• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 1996

This study was conducted at an automobile assembly line located in Kyonggi-do, Korea from January 16 to February 28, 1995. The purposes of this study were to assess worker exposures to hand-arm vibration and the performance of gloves for reduction of vibration. The exposure to vibration was measured using to the ISO 5349(1986) method. Vibration acceleration and frequency spectra for each tool were determined on-line replicating actual working conditions and analyzed together with exposure time for evaluating individual worker exposure. Eight pneumatic hand tools, 60 workers exposured to hand-arm vibration, and three pairs of gloves were involved in this study. Results are summarized as follows. 1. Dominant frequencies of vibration for all tools(n=8) measured in this study ranged from 250 Hz to 800 Hz. 2. There was no significant correleration between dominant frequencies and free running speed (p>0.05). 3. Total predicted exposure times of using impact, hammer type did not exceed 40 minutes, but metal finish task, using grinder and sander exceeded 40 minutes. Total exposure time affected significantly the frequency-weighted, 4 hr equivalent acceleration. 4. Predicted prevalence and observed exposure period data were compared in workers(n=60), according to ISO 5349. In this results, 23(50.0 %) and 24(48.07 %) persons exceeded the mean latency periods for vibration-induced white finger(VWF) at 10 % (n=46) and 50 % (n=52) standards, respectively. On the basis of ISO equation, mean latent periods for VWF were 3.23, 4.72 years at 10 %, 50 % standards, respectively. 5. Reduction of vibration by gloves was evaluated. Since impact pneumatic tools produced low frequency vibrations, conventional gloves did not provide any protection. Gloves A and C amplify somewhat the signal at frequency below 400 Hz; the attenuation increases progressively by frequency to reach 18 dB ($7.94{\times}10^{-6}m/s^2$) at 1,000 Hz, slightly worsening Glove B did not provide any protection and made the situation slightly worse. However, since they make the hands warm, the occurrence of vibration-induced white fingers may be reduced.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2023

Today, in order to improve fuel efficiency and dynamic behavior of automobiles, an era of light weight and simplification of automobile parts is being formed. In order to simplify and design and manufacture the shape of the product, various components are integrated. For example, in order to commercialize three products into one product, product processing is occurring to a very narrow area. In the case of existing parts, precision die casting or casting production is used for processing convenience, and the multi-piece method requires a lot of processes and reduces the precision and strength of the parts. It is very advantageous to manufacture integrally to simplify the processing air and secure the strength of the parts, but if a deep and narrow pocket part needs to be processed, it cannot be processed with the equipment's own spindle. To solve a problem, research on cutting processing is being actively conducted, and multi-axis composite processing technology not only solves this problem. It has many advantages, such as being able to cut into composite shapes that have been difficult to flexibly cut through various processes with one machine tool so far. However, the reality is that expensive equipment increases manufacturing costs and lacks engineers who can operate the machine. In the five-axis cutting processing machine, when producing products with deep and narrow sections, the cycle time increases in product production due to the indirectness of tools, and many problems occur in processing. Therefore, dedicated machine tools and multi-axis composite machines should be used. Alternatively, an angle spindle may be used as a special tool capable of multi-axis composite machining of five or more axes in a three-axis machining center. Various and continuous studies are needed in areas such as processing vibration absorption, low heat generation and operational stability, excellent dimensional stability, and strength securing by using the angle spindle.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.147-159
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• 1995

This study was conducted to introduce fundamental data of hand-arm vibration and noise exposure levels with impact wrenches(double-hammer impact wrenches and oil-pulse impact wrenches) used in automobile assembly lines considering the process variables and tool variables. In studing, products per day, required time screwing the bolts or nuts per bolts or nut were considered as process variables, and capacity of bolts or nuts, air consumptions per minute, tool weights, RPM were considered as tool variables. Hand-arm vibration levels of 3 axis in each hand were measured using the instruments compling with ISO/DIS 5349 and noise levels were measured using a noise logging dosimeter. The results were as follows : 1. Required time to screwing the bolt or nut by oil-pulse impact wrenches is shorter than double-hammer impact wrenches but total daily exposure time of oil-pulse impact wrenches was higher than double-hammer impact wrenches because the number of bolts or nuts per cycle was many. 2. Oil-pulse impact wrenches have been used to screwing the large bolt or nut in comparing with double-hammer impact wrenches and required time to screwing the bolts or nuts were shorter than double-hammer impact wrenches because oil-pulse impact wrenches were using high RPM and large air consumption per minute. Noise level of oil-pulse impact wrenches was 8 dB(A) lower than double-hammer impact wrenches. 3. Dominant hand-arm vibration levels of double-hammer impact wrenches in each hand were $8.24m/sec^2$ of Zh axis in right hand and $9.60m/sec^2$ of Xh axis in left hand. Dominant hand-arm vibration level of oil-pulse impact wrenches in each hand was $2.59m/sec^2$ of Xh axis in right hand and $3.23m/sec^2$ of Yh axis in left hand. 4. In double-hammer impact wrenches, corresponding hand-arm vibration levels of Xh, Yh, Zh axis in left hand were higher than hand-arm vibration levels of right hand in 3 axis. In oil-pulse impact wrenches, Xh axis of right, Yh axis of left, Zh axis of left were higher than the corresponding hand-arm vibration levels of Xh, Yh, Zh axis in right and left hand. 5. Correlation coefficients among Xh, Yh. Zh axis of right and left hand hand-arm vibration levels in double-hammer impact wrenches and oil-pulse impact wrenches were commonly high in Yh axis and correlation coefficients of Yh axis in double-hammer impact wrenches and oil-pulse impact wrenches were 0.76 and 0.86,respectively. 6. As a measure repetitiveness, plotting total daily exposure time with the number of bolts or nut per cycle, direct correlation was shown between repetitiveness and hand-arn vibration exposure, and correlation coefficient between the number of bolts or nut per cycle and total daily exposure time in double-hammer impact wrenches, oil-pulse impact wrenches were 0.84 and 0.50, respectively. 7. Considering the total acceleration level and tool variables in double-hammer impact wrenches and oil-pulse impact wrenches, air consumption in right hand, and bolt or nut capacity in left hand were commonly the variable that explainability was high. Considering the noise and tool variables in double-hammer impact wrenches and oil-pulse impact wrenches, air consumption per minute was commonly the variable that explainability was high.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.289-299
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• 2007

Objectives : To investigate the related factors on musculoskeletal symptoms among Korean female workers. Methods : A total of 1,875 female workers (1,002 office workers and 873 blue-collar workers) was analyzed. They were randomly selected among female workers by cluster sampling and interviewed by well trained interviewer, who filled out a structured questionnaire on the musculoskeletal symptoms. Other factors such as general and occupational characteristics including workplace location, employment condition, work duration, and working condition were also investigated. Results : Current smokers and drinkers were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working full time were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working over 8 hours per day were also popular in office workers than in blue-collar workers. Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly higher in the type of work including excessive repetitive work, work using awkward stretching hand upwards, work using repetitive wrist movements, static work using awkward hand posture, and heavy manual lifting and handling works. The mean score of the symptoms were significantly higher in blue-collar than in office workers. The significantly different working factors between two groups were work duration, employment condition and daily work hours. Conclusion : We suggest that the type of work including awkward and repetitive works as well as job type may be one of the most important factors related to musculoskeletal symptoms of female workers in the workplace. Preventive strategy will be needed to prevent the negative impact on health status of working women in the workplace.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.48-59
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• 1999

Objectives. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment(RULA) in vehicle assembly line workers. The goal of this study is to show the feasibility of RULA as a checklist for work related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSDs) in Korean workers. Methods. The total number of 199 people from the department of assembly and 115 people from the department of Quality Control(QC) in automotive plant were subjects for this cross sectional study. A standard symptom questionnaire survey has been used for the individual characteristics, work history, musculosketal symptoms and non-occupational covariates. The data were obtained by applying one-on-one interview for the all subjects. RULA has been applied for ergonomic work posture analysis and the primary ergonomic risk sure was computed by RULA method. Association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and RULA were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. A total of 314 workers was examined. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH case definition was 62.4%. The distribution of musculoskeletal symptoms by the part of the body turned out to be following; back:41.4%, neck: 32.8%, shoulder: 26.4%, arm: 10.5% and hand:29.3%. The relationship of the individual RULA scores were statistically significant for the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. As the result of the multiple logistic regressioin analysis, grand final score (OR=2.250 95% CI: 1.402-3.612) was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in any part of the body.; upper arm score(OR=1.786 95% CI: 1.036-3.079) and posture score A(OR=1.634 95% CI: 1.016-2.626) in neck; muscel use score(OR=3.076 95% CI:1.782-5.310) and posture score A(OR=1.798 95% CI: 1.072-3.017) in shoulder; upper arm score(OR=1.715 95% CI: 1.083-2.715) and muscel use score(OR=2.057 95% CI:1.303-3.248) in neck & shoulder; muscle use score(OR=10.662 95% CI: 3.180-35.742) in arm; writst/wist score(OR=2.068 95% CI: 1.130-3.786) and muscle use score(OR=2.215 95% CI: 1.284-3.819) in hand & wrist.; muscle use score of trunk (OR=2.601 95% CI: 1.147-5.901) in back. Conclusions. Musculoskeletal symptoms of the extremities were strongly associated with individual RULA body score. These results show that RULA can be used as a useful assessment tool for the evaluation of musculoskeletal loading which is known to contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. RULA also can be used as a screening tool or incorporated into a wider ergonomic assessment of epidemiological, physical, mental, environmental and organizational factors. As shown in this study, complement of the analysis system for the other risk factors and characterizing between the upper limb and back part will be needed for future work.