: The expert survey (n=29) was conducted, including construction industry health managers (n=11) and work environment monitoring experts (n=18), on exposure probability, intensity and risk of hazardous substances by construction occupations Results: The exposure hazards of 30 construction occupations were identified and summarized through a literature review and expert survey. The most prevalent hazards were in order of noise, awkward posture, heat/cold, crystalline silica, cement/concrete dust, metal fumes, and volatile organic compounds. The hazards with highest risk score(over seven points) at construction occupations were noise(formwork carpenter, concrete finisher, rebar worker, demolition worker, driller/rock blaster), hazardous rays(welder), heat/cold (earthworks, formwork carpenter, rebar worker, concrete placer, scaffolder), awkward posture(bricklayer, caulker/tile setter, rebar worker) and heavy lifting(bricklayer, rebar worker). Among construction workers, the job types with the highest risk of exposure to carcinogens, and in which occupational cancer has been reported, were in order of stonemason, concrete finisher, rock blaster, welder, insulation installer, painter, scaffolder, plant worker and earthworks in order Conclusions: Systematic research and discussion on occupational disease among construction workers and its various hazardous factors are needed to establish job exposure matrix for facilitating standard for promptly processing the workers' compensation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.36-49
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the work postures and upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders(CTDs) in female medical insurance bill reviewers(n=448). This study included diagnosis for CTDs, anthropometry and job analysis (workstations and posture). The characteristics of subject were 33.6 years of average age and 8.7 years of average work duration. The results were as fallows. Ergonomic conditions of workstation were unsuitable compared with anthropometry result. The height of work surface(79.5 cm) and chair(43.0 cm)were high. work space was small, and legs space under the table was limited. Work postures were awkward compared with recommended neutral postures. Neck flexion($21.0-36.0^{\circ}$), elbow elevation, shoulder abduction ($46.0-47.0^{\circ}$). wrist radial and ulnar deviation, forearm supination and pronation, and wrist repeated motion(12.7-21.5 freq./min) were analyzed as hazardous risk factors by job analysis. The prevalence of CTDs was 32.8 % by medical diagnosis. The prevalence rate of CTDs in hazardous work posture group was significantly greater than safe work posture group both neck-shoulder (relative prevalence = 5.2, p<0.001) and wrist-hand (relative prevalence = 2.5, p<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.20 no.4 s.72
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Computer dominated jobs and industrial automation have rapidly created work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) and WMSDS are expanding to employee of other general industry. Specific risk factors associated with WMSDs include repetitive motion, heavy lifting, forceful exertion, contact stress, vibration awkward posture and rapid hand and wrist movement. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of the neck muscle workload according to posture(joint angle) and load weight. Seven male students participated in this study. To analyze neck muscle workload was studied on electromyographic(EMG) activity for sternocleidomastoid and trapezius, was subjectively rated using a Borg's CR-10 scale. ANOVA showed that the CR-10 ratings and most EMG root-mean-square (RMS) value were statistically significant improvement according to posture(joint angle) and load weight. The results of this study indicate the joint angle and weight of neck muscle workload to provide safe working conditions. To reduce the large number and severity of WMSDs employees have been experiencing, we need to redesign the job in workplace to identify and control hazards that are reasonably likely to be causing or contributing to the WMSDs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.412-422
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• 2009

This study was conducted to assess exposure to musculoskeletal disorder(MSD) risk factors in hospital personnel who performed non-routinized work tasks. A tool ("PATH-KOSHA" version) was newly revised from PATH(Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling) method and uploaded into a personal digital assistant(PDA). The version was used, on a basis of direct-observation, to collect PATH data at the 2 hospital settings in different regions. Job analysis was performed to get various information (e.g., work and rest time, task type) as well. The data collected were visually checked for data cleaning and stored for future data analysis. A total of 1,992 PATH observations were made for 37 hospital workers. Exposure levels varied across 18 items of the MSD risk factors. The highest percent time spent on non-neutral postures was 53% for wrist deviation, followed by 47%(pinch grip), 35%(trunk posture), 23%(neck posture), and 20%(shoulder/arm posture). The highest percent time spent among hand activity level(HAL) variables was 55% for HAL-cat2 (HAL: 3.3 - <6.7). The percent time of items with respect to both loads with more than 5kg and contact stress was less than 4%. Vibration was not exposed in the study workers. Different aspects were discussed for findings. The study results showed that wrist deviation was highest in percent time spent on awkward posture while HAL-cat2 was highest in hand repetition. The study suggests that distal upper extremity posture and HAL should be primarily addressed and controlled in non-routinized work including the hospital settings.