• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.349-356
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the risk factors of the musculoskeletal workload of mid-old-age female caregivers by identifying work postures and subjective symptoms. Method: This study was carried out on a total of 206 subjects 206 mid-old-age caregivers(45~65 years old) from November 2009 to April 2010: 206 mid-old-age caregivers (45~65 years old) at the long-term hospital. A questionnaires survey on general factors and subjective symptoms of subjects was conducted. The risk factors of the musculoskeletal workload evaluation method is based on OWAS, RULA, REBA according to occupation properties. Results: The analysis of the rates of the subjective symptoms showed that 78.6% subjects experience low back pain. The analysis of the work type showed that transfer is the highest rate(36.3%) and position change is the second(18.2%). The analysis of the work postures showed that the thrusted back with twisting position over $20^{\circ}$ is highest rate(37.4%), the bended back forward with twisting position is the second(27.5%). Conclusion: This study suggested that the need of preventive education for caregivers and workload improve. It is hoped that subsequent study on the difference of subjective symptoms between educated caregivers and non educated caregivers will be conducted.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.3-15
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• 2006

Musculoskeletal Disorders are usually caused or aggravated by poor work processes and unsuitable working conditions - that involve or repetitive or forceful movements or the maintenance of constrained or awkward postures. The condition is characterized by discomfort and persistent pain. Case and Demographic Characteristics for Work-related Injuries and Illnesses Involving Days Away From Work, 2004. U.S" was examined. Causes of musculoskeletal disorders for assembly line workers were carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS), tendonitis, low back pain, and occupational stress. Recommendations of improvement for productivity are redesign of working conditions, exercise, prevent of musculoskeletal disorders and avoiding stress.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-78
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• 2018

Background: To identify work sectors with high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Korean men and women. Methods: We analyzed nationwide data to identify ergonomic risk factors in Korean employees. In particular, we analyzed data on exposure to five ergonomic risk factors (painful/tiring postures, lifting/moving heavy materials, standing/walking, repetitive hand/arm movements, and hand/arm vibration) according to employment sector, sex, and age, using the 2014 Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey. We also used workers' compensation data on work-related MSDs in 2010, which is available by sex. Results: The different work sectors had different gender distributions. "Manufacturing" (27.7%) and "construction" (11.3%) were dominated by males, whereas "human health and social work activities" (12.4%), "hotel and restaurants" (11.7%), and "education" (10.4%) were dominated by females. However, "wholesale and retail trade" and "public administration and defense" employed large numbers of males and females. Furthermore, the work sectors with a greater proportion of work-related MSDs and with multiple ergonomic risk factors were different for men and women. For men, "construction" and "manufacturing" had the highest risk for work-related MSDs; for women, "hotel and restaurants" had the highest risk for work-related MSDs. Conclusion: Ergonomic interventions for workers should consider gender and should focus on work sectors with high risk for MSDs, with multiple ergonomic risk factors, and with the largest number of workers.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.423-433
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• 2010

The presence of musculoskeletal burden tasks and work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) at Industrial workers was not well-known until 2000 in Korea. Since The Occupational Safety & Health Law was registered a business of proprietor duty in preventing work-related MSDs of workers In July of 2003 WMSDs became a big issue in Korea. A social previous interest was focused on the manufacturing industry just like auto and shipping industry in manufacturing sectors but nowadays it is spreading out to non-manufacturing fields gradually. Nevertheless, we have WMSD prevention Law and System in Korea to reduce WMSDs effectively and systematically we recognized some mistakes and problems of WMSD Law and System. In this paper we study these recent problems in Korea from about 10 years experience and proposed some proposals as discussion.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.21-30
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• 2008

The psychosocial stress and musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) have been one of major health problems for hospital workers. This study tried to understand the relationship between symptoms associated with MSDs and risk factors such as working posture, job stress, psychosocial stress and fatigue. A total number of 655 hospital workers participated in this study. Specifically, REBA was applied for evaluating working posture and a checklist prepared by KOSHA(Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency) was used for symptom survey. A questionnaire from KOSHA was also used for collecting data associated with job stress, psychosocial stress and fatigue. All these data were formulated and modeled by path analysis which was one of major statistical tools in this study. Specifically, path analysis for the data we collected came up with several major findings. The risk scores from working posture based on REBA had indirect effects via fatigue factor(MFS) as well as direct effects on symptoms. The factors associated with job stress (KOSS) and psychosocial stress(PWI-SF) had significant effects on symptoms. Specifically, indirect effect of job stress factors via fatigue factors(MFS) had bigger than that of direct effect of job stress on symptom.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.37-50
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• 2001

Objects : This study is to be applied effectively to the acupuncture treatment for VDT syndrome. Methods : I referred to occidental and oriental medical records. Results and Conclusion : VDT syndrom is the concept focalizing work environment and labor load, and named all that symptoms according to excessive VDT works. The disorders of VDT syndrome is divided into 2 groups with muscaloskeletal disorders and non-musculoskeletal disorders, and non-musculoskeletal disorders is secondly divided into 3 groups with visual disorders, stress disorders and others. The risk factor of VDT syndrome is divided 4 groups with repetitive acts, consistent works, uncomfortable work postures, unprofitable light environments, jobs needs for excessive power and mental or physical fatigues. In oriental medicine area, I apply VDT syndrome to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛) to base on similarities of the risk factors and disorders between VDT syndrome and Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛), that is painful illness on shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. And, Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛) is divided 3 groups into Susamuhm(shousanyin, 手三陰), Susamyang(shousanyang, 手三陽) and Joktaeyang(zutaiyang, 足太陽) on the ground of meridian. Disorders related to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛) is grounded on kyungmaek(Jingmai, 經脈) disorder called sidongbyung(shidongbing, 是動病) and sosaengbyung(suoshengbing, 所生病) and Kyungkeun(Jingjin,經筋) disorder related to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛). As a result of this study, there is many similarities between VDT syndrome and Kyunbitong (jianbeitong, 肩臂痛). On acupuncture treatment, VDT syndrome can be applied to Kyunbitong(jianbeitong, 肩臂痛)'s on the basis of meridians, because of similarities of risk factors and disorders between VDT syndrome and Kyunbitong(jienbeitong, 肩臂痛).

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.243-262
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate musculo-skeletal symtoms and working conditions of university library's librarians to search for the risk factors related to musculo-skeletal symptoms. The study subjects were 266 librarians who were working at 20 university libraries. A self-recording questionnaire was used to investigate the general characteristics, working conditions, job intensity, job satisfaction and stress, education of musculoskeletal disorders and nature of musculoskeletal symptom. Statistical analysis was done by using t-test and multiple regression analysis. The complaint proportion of self-reported positive musculoskeletal symptoms was 62.5% and that of severe musculoskeletal symptoms was 26.1%. Multiple regression analysis showed that low satisfaction of working conditions, high job intensity, irregular mealtime, job stress were closely related to the positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms. Therefore, it will be necessary to make efforts to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders improving working conditions and mitigating the job intensity.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.83-89
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• 2009

This study was conducted to assess exposure to musculoskeletal disorders risk factors in the cooking & housekeeping jobs in hotel work. PATH (posture, activity, tools and handling) method was used for data collection at the 6 hotel settings in different regions across Korea. From 26 workers, a total of 949 PATH observations were obtained. The highest percent time on non-neutral posture was 78% for pinch grip, followed by 74%(wrist deviation), 52%(trunk posture), 37%(shoulder/arm posture), and 30%(neck posture). The highest percent time in the three HAL variables was 47% for HAL-cat2. The percent time of items in relation to both loads with more than 5kg and contact stress was less than 2%. The hotel workers were not exposed to vibration.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2015

Objective: In this review we discuss the health effects among office workers. Background: Even if office workers are not exposed hazardous or harmful environment frequently, some problems could be happened to the office workers. Although serious occupational diseases rarely occur to the office workers, it is important to consider occupational risk factors for the office worker because the portion of the office workers is relatively high in all industries. Method: We divided possible health effects for the office workers into three categories; musculoskeletal disorders, indoor environment, and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. We reviewed related articles, textbooks, and statistical materials non-systematically and described risk factors, related illnesses, and prevention strategies on each category. Results: Office workers have various musculoskeletal disorders to be intervened. By medical treatment, improving working environment, and ergonomic intervention, office workers can be prevented from musculoskeletal injuries. Poor indoor environment can cause many building-related illnesses or sick building syndrome. Although the etiology of some problems by poor indoor environment is not clear, it helps to maintain adequate humidity, temperature, and clarity of indoor air. Cerebro-cardiovascular diseases are a rising issue because office workers in Korea tend to work for a lot of time. To prevent the diseases, it is needed to work for adequate time, lengthen activity level, and manage other medical risk factors for the diseases. Conclusion: There is no distinct occupational disease for office workers. However, there are some aspects to consider the health effects of office workers and it is important to prevent the possible health problems. Application: A strategy against occupational diseases among office workers can be established by reviewing this article.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.314-318
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• 2018

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the health industry are quite common, however, there have only been a few studies regarding physiotherapists, while in Greece, there is an apparent lack of research and data. The aim of this study is to investigate MSDs experienced by physiotherapists in Greece, their causes and specific measures, and good practices followed. Additional emerging risk factors will be examined. Methods: A questionnaire of MSDs followed by individual and workplace characteristics was completed by 252 physiotherapists. It covered the major workplace categories such as public hospitals, private rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Results: Analysis indicated that 89% of the respondents had experienced a work-related MSD; 32.2% of those injuries occurred within the first 5 years of working. The most lumbered physiotherapists were those working as private practitioners and almost half of the injured respondents chose to work while injured. The most common measure taken to tackle work related MSDs was found to be physical therapy sessions. Job satisfaction and psychosocial issues were also identified as side-effects of the economic slowdown. Conclusion: Physiotherapists in Greece were found to suffer from MSDs; workplace musculoskeletal injuries were quite common but under-reported. The body parts most affected were the lower back, the upper back, the shoulders, and the neck. There was a strong correlation between the workplace setting and the number of MSDs. A well-defined occupational safety and health management system and strict administration steering were found to reduce MSDs. The economic slowdown experienced in Greece during the execution of this study placed additional pressure on physiotherapists.