The Effects of Job Stress on Musculoskeletal Diseases Among Shipyard Workers

조선업 근로자의 직무스트레스가 근골격계 질환에 미치는 영향

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.