• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.69-92
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• 2001

The purposes of this study were to offer foundation making more certain standards of musculoskeletal disorder diagnosis, We researched musculoskeletal symptoms degrees, frequencies, and cares and then examined relation between musculoskeletal symptoms and diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions using moire topography among workers at an automobile manufacturing plant. Therefore we propose the possibility of moire topography as diagnosing utilities of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This study was to examine the general characteristics, complaints of musculoskeletal symptoms, and work-related musculoskeletal disorder rates of cervicobrachial and lumbar area by survey among 435 workers at an automobile manufacturing plant and then to show each frequency and percentage, In the diagnosis using moire topography, we studied pain control necessity of cervicobrachial and lumbar area, 435 subjects were classified by 5 levels: A(no symptoms), B(need management), C(need treatment) and then more divided by B1(light symptoms)/B2(heavy symptoms), C1(light symptoms)/C2(heavy symptoms), And musculoskeletal areas were divided by 2 parts, cervicobrachial area(neck, shoulder, arm&elbow, and wrist&hand) and lumbar area, Then, frequency and percentage of each musculoskeletal areas(cervicobrachial and lumbar area) were appeared. At last, Pearson's chi-square test analysis was utilized to observe the relation between diagnosis using moire topography and general characteristics and the relation between diagnosis using moire topography and work-related complaint of musculoskeletal symptoms of cervicobrachial and lumbar area, Results: The subjects employed for this research were categorized into; by gender, all of them were males(l00%): by age, under 35 years 12 %, 36-40 years 56.3%, 41-45 years 26.3 %, and above 46 years 5.3% with 36-40 years accounting for most of it. By living location, owned houses represented 69.7%, rented houses 23.4%, monthly-rented 1.6%, the others 5.3%; by education, middle school and lower represented 3.0%, high school 89.4%, and junior college and higher 7.6% with high school occupying most of the group. By marital status, married represented 95.2%, unmarried 4.1%, and the others 0.7% with most of them married; by alcohol, drinking represented 81.8% and non-drinking 18.2%; by smoking status, smoking represented 53.6%, non-smoking 46.4% with no big difference between them. By working time(hours/week), below 50 represented 26.9%, 50-60 67.6%, above 60 5.5%; by working time(hours/day), below 9 represented 21.6%, 10-12 73.1%, above 13 5.3%; by job tenure(years), below 10 represented 25.1%, 11-15 54.3%, 16-20 15.2%, above 21 5.5%. By personal income per year, below 30 million won represented 11.0%, 30-40 84.8%, above 40 4.1%; by sleeping hours, below 6 hours represented 26.7%, 7-8 hours 69.9%, above 9 hours 3.4%. Complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and work-related musculoskeletal disorder rates were 63.9% and 54.9% with shoulder area occupying most of both them. By pain degree of musculoskeletal symptoms, shoulder area represented $2.73{\pm}0.84$, lumbar area $2.66{\pm}0.86$, wrist and hand area $2.59{\pm}0.86$, neck area $2.55{\pm}0.74$, and arm and elbow area $2.48{\pm}0.71$. By cares about musculoskeletal symptoms, taking medication or care represented 34.4%-46.7%, absence or leave 15.4%-28.7%, and job transfer 6.3%-11.5%. So experienced cases more than one thing among cares about musculoskeletal symptoms represented 39.6%-54%. In the diagnosis using moire topography, pain control necessity of cervicobrachial area was shown below; A(no symptoms) 20.7%, B1(need management/light symptoms) 64.6%, B2(need management/heavy symptoms) 11.5%, C1(need treatment/light symptoms) 3.0%, C2(need treatment/heavy symptoms) 0.2%. By lumbar area, A(no symptoms) 8.7%, B1(need management/light symptoms) 52.2%, B2(need management/heavy symptoms) 30.3%, C1(need treatment/light symptoms) 8.7%, C2(need treatment/heavy symptoms) was none. In the relation between pain control necessity and general characteristics, age(P=0.013), education(P=0.000), and job tenure(P=0.012) with pain control necessity showed differences with significance. The relation between pain control necessity and complaint of musculoskeletal symptoms of cervicobrachial and lumbar area showed no difference with significance; in cervicobrachial area represented P=0.708, lumbar area P=0.318 Conclusions: This study for musculoskeletal symptoms on workers at automobile manufacturing plant showed that complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms for cervicobrachial and lumbar area were so high, 63.9%. But Pearson's chi-square test analysis was utilized to study the relation between musculoskeletal symptoms and the diagnosis using moire topography, showed no differences with significance. They have no differences with significance, but the prevalence rates of diagnosis using moire topography for cervicobrachial and lumbar area were more higher than complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms; complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms were 52.4%, 34.5% and the diagnosis using moire topography were 79.3%, 91.3% for cervicobrachial and lumbar area. The results of this study indicate that the diagnosis using moire topography can find weak musculoskeletal disorders that an individual can not feel, not be judged work-related musculoskeletal disease. Therefore, this study has an important meaning that diagnosis using moire topography can predict and control own physical condition complete musculoskeletal disorders beforehand, since oriental medicine theory considers that prevention is important.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1021-1039
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• 2012

Based on the ergonomic evaluation of workers in the domestic traditional Korean sweet manufacturer, one of the small scale agricultural product manufacturers, the purpose of this study is on estimating the specific works and muscles that have possibility of musculoskeletal disorder through an EMG experiment for quantitative evaluation. The method followed in an order: works that have musculoskeletal disorder risk were extracted through ergonomic assessment tools, RULA and REBA, and then EMG experiment on the postures was carried out with six healthy adult male patients. As an ergonomic evaluation result, work posture during the drying process had the greatest musculoskeletal disorder risk, and EMG activity in the cleansing work posture scored the highest among the drying, cleansing, and coating work postures. In particular in the drying work, relatively high EMG activities were shown in the two muscles in the lower body: biceps femoris muscle, and gastrocnemius, than any other muscles. Therefore, during the traditional Korean sweet workplace design in future, the workplace requires a posture that deeply bow wrist for a long time should be avoided.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.3999-4008
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• 2012

This study investigated the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder(WMSDs) for physical therapists who have different work duties. We analyzed the symptoms in the musculoskeletal system and the degree of work-harmfulness by the survey of the symptom in the musculoskeletal system and rapid upper limb assessment(RULA) for pain control group(n=56), adult exercise group(n=53), and pediatric exercise group(n=22). As a result, 69.6% of the pain control group, 84.9% of the adult exercise group, 81.8% of the pediatric exercise group show the observable symptom. The adult exercise group has the biggest work load per hour in the final wrist & arm score of the ergonomic risk assessment using RULA. The action level of the pain control group is $3.0{\pm}0.9$; the Action Level of adult exercise group is $3.3{\pm}0.6$; the Action Level of the pediatric exercise group is $3.2{\pm}0.8$, and so it is shown that the adult exercise group has a problem of working posture. It is considered that devices and education system for preventing from WMSDs should come into wide use.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.121-130
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• 2014

To devise a plan to efficiently control and cope with musculoskeletal disorders, this study conducted a self-administered survey among dental hygienists working at dental clinics in Daegu. The data were collected from December 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014, and drew the following conclusions. For body posture for medical procedures, at lower levels in their careers, the hygienists' head and back were more bent; at higher levels in their careers, the their shoulders, body and hips were more bent; and at higher levels in their careers, their assistance posture in general was more bent. Hygienists with longer years of experience had more pain in the neck and the arms/elbows. Respondents engaged in medical treatment services were more likely to have pain in their arms/elbows, and those engaged in assisting in medical treatment and consulting and insurance services were more likely to have pain in their necks. It is necessary to recognize the seriousness of musculoskeletal disorders, provide specific education through supplementary training and relevant seminars, and avoid repetitive use of the same muscle or joint through environmental improvement of dental clinics, and personal efforts should be made to maintain good posture.

• 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 Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was to examine the features of work and posture analysis outputs in assessment of exposure to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors in general hospital nurses. Methods: Work and posture analyses were carried out using observational approaches for nurses at general hospitals across Korea. With development of a taxonomy for assessing exposure to MSD risk factors, nursing tasks were documented in frequency (%time) for 8 hours a day in work analyses. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) scores were obtained for mode and maximum risk levels, respectively, during posture analyses. Results: A total of 27 nurses were observed while conducting 7 nursing tasks at 6 general hospitals. For both the work analyses and posture analyses, the taxonomy was developed and used. In the work analyses, 'Video display terminal task' and 'Nursing examination/ treatment' were the highest as 25%time for 8 hours a day, followed by 'Patient care' and 'Room rounding' as 13%time in order. In the posture analyses, the mode REBA scores were 2 or less for all nursing tasks while the maximum REBA scores were 7 for upper limbs at 'Room rounding' and 6 for trunk/neck/legs at 'Patient care'. Conclusions: The results showed the study nurses are occasionally at a risk for MSD, a medium level as designated in the REBA risk level, suggesting that it is important to control awkward posture at the nursing tasks such as 'Room rounding' and 'Patient care', in priority, for preventing MSD in the hospital sector including the study general hospitals.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.412-422
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• 2009

This study was conducted to assess exposure to musculoskeletal disorder(MSD) risk factors in hospital personnel who performed non-routinized work tasks. A tool ("PATH-KOSHA" version) was newly revised from PATH(Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling) method and uploaded into a personal digital assistant(PDA). The version was used, on a basis of direct-observation, to collect PATH data at the 2 hospital settings in different regions. Job analysis was performed to get various information (e.g., work and rest time, task type) as well. The data collected were visually checked for data cleaning and stored for future data analysis. A total of 1,992 PATH observations were made for 37 hospital workers. Exposure levels varied across 18 items of the MSD risk factors. The highest percent time spent on non-neutral postures was 53% for wrist deviation, followed by 47%(pinch grip), 35%(trunk posture), 23%(neck posture), and 20%(shoulder/arm posture). The highest percent time spent among hand activity level(HAL) variables was 55% for HAL-cat2 (HAL: 3.3 - <6.7). The percent time of items with respect to both loads with more than 5kg and contact stress was less than 4%. Vibration was not exposed in the study workers. Different aspects were discussed for findings. The study results showed that wrist deviation was highest in percent time spent on awkward posture while HAL-cat2 was highest in hand repetition. The study suggests that distal upper extremity posture and HAL should be primarily addressed and controlled in non-routinized work including the hospital settings.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.81-92
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• 2008

Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) problems have been increasingly reported in hospital sector but the problems were not addressed with respect to holistic aspects of the target population in Korea. Often, it is required to understand how MSD symptoms are associated with factors such as personal, work environmental and psychosocial stressors. To examine features of association between sets of MSD symptoms and the factors, a questionnaire survey was conducted in a university hospital. A 140-item questionnaire was developed and used for collecting information including factors (e.g., job/occupation, task/activity, job stress) and MSD symptoms. A total of 1,091 workers (male 23.7% and female 76.3%) were finally determined for data analyses. Prevalence rate for the whole body was 72% and, among body parts, the highest was 48.7% for the shoulder, followed by 34.6%(the low back), 32.7%(the leg/foot), 27.9%(the neck), 26.7%(the wrist) and 12%(the elbow). The symptoms were significantly different by job/occupational variable in each of all body parts except the neck. The symptoms were very significantly different by task/activity variables in each of all body parts while those symptoms were significantly different by psychosocial variables, depending on body part and gender. In the logistic regression analyses performed for MSD symptoms by body part and each of 3 factors, odds ratio values varied, ranging from 0.7 to 3.3. The controls for reducing the symptoms were discussed on the basis of the findings. The results show that the MSD symptoms can remarkably vary by the factors and, in particular, can be highly differential for the task/activity factor. This study suggests that MSD symptom features be examined by using various factors and then a higher differential factor be primarily utilized for controling MSD symptoms in general industry including hospital settings.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal diseases and the degree of job stress among shipyard workers. The study population was 7,078 employees of the D shipbuilding company. Survey data was obtained from 1,727 employees using a proportional sample according to age and a self-administered questionnaire. The associations were examined with ${\chi}^2$ and logistic regression. The main results were as follows: First, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disease in any one part is 59.5% by NIOSH standard. Second, subjects who had worked in the shipyard for over five years had a prevalence of musculoskeletal disease 1.8 times higher than subjects who had worked in the shipyard for less than five years (p<.01). Finally, those who had less support from co-worker's had a prevalence of musculoskeletal disease 1.3 times higher than subjects who had more support from co-worker's (p<.05). Throughout the results, shipyard workers had higher occurrences of musculoskeletal diseases than other manufacturing workers and the risk of musculoskeletal disorder tended to increase with higher job stress. In this research, the plan to reduce musculoskeletal diseases involved making a program and policy which would be able to lower job stress socio-psychologically. This research will prove useful by using basic preventive materials to improve the musculoskeletal health of labores who work in shipyards and similar places.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.209-214
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• 2011

Objectives: To assess the risk of pushing or pulling the yarn-carrying cart, the survey was performed in some fiber manufacturing factories. Methods: We selected 6 fiber-twisting factories which agreed to in-site survey of their workplace. To measure both initial and sustained forces of the push-pull tasks, Chatillon CSD500 dynamometer(2004, Ametek, USA) was used. The mean of 3 tests for the same cart was adopted as the measured forces. Height and width of cart, weight of spooled yarns, and distance of movement were also measured. Inspection of cart wheel, moving path, and the actual hand position while moving was done. Results: More than one pushing or pulling task exceeded the push-pull force limits of design goal in 5 factories. Though the cart was not loaded the heaviest weight in the factory, the measured push or pull force exceeded the limits several times. A few cart wheels were worn out and tangled with pieces of yarn. It was also observed some holes in the moving path. Conclusions: While the push-pull task is not included in the 11 scopes of over-burdened work notified by Korean government, it should be recognized as risk factor of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The maintenance work such as regular change and frequent cleaning of cart wheel, the use of fitting wheel, and flattening of bumpy floor through the moving path should be advised importantly in the worksite management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.