• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.297-302
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• 2011

Many WMSDs(work-related-musculoskeletal disorders) have been reported in diverse industries and have also attracted much attention in recent years. Neck-related MSD is generally known as one of common WMSDs, especially it happens to workers who are working at the automobile assembly plants and/or shipyards. The awkward posture is considered as a main cause of neck-related MSDs. A neck supporter was developed to prevent neck-related MSDs, and 10 males were recruited to evaluate the newly developed neck supporter by measuring subjective discomfort ratings of whole body, shoulder, neck and neck-muscle activities. Muscle activities from four neck muscle groups(left/right sternocleidomastoid and upper/middle trapezius) were measured while simulating an automobile assembly task. Results showed that the neck supporter help to significantly improve subjective discomfort for whole-body, shoulder as well as neck body parts. The analyses of muscular activities also showed that the activities of left/right sternocleidomastoid muscles were statistically decreased with the neck supporter in this study. The muscle activities of upper/middle trapezius in case of wearing the neck supporter were not significantly different with the muscle activities in case of no-wearing the neck supporter. Overall findings verified that the neck supporter might help to prevent neck-related MSDs based on the current study.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.472-481
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to compare working condition, socioeconomic status, and health status between elderly and non-elderly workers and to examine the influencing factors of health status according to age groups. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data extracted from the 2014 Korean Working Conditions Survey. For the present analysis, 15,980 elderly workers over the age of 55 and 32,037 non-elderly workers under the age of 55 were selected. Results: The prevalence of subjective unhealthy status and poor mental health were significantly higher among the elderly workers than the non-elderly workers. The elderly workers were more likely to have lower level of education and income than the non-elderly workers. They also reported less support from colleagues and managers, however, have more decision authority. Among the elderly workers, long working hours, awkward posture, physical environmental risks, quantitative demand, decision authority, social support, age discrimination, education level, and income level were significant predictors of subjective health status or mental health. Conclusion: For keeping elderly workers healthy and productive, work environment needs to become more age-friendly. An age-friendly workplace may include: accommodative support, workers' participation, minimization of environment risk, etc.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 1998

To investigate the working characteristics of the workers by place of duty, a study was carried out among 591 male workers aged 20-55 employed in an automobile industry in Korea. Workers participated to this study were divided into low back pain(LBP) and control group, according to the self-reports by written questionnaires. Work factors and complaint rates of low back pain were compared to the work places. The results were as follows ; 1) The complaint rates of low back pain were 49.2%(292 men) as a whole, 58.6%(34 men) in Production Control Department I, 50.2%(120 men) in Stamping Tool Department, 46.9%(138 men) in Bus Department. 2) Lifting and earring work of individual workers were directly associated with low back pain. Frequency of lifting and carring work is higher in the Final Body Section(Production Dept. I) and Body I Section(Bus Dept.). 3) LBP group were more frequently involved in working in awkward position(Quality Control Section of Stamping Tool Dept.), bending(Body I Section of Bus Dept.) and twisting posture(Sash Section and Body I Section of Bus Dept.). 4 )Workers exposed to vibration during working shows the higher complaint rate of low back pain.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Purpose: Among computer users, the awkward posture and workstation setups of workers contribute to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a traditional physical therapy and ergonomic intervention by physical therapists in 4 computer users. Methods: After checking Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), four subjects who were treated by physical therapy for neck and shoulder problems related to VDT syndrome were enrolled in the study. All subjects spent at least 40 hours per week at a computer workstation. All subjects had pain and ergonomic states evaluated using methods such as VAS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Workstyle short form, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and OSHA VDT checklist (Occupational Safety and Health Administration video display terminal) before a physical therapy + ergonomic intervention. Participants were re-evaluated 1 month later. Results: Participants showed more improvement of their neck pain after being treated with a physical therapy plus ergonomic intervention than when treatment consisted only of physical therapy. Improvements in RULA, Workstyle short form, and OSHA VDT checklist also were achieved. Conclusion: This case study suggests the importance of examining the work habits and work-related postures of subjects who complain of neck and shoulder pain that is exacerbated by computer use. Personalized ergonomic interventions and physical therapy can lead to improvement of patients with VDT syndrome.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2009

A Study was conducted to investigate the type and level of occupational risk factors for the onset of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in non-manufacturing industries. Total of 38 worksites were investigated from 5 different business areas such as financial institution, transportation service, building maintenance, sanitary service and educational service. Major job and task category were classified and corresponding occupational risk factors such as awkward posture, force exertion, repetitiveness of job, and work/rest cycle were examined using various ergonomic risk analysis techniques. Sets of matrices were developed including types and levels of risk factors for the classified jobs and tasks from 5 different non-manufacturing industries. Also possible ergonomic remedies were suggested for the improvement working conditions. Results and risk factor matrices can be applied as a guideline for the investigation of WMSDs risk factors in similar industries for the prevention of WMSDs.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to develop a new desk with a built-in bookholder and desktop-mounted sliding drawer for reducing stress of seated reading postures and to analyze its effect. Background: It is general for readers to bend their back and neck when reading books on desks, which may result in high back and neck postural stress. In addition, postures using vertically layered drawers positioned at the side of users may be awkward. Method: For reducing the postural stress, a new desk with a built-in bookholder and sliding drawer was developed based on a standard of KS G 4208 for student desk. The muscle activities of reading postures on both existing and new desks were measured using EMG, in which seven male and three female college students participated. The postural stress, and musculoskeletal discomfort and ease of usage for existing and new drawers were analyzed by RULA and questionnaire survey, respectively. Results: Compared to existing desk, the muscle activity for the new desk with a bookholder was reduced by 47% when reading books. In addition, musculoskeletal discomforts in the shoulder, neck and low back were significantly lower when using the new desk with a bookholder. Although the stresses for postures using the desktop-mounted sliding drawer and general drawer were not significantly different, the questionnaire survey revealed that the new desktop-mounted sliding drawer is easier to use. Conclusion: A new desk developed in this study significantly reduced postural stress and enhanced subjective preference when reading. Application: This would be useful when developing new desks with low postural stress.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2006

The objectives of this study were to ergonomically evaluate varying tasks performed in a general hospital and to propose their improving measures based on the evaluation results. The tasks found in the hospital were largely classified into two groups of manual materials handling and awkward posture related tasks. Ergonomic tools of NLE, 3-D SSPP and RULA were used for evaluating workload of the tasks. The major findings are: 1) L5/S1 compressive force of patient transferring by one person exceeded the maximum permissible limit(6,400N) by NIOSH. The L5/S1 compressive forces for most of the patient transferring tasks by 2-4 persons were larger than the action limit (3,400N), and the tasks by five persons were analyzed to be safe in the view of L5/S1 compressive force; 2) patient repositioning tasks by 2-3 persons were hazardous on the basis of L5/S1 compressive force, while most of the tasks by 4-5 persons were safe; 3) many tasks performed in wards were found to be stressful, most of which resulted from improper heights of their working tables or working points. Of varying tasks in general hospitals, patient transferring was the most stressful. Based on the results of this study and high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders from other studies, it is recommended that the ergonomics program be introduced and enforced for doing improving activities systematically

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2015

Background: Although many of those who drive for a living are exposed to repetitive and awkward posture and whole body vibration which cause them cumulative trauma disorder, therapeutic studies related to the problems from the transport unit are still somewhat inadequate. The purpose of this case report is to identify the effect of combined exercise program on patients suffering chronic neck pain caused by long hour of intra-city bus driving. Method: A total of 4 subjects are selected as patients, all of whom have more than 10 years of experience in intra-city bus transportation services. These people have suffered from neck pain for years. We ran the combined exercise program 3 times a week for 4 weeks and respectively evaluated the results after the 2nd and 4th week. We implemented conventional physiotherapy for 40 minutes, another 40 minutes of combined exercise program, and then educated the patients to enable themselves to do active stretching program as a home program. The combined exercise program contained 3 different stages. 1st stage: active stretching program, 2nd stage combined stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise, 3rd stage: proprioceptive exercise Result: After 4 weeks of intervention, there was enhance in the range of motion. $12^{\circ}$ increase in flexion, $10^{\circ}$ in extension, $6^{\circ}$ in lateral flexion respectively, and $10^{\circ}$ in rotation on average. VAS(visual analgue scale) decreased by 33% on average, NDI(neck diability index) by 28% and fatigability by 23%. Conclusion: There were improved results in the range of motion, NDI, VAS, and in fatigability after applying combined exercise program to intra-city bus drivers exposed to whole body vibration and cumulative trauma disorder.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.289-299
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• 2007

Objectives : To investigate the related factors on musculoskeletal symptoms among Korean female workers. Methods : A total of 1,875 female workers (1,002 office workers and 873 blue-collar workers) was analyzed. They were randomly selected among female workers by cluster sampling and interviewed by well trained interviewer, who filled out a structured questionnaire on the musculoskeletal symptoms. Other factors such as general and occupational characteristics including workplace location, employment condition, work duration, and working condition were also investigated. Results : Current smokers and drinkers were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working full time were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working over 8 hours per day were also popular in office workers than in blue-collar workers. Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly higher in the type of work including excessive repetitive work, work using awkward stretching hand upwards, work using repetitive wrist movements, static work using awkward hand posture, and heavy manual lifting and handling works. The mean score of the symptoms were significantly higher in blue-collar than in office workers. The significantly different working factors between two groups were work duration, employment condition and daily work hours. Conclusion : We suggest that the type of work including awkward and repetitive works as well as job type may be one of the most important factors related to musculoskeletal symptoms of female workers in the workplace. Preventive strategy will be needed to prevent the negative impact on health status of working women in the workplace.