• 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 Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to improve the firing elevation driving method for towed howitzer to prevent the musculoskeletal disorders. To adjust the firing elevation, it is required to rotate the hand wheel and this work has been done manually in the firing test range as the same method as field artillery troops. In the firing test range, the motor-driven firing elevation adjustment device was developed to improve the working efficiency and safety. These were compared by using posture classification scheme of RULA and REBA. It was measured elapsed time to investigate the improved operational efficiency. The optimal posture of upper body to operate the hand wheel for field artillery troops was proposed.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2002

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the physical load by identifying harmfully working postures and to develop recommendations for improving the existing situation with nurses in ICU, thereby to provide the basis for development of work-related musculoskeletal preventive program. Method: Various types of tasks were recorded with a video camera to chart and analyze different postures by OWAS(Ovako Working Posture Analysing System). Collected data showed that poor postures were adopted, not only for lifting or repositoning a patient, but also for other tasks. Data Analysis: The performed activities were then divided into Nursing Intervention Classification. Altogether 128 postures were selected for analysis. Then they were classified into different OAC (OWAS Action Categories). From all the observation, unhealthy postures, for which corrective measures had to be considered immediately (i.e., 75% classified as OACII+III+IV) were found. Collected data were analyzed in terms of percentage, 2-tail Mann-Whitney U test. Result: Poor postures mainly occur during 'positioning the patient' and 'airway suctioning' in NIC. No difference was found (p=0.060) between the percentage of harmful posture adopted during the patient handling tasks and non-patient handling tasks. Conclusion: This study shows, that in the nursing profession with ICU not only occur during patient handling, but also during other activities. The OWAS method was useful in determining the physical load by locating potential activities due to harmfully working postures, providing a detailed description with analysis, and suggesting successful means to reduce postural load.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.419-426
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• 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a work of guards, using an ergonomic method(work analysis and posture analysis). Background: Most studies about guards were conducted in the field of medical, problems of shift, and the physical problems of old workers and social problems. But, guards consist of vulnerability group so it needs an ergonomic research in musculoskeletal disorders. Method: A head of an ergonomic estimation was work analysis(determination of combined task, work tool, work time and frequency of combined task) and posture analysis(upper body and lower body) of workers based on the video. Results: The result showed that combined task of guards was classification of patrolling, security, cleaning and waiting. The security indicated the highest ratio in the work time of combined tasks. The results of posture analysis for guards indicated high value in neutral. But, lower arm indicated high value in bending(left: 59%, right: 50%). Conclusion: The results of ergonomic methods indicated that guards' physical work load was not high during work, but comfortable work environment would be required for old guards. Application: If an ergonomic rule can be integrated into existing work environments, the risk of occupational injuries and stress will be reduced.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.405-411
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• 2013

Objective: Product design process without considering the strength of the user can cause the excessive burden on musculoskeletal system of human body. Since the muscle strength will vary depending on the body posture, the design of product should consider the characteristics of body posture. This study was performed to investigate the effects of forearm postures on the push and pull strength. Background: Overexerted force has been identified to cause musculoskeletal disorders. It is important to know the push and pull strength exerted by human when designing so that exerted force does not exceed the safety limits. Method: Maximum isometric push and pull strength of left, right and both hands were measured according to forearm postures with pronation, neutral and supination. For the study, 66 male and 30 female undergraduate students were participated as subjects. All subjects were normal and healthy with no clinical history. Results: The results showed that the push strength of male and female were 93.3% and 85.4% of pull strength. It showed that the strength of one-hand was 72.1~81.0% of the strength of two-hands, and the strength of left hand was 93.1~95.8% of the strength of right hand. The strength of female was 62% of the one of male. It was found that the strength with pronation $90^{\circ}$ was reduced up to 20% compared to the strength with neutral posture. Conclusion: Push and pull strength of male and female were reduced when forearm was rotated extremely. Application: The results of this study will be used for the prevention of work related musculoskeletal disorders and design of industrial equipment.

• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.51-62
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• 2022

This study suggests a design of predictive modeling for a hospital fall risk based on inpatients' posture. Inpatient's profile, medical history, and body measurement data along with basic information about a bed they use, were used to predict a fall risk and suggest an algorithm to determine the level of risk. Fall risk prediction is largely divided into two parts: a real-time fall risk evaluation and a qualitative fall risk exposure assessment, which is mostly based on the inpatient's profile. The former is carried out by recognizing an inpatient's posture in bed and extracting rule-based information to measure fall risk while the latter is conducted by medical staff who examines an inpatient's health status related to hospital fall risk and assesses the level of risk exposure. The inpatient fall risk is determined using a sigmoid function with recognized inpatient posture information, body measurement data and qualitative risk assessment results combined. The procedure and prediction model suggested in this study is expected to significantly contribute to tailored services for inpatients and help ensure hospital fall prevention and inpatient safety.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.167-172
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• 2008

Recently a high-quality voxel model of a Korean adult male was constructed at Hanyang University by using very high resolution serially-sectioned anatomical images of a cadaver, which was provided by the Korean Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI). Most existing voxel phantoms are developed based on an individual in the supine posture. This study converted the HDRK-Man voxel model into surface model and adjusted the flattened back of the HDRK-Man to a normal shape in the upright posture using 3D graphic softwares such as $3D-DOCTOR^{TM}$, $Rapidform^{(R)}$2006, $Rhinoceros^{(R)}$4.0, $MAYA^{(R)}$8.5. The effective doses of adjusted model were compared with those of unadjusted model for some standard irradiation geometries (i.e., AP, PA, LLAT, RLAT). In general, the differences were not very large and, among those, the largest difference was found for the PA radiation geometry, as expected. These methodologies can be used for the development of various deformed posture models of HDRK-Man in the later stage of this project.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.45-54
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• 2001

This paper investigate and compare the appraisement methods and programs are related in Ergonomic, which in foreign country are approved to appraise worker's posture and environment. First, Search the appraisement program to need and develop the program. Second, Design and develop the standard model that easy and accurate, and apply to our country workstation. To response above mention, we made the EWAP(Ergonomic Workplace Analysis program) and purpose of EWAP is assisting the activity of safety management to assess more detail and delicate through quantitative methodology in which operated the Ergonomic Workplace safety management. EWAP can provide the more convenience where need to analyze their Ergonomic Workplace problem and developed by the algorithm of Ergonomic Workplace Analysis management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.20 no.1 s.69
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• pp.148-152
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• 2005

The purpose of this paper is to investigate risk factors and ergonomically improve the manufacturing lines of compressors for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, enhancement of productivity, and workers satisfaction We executed questionnaire survey, ergonomic risk factors investigation of manufacturing lines and ergonomic intervention of work methods, workplace and hand tools. The results of the questionnaire showed that $7.9\%$ of respondents were positive in WMSDs symptom survey. In ergonomic evaluation, the analysis methods such as RULA and NIOSH lifting equation were used and 28 processes in the lines were evaluated to be potentially hazardous. We ergonomically improved the processes to reduce potential WMSDs hazards : manual material handling, carts, work tables, transport methods, working posture and hand tools.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.13-23
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• 2006

Grip strength provides a quick and objective index of the functional integrity of the upper extremities. It is widely used as an assessment measure in physical and rehabilitation medicine. In this study, maximum voluntary grip strength of 20 college students wearing 5 different gloves were measured using Jamar hand dynamometer. The results show that maximum voluntary grip strength was generally reduced when wearing gloves as compared to bare-handed. More specifically, the grip strength was highest when wearing PVC coated glove or bare-handed and getting lowered as wrist band, rubber, leather, and cotton glove in these order. Depending on the measuring posture of grip strength, shoulder height with arm extended forward was higher than the elbow was flexed 90 degree. Moreover, subjects' demographic factors and hand dimensions were not closely related to the grip strength. It is thus recommended that the proper glove should be provided to reduce the negative consequences including dropping a tool, poorer control of a tool. lower quality work, and increased muscle fatigue and in turn to increase the user safety and satisfaction.