• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2014

Background: Cassava and corn milling is a growing small-scale enterprise in Africa. We aimed to determine the incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints among vibration-exposed Congolese cassava and corn millers in the previous 12 months. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, prior to a follow-up study, from March to May 2013 among cassava/corn millers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, in which 365 millers age-matched to 365 civil workers anonymously answered a questionnaire. Results: Overall incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints was 25.8% in millers (vs. 5.2% in civil workers; p < 0.001). The risk of experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms was seven times higher in millers [vs. civil workers; odds ratio (OR) = 7.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.03-12.50; p < 0.0001]; 2.4 times higher in smoking millers (vs. smoking civil office workers; OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.42-3.88; p < 0.001); 3.6 times higher in millers with longer daily exposure (> 8 hours; vs. those working ${\leq}8$ hours; OR = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.93-3.61; p = 0.026); and 7.4 times higher in young millers (vs. older millers, OR = 7.39; 95% CI: 1.29-75.52; p < 0.001). Smoking, number of cigarettes, and daily exposure duration were positively correlated with musculoskeletal complaints. Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high incidence of musculoskeletal complaints among African cassava and corn millers. The use of anti-vibration protective equipment and the regulation of this hazardous occupation may reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in millers.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.120-131
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of an 8 week, self-managed, app-based and poster-based stretching program on musculoskeletal symptoms, flexibility, stretching frequency, self-efficacy, social support, and musculoskeletal disorder knowledge in small manufacturing business workers. Methods: This was a cluster randomized, two-group pretest-posttest design. Workers were assigned to either an app-based (n=20) or a poster-based (n=25) stretching intervention. Both groups received an educational class. The app group also received mobile phone text messages and an app with stretching videos, stretching alarms, stretching records, and information on musculoskeletal disorders. The poster group received workplace stretching posters. Data were collected from April to September 2018 and analyzed with the 𝑥² test, paired t-test, and independent t-test. Results: There was only a significant difference in social support. Significant increase in flexibility and musculoskeletal symptoms were noted for both groups, but social support and musculoskeletal disorder knowledge were significantly changed only in the poster group. More than half of the workers practiced stretching at least 3 times a week. Conclusion: The 8 week, self-managed, workplace stretching program was effective to increase flexibility and stretching frequency to at least 3 times a week. However, effective interventions for musculoskeletal symptoms could not be identified.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of work environment on health problems of nurses. Methods: The subjects of the study were 395 nurses who were wage workers among KWCS (Korean Working Conditions Survey) respondents in 2014. The work environments were measured by the KWCS questionnaire. Results: 48.5% of the 395 nurses had health problems. The prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases (34.7%) was the highest among all health problems. The ergonomic work environment was significantly related to musculoskeletal disorders, headache and eye strain, and fatigue. In addition, the increase in work-individual interface area was significantly related to fatigue. Conclusion: The work environment of nurses affects health problems. It is therefore important to develop strategies that improve the health problems of nurses by reducing ergonomic and psycho-social risk factors.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2005

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) adopted the Lifting Threshold Limit Values ($TLVs^{(R)}$) in 2005 as a guideline for protecting the workers from work-related low back and shoulder disorders associated with repetitive lifting tasks. The TLVs consist of three tables with recommended weight limits for lifting tasks and their determination procedures are simple. The TLVs sans the material weight/the recommended values (LITLVs) were obtained from 45 lifting tasks in ship engine manufacturing factories. These values were compared and correlated with the Recommended Weight Limits (RWLs) and lifting indices (LIs) determined by the Revised Lifting Equation (LE) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The average ratio, LITLVs/LIs, was 0.8 (LITLVs: $1.3{\pm}0.8$, LIs: $1.6{\pm}0.7$). Thus, the TLVs underestimated the risk than the LE. The LITLVs were highly correlated with LIs (r=0.82). The predicted value of LITLVs when LIs=1 wa 0.76. Using the predicted TLVs the higher risk ones of a large number of tasks can be screened to be further investigated.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2015

Background: The physical work demands of construction work can be reduced using ergonomic measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ergonomic measures related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among construction workers. Methods: A questionnaire was sent at baseline and 2 years later to 1,130 construction workers. We established (1) the proportion of workers reporting an increase in their use of ergonomic measures, (2) the proportion of workers reporting a decrease in MSDs, (3) the relative risk for an increase in the use of ergonomic measures and a decrease in MSDs, and (4) workers' knowledge and opinions about the use of ergonomic measures. Results: At follow-up, response rate was 63% (713/1,130). The proportion of workers using ergonomic measures for vertical transport increased (34%, 144/419, p < 0.01); for measures regarding horizontal transport and the positioning of materials, no change was reported. The proportion of workers reporting shoulder complaints decreased (28%, 176/638, p = 0.02). A relationship between the use of ergonomic measures and MSDs was not found; 83% (581/704) of the workers indicated having sufficient knowledge about ergonomic measures. Lightening the physical load was reported to be the main reason for using them. Conclusion: Only the use of ergonomic measures for vertical transport increased over a 2-year period. No relationship between the use of ergonomic measures and MSDs was found. Strategies aimed at improving the availability of ergonomic equipment complemented with individualized advice and training in using them might be the required next steps to increase the use of ergonomic measures.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.861-877
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to survey job stress and Musculoskeletal Disorder(MSDs) of workers in small plants with agricultural products. The subjects were comprised of 69 workers participated in "Helping the rural women to get the small businesses" project. The questionnaire surveys were Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS), and Legal Risk Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders(KOSHA CODE H-30-2003). As a result of the survey, scores of KOSS 8 sub-items except for job demand were similar to that of Korea workers. Prevalence of MSDs symptoms of small plants workers was high percent (44.9%). And the rate according to kinds of product was significant difference at neck (p<0.01), lumbar (p<0.01), and leg (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between view person sign of MSDs and non MSDs according to sex, year, the number of workers, working years, working time per one day, rest time per one day, and subjective working intensity, but there were significant difference between high stress group and low stress group about MSDs at interpersonal conflict(p<0.05). Job stress and MSDs were important factor to workers of small plants producted agricultural products. Therefore, starting a business with small plats, workers consider interpersonal conflict and body part showing MSDs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.169-179
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate occupational and individual risk factors and working conditions in relation to musculoskeletal symptoms in street cleaners. Investigation was conducted through a survey of 395 male street cleaners employed by the government office in Seoul, Gyeonggi and Chung-Nam from July to August of 2009. The control group was comprised of 143 male drivers and security guards. Risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in street cleaners were investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis and also evaluated ergonomic risk factors by assessing working conditions of 4 street cleaners. As a result of symptom questionnaires, all of the prevalent rates of musculoskeletal symptoms in street cleaners had significantly higher results than those of the control group(p<0.05). On binary logistic regression analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms, street cleaners showed significant higher odds ratio as 18.84(95%CI: 6.56-54.12) in the arm/elbow, 10.49(95%CI: 4.29-25.65) in the hand/wrist compared to the control group. Both absence of rest breaks and exposure to ergonomic risk factors showed to be important internal risk factors of musculoskeletal symptoms among street cleaners. The exposure levels of QEC(Quick exposures checklist) in street cleaners were revealed to be higher on the shoulder/arm, wrist/hand, and neck than back, or from stress. The findings appear to show that street cleaners were high-risk group of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore street cleaners require a holistic interventional strategy, including adequate arrangement of rest breaks, improvement of working tools and control of individual risk factors such as obesity and smoking.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.131-143
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare the ground reaction forces and plantar pressure variables among three different safety shoes (Type 1: ergonomically designed and high quality shoes, 2: curved and cushioned safety hoes, and 3: regular safety shoes) and to find the effect of insole during walking. Ten healthy subjects were recruited for this study. The ground reaction force was measured using a 3 dimensional motion analysis system. Plantar pressures were measured Pedar Mobile foot pressure scan system. The ground reaction force variables were not significantly different among three different shoe types and insole conditions. After insertion insole, plantar pressure distributions were improved. These results suggest that the type 1 safety shoes was superior than other safety shoes in the statistics, and applying insole could be a possible method to prevent fatigue of lower extremity and musculoskeletal disorders. Further studies are needed to find the effect of ergonomically designed safety shoes design and insole on practical value prevention of musculoskeletal disorder, fatigue and satisfaction of workers.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.266-276
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• 2014

The present study aims to determine the effect of the prevention exercise program of musculoskeletal disorders developed for apple and pear farmers. To achieve this goal, 25 farmers who have subjective symptoms in the musculoskeletal system (Criteria 1 in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) have conducted the prevention exercise program for 12 weeks from April 7, 2011 to July 1, 2011. As a result, the prevention exercise program of the musculoskeletal disorders for farmers in the fruit growing industry have improved physical capability of them (upper extremity endurance, lower extremity endurance, balance and agility) as well as a quality of life effectively. In addition, a quality of life showed a significant correlation with Oswestry Disability Index, and Psychosocial Well-being Index. For the future study, various studies are expected to develop and apply exercise programs in consideration of the characteristics of farming work.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.497-504
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• 2015

As we enter the era Convergence, commercialized convergence contents aimed at the disabled are giving a lot of help to them. This fusion research is aimed at providing necessary basic data and practical measures for these by analyzing the effect of influencing the quality of life for women with disabilities. This research was conducted with 250 disabled women living in Jeon-nam region from Jan,1 through April, 25 in 2015. After screening women aged 20-80 who had symptoms and musculoskeletal disorders and were using convergence contents, convergence projects were implemented with total 125 patients over 16 weeks. The result of the convergence projects showed that most of these experieced the decrease of musculoskeletal pain, the decrease of depressed levels, and the improvement of quality of life. Future studies should be done in terms of a long-term perspective and continuing support, and follow-up studies should also be done to evaluate its effectiveness.