• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2015

Background: A unique framework for performance optimization of generation companies (GENCOs) based on health, safety, environment, and ergonomics (HSEE) indicators is presented. Methods: To rank this sector of industry, the combination of data envelopment analysis (DEA), principal component analysis (PCA), and Taguchi are used for all branches of GENCOs. These methods are applied in an integrated manner to measure the performance of GENCO. The preferred model between DEA, PCA, and Taguchi is selected based on sensitivity analysis and maximum correlation between rankings. To achieve the stated objectives, noise is introduced into input data. Results: The results show that Taguchi outperforms other methods. Moreover, a comprehensive experiment is carried out to identify the most influential factor for ranking GENCOs. Conclusion: The approach developed in this study could be used for continuous assessment and improvement of GENCO's performance in supplying energy with respect to HSEE factors. The results of such studies would help managers to have better understanding of weak and strong points in terms of HSEE factors.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.83-90
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• 2021

In this paper, effects on industrial accident prevention based on better safety and health environment by utilizing ergonomics expert were studied. This study was mainly based on the data from 'the survey for occupational safety and health trend' conducted by Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. The number of industries participated in the survey was 2,084. Main results of the study were as follows; 1) Only 22.9% of the industries participated in the survey utilized ergonomics expert. The rest of the industries have never had an ergonomics expert due to the reasons such as lack of knowledge for the field of ergonomics, etc. 2) Specific activities done by the industries with ergonomics expert in order to have better safety & health were 'providing work orders'(94.8%), 'providing monitoring guidelines'(85.5%), 'providing information for dangerous work'(95.8%), 'providing safety education'(96.6%), and 'other safety management'(94.1%). 3) When the odds ratio for the levels of communication and the levels of environmental stability regarding safety & health for the different groups(with experts and without experts), it was found that the group with ergonomics experts had a significant higher ORs(2.391, 95% confidence interval(1.949-2.932) and 2.128, 95% confidence interval(1.786-2.537)) respectively than those of the industries without ergonomics expert. The results suggested that ergonomics expert has been unique in most of time in terms of his/her contributions in the field of industrial safety and health.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.363-370
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• 2012

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze standards of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, KOSHA 18001, GAP and ISO 22000 to make an integrated system and check whether an integrated system can be used at small size companies. Background: There are many certification criteria for quality, safety and health such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, KOSHA 18001, GAP and ISO 22000. However, these criteria are difficult and complicated to be used at a small size company. Thus. it is not easy for small size companies to obtain certifications using these criteria. But customers and workers of small size companies want the key points of these systems to be implemented. Method: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, KOSHA 18001, GAP and ISO 22000 were analyzed to find the commonality and duplications as well as the importance of the items in these standards. And a survey was conducted to check whether certain aspects of the anticipated integrated system can be implemented at small size companies. Results: Items were classified into categories based upon the importance to food safety, quality, safety, environment, and health. Items which are common among standards were also identified and thus give ideas to make the new standards simpler than the currently available standards. Items which were important but may not be easily implemented at the small size companies were also identified. Conclusion: By considering the fact that the currently used accreditation standards have many similar aspects, these systems can be integrated into one new system which small size companies can use relatively easily.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.611-619
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• 2016

Objective:This study aims to analyze the relationships between personality factors measured by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales and the indices of safety and health in the shipbuilding industry. Background: Many researches reported that there were significant relationships between some MMPI subscales and traffic and industrial accidents. Method: This study analyzes 230 male workers in shipyard for their MMPI scores gathered during recruitment process and their safety and health indices from the performance record during their working period. ${\chi}^2-test$ and one-way ANOVA are used for finding the statistical significance for personality factors. The conventional grouping rule for MMPI scales and other grouping criteria considering the attitude of positive answer for the MMPI test during recruitment process are used for analysis. Results: The Hypomania (Ma) and Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) scales of the MMPI are the main factors related to the safety and health related indices for most grouping rules. Depression (D), Psychasthenia (Pt), Hypochondriasis (Hs), Schizophrenia (Sc), and Masculinity and Femininity (Mf) scales are also related to the safety and health indices. Conclusion and Application: The results can be used for understanding the psychological factors in human behaviors and safety and can help professional personnel take the necessary steps in improving safety on the job and also in providing the effective teaching of safe work methods.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.509-515
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• 2011

Objective: The study was performed to suggest factors to consider when making or selecting protective clothing to enhance farmers' health. The purpose of this study was to review and summarize the agricultural safety technology on clothing including hat, gloves, and shoes. Background: The farmers' work clothing has to meet a multitude of requirement. Risk factors in farm-work were identified by previous researches. Agricultural safety clothing needs to be introduced. Method: We reviewed previous papers regarding the agricultural workers' health, safety clothing to protect body from excessive heat and humid environment, ultraviolet(UV) protection, and hazardous body working postures. Also the UV cut effect, pesticideproof clothing, and preventable farm work related musculoskeletal disorders were discussed. Results: The agricultural safety clothing needs to be developed to provide comfort and to be resistant against heat. The UV protection function on skin and eyes has not been fully researched in safety clothing studies yet. Conclusions and Application: The farmers' work-related body posture needs to be studied in order to make and design agricultural safety clothing. The safety issues on agricultural work shoes are also needed to be included in future studies.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.77-82
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• 2009

This paper objected which prevented the accident occurrence of the related farm work, and developed the evaluation indicators for safety supervision on life environment of farmer and farm work to evaluate the health of farm worker and a musculoskeletal disorders. We selected the evaluation item to 82 items for executing the secondary Delphi investigation and the literature research which composed the farm work relationship specialist conference. We applied the index production of the evaluation indicators to decide the detailed element weight from the element which is farm work, the farm machine and the organization, farm workshop, dangerous substance, and life environment through the AHP techniques. Through the result, we can apply other ergonomic evaluation instrument of farm work field, but also the evaluation indicators for safety supervision on farm work.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.127-135
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• 2011

The nuclear power plants and chemical industries are trying to find human error to prevent occupational injury. The ratio of occupational injury is higher than the other industries in shipbuilding industry. It is known that the most important reason is human error. Recently, the shipbuilding industries interest in human error to prevent occupational injury. This paper outlines four approaches of human error identification used in shipbuilding industry such as survey of occupational injury, root cause analysis, risk assessment, and performance shaping factors. Finally, this paper proposes the interventions of ergonomics for preventing the human errors.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.179-190
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• 2015

Objective and Background: Due to increase in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) relating to computer use, a number of ergonomics recommendations have been proposed in order to tackle this problem. However, some of these recommendations have been conflicting. Method: This study was to survey the VDT (Visual Display Terminal) use of office workers. The subjects were 452 workers at 13 places of business and the data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Results: As a result, prevalence of self-reported MSDs of all VDT workers was 90.2% and shoulder took up 57.0% and neck 38.3% by symptom part of body. The population of computer use of more than 6h/day was 84.5%, and 33.8% also reported using the VDT 2~3h/day without the rest time. Desktop computer users were 95.6%, and a 17-inch monitor accounted for 42.0% among the desktop users. As a result of satisfaction survey on overall computer work, 21.1% of the total respondents said satisfied, desk complaint was about 24.6%, and chair complaint was 33.4%. Despite the importance of computer environment, satisfaction was from fair to uncomfortable. Conclusion and Application: In conclusion, office workers are prone to the MSDs due to their work environment. Additionally, this study found that task was a significant effect for the majority of dependent variables, and therefore, the improvement of computer workstations work environment is urgent, and the improvement of desk height adjustment, chair seat size (length, width), backrest condition, location of keyboard (mouse) and arm rest is required.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate influence of wrist position on the electromyographic(EMG) activities of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor digitorum (ED) during drilling and pinch grip. Eighteen healthy subjects had been recruited and each subject performed two tasks (drilling and pinch grip) at three different wrist positions ($30^{\circ}$ flexion, neutral, $30^{\circ}$ extension). The EMG amplitude of each muscle was normalized to the amplitude in the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Repeated one-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences of EMG across wrist positions. The FDS EMG activity in both drilling and pinch grip was lowest at $30^{\circ}$ wrist extension and the highest at $30^{\circ}$ wrist flexion. The ED EMG activity was lowest when the wrist was neutral in both tasks. From the results of this study, we can conclude that the desirable wrist positions for drilling and pinch grip tasks are slightly extended or neutral position. Therefore, flexed wrist position should be avoided to reduce the excessive work load on the finger muscles during the tasks.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.321-331
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this study is to review the literatures on the regulation, standard and guideline for the human vibration in Korea and other countries. Background: This review can be used to prevent various diseases caused by the human vibration as a basis for the development of the policy. Results: In Korea, the general employers' duties related to human vibration are set forth the Health Measures(Article 24) in the Occupational Safety and Health Act. And then an employer shall take measures to protect the health of the workers concerned by improving other working conditions relating to working hours for the vibration prevention measures referred to in Article 24 of the Act. The European Union adopted a Directive in 2002 on minimum requirements for the health and safety of workers exposed to vibration. New Regulations on Vibration at Work will be introduced in Great Britain on 2005 to implement the Directive. In the U.S., both ANSI and ACGIH adopted the ISO standard for measurement and suggested exposure action and limit values. In Japan, the Ministry of Labor decided that the vibration syndrome among operators of rock drills and riveters etc. could be included in an occupational disease(1947). In addition, ISO standard was based on proposals and draft documents of many countries such as U.K, Japan and European, etc. Conclusion: In Korea, Occupational Safety and Health Act prevent vibration to health, but do not include exposure limits. It is therefore important to consider the new duties regarding to vibration risks added to the general duties.