• 산업안전기술지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2003

In recent years, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are one of major issues in occupational safety and health in Korea, since the number of injured workers has rapidly increased and the related regulation was amended to improve the work conditions. Main risk factors of WMSDs in Korean industries include manual handling of heavy weight loads, awkward postures, repetitive tasks, prolonged static muscle contraction, and so on. in this article, some ergonomics case studies for identifying the risk factors of WMSDs and far their prevention were introduced. They include a biomechanical analysis for the heavy-weight handling task in a machine-repair shop, physiological evaluation of backpack-carrying tasks in a beverage delivery job, and a set of psychophysical studies to evaluate static-postural load. These studies showed that there are several different ergonomic approaches to identifying and evaluating risk factors of WMSDs and to eliminating them or reducing their levels, and that it is important to select proper methods and apply them in improving the work conditions according to the characteristics of the task. In addition, it needs to develop practical and effective ergonomic tools to prevent WMSDs and to provide these tools to the safety managers in the field so that they can improve the tasks by themselves.

• 한국조리학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

The aim of this survey is to investigate the occupational musculoskeletal disease and stress levels of restaurant cooks and to provide a basic data of programs in order to prevent occupational diseases. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 220 subjects in Gangwon province. The results show that there was no significant difference in the degree of occupational musculoskeletal disease between male cooks and female cooks. However, western cuisine cooks were more likely to have a higher degree of occupational musculoskeletal disease than other cuisine cooks and showed a higher degree of occupational stress from work overload as well as irregular meal stresses. Cooks aged from 30 to 40 years showed a higher level of occupational musculoskeletal disease in the neck, shoulder, and hand/wrist compared to those in other age groups. The job tenure was related to the degree of musculoskeletal disease in knee. Additionally, the hours of working per day were statistically significantly related to musculoskeletal disease in the knee and to the occupational stress levels in irregular meals stress. The findings of this study suggest that it is essential to design customized education for cooks to lessen their occupational musculoskeletal diseases and stresses in order to ensure the health and safety of the culinary workers.

• 한국응급구조학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.33-46
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in 119 EMT during patient-carrying tasks using a long backboard (LBB) and a variable stretcher. Methods: Manikins were used as patients, and 45 new 119 EMT from K Fire Academy were filmed performing patient-carrying tasks on stairs. The tasks were analyzed using Ovako working posture analysis system (OWAS) and Rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Results: In using LBB, the OWAS score was Mode 3(Mean 2.37, Maximum 3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 11(Mean 9.16, Maximum 11), requiring immediate improvement. In using variable stretcher, the OWAS score was Mode 1(Mean 2.33, Maximum 3), non-necessity for corrective action, the REBA score was Mode 9(Mean 8.0, Maximum 11), requiring as soon as possible. Conclusion: In conclusion, improvement was needed in one task (carrying a patient using a LBB) in the OWAS and in two tasks (carrying a patient using a LBB, carrying a patient using a variable stretcher) in the REBA. Thereby, required attention and management of WMSDs during training. In addition, it is essential to carry out objective and quantitative assessments through ergonomic analysis by occupational health professionals when designing future training programs to prevent WMSDs.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.119-127
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• 2014

This study tried to develop a basis for quantitative index of working postures associated with WMSDs (Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders) that could overcome realistic restriction during application of typical checklists for WMSDs evaluation. The baseline data(for a total of 603 jbs) for this study was obtained from automobile manufacturing company. Specifically, data for back posture was analyzed in this study to have a better and more objective method in terms of job relevance than typical methods such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA. Major statistical tools were clustering, logistic regression and so on. The main results in this study could be summarized as follows; 1) The relationship between working posture and WMSDs symptom at back was statistically significant based on the results from logistic regression, 2) Based on clustering analysis, three levels for WMSDs risk at back were produced for flexion as follows: low risk(< $18.5^{\circ}$), medium risk($18.5^{\circ}{\sim}36.0^{\circ}$), high risk(> $36.0^{\circ}$), 3) The sensitivities on risk levels of back flexion was 93.8% while the specificities on risk levels of back flexion was 99.1%. The results showed that the data associated with back postures in this study could provide a good basis for job evaluation of WMSDs at back. Specifically, this evaluation methodology was different from the methods usually used at WMSDs study since it tried to be based on direct job relevance from real working situation. Further evaluation for other body parts as well as back would provide more stability and reliability in WMSDs evaluation study.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.139-156
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• 1998

수산물채취 잠수부에서 발생하는 잠수관련질환을 예방하고, 조기치료에 필요한 기초자료로 활용하기 위하여 잠수부들의 작업환경과 잠수관련질환의 발생양상을 파악하는 단면조사연구를 시행하였다. 수산물채취 어업잠수부 433(서해안 130명, 남해안 220명, 동해안 29명, 기타 54명)을 대상으로 면접과 우편설문을 통하여 인구학적 특성, 취업상태, 잠수기술의 습득경로, 잠수부경력 등의 직업력, 성수기와 비수기의 작업일수, 작업수심, 작업 시기, 잠수방식, 작업횟수, 작업시간, 작업간 휴식시간, 상승시 수중체류 및 급상승의 경험 등 작업특성을 조사하고, 한해 동안 감압병에 이환된 경험과 재압치료 및 잠수관련질환 증상의 경험을 1996년 1월과 2월에 조사하였다. 잠수부들의 평균연령은 39.7세(24-58세), 남자가 92.8%, 고등학교졸업의 학력이 58.4%였다. 평균 잠수부 경력은 12.9년(2-40년), 잠수방식은 후카 70.4%, 헬멧 22.2%, 스쿠버 2.5%였다. 잠수부의 고용상태는 정규 고용 34.7%, 임시고용 54.0%였다. 잠수기술의 습득경로는 선배잠수부 48.5%, 군대 37.6%, 잠수교육기관 12.3%였다. 주된 작업시기는 4-6월이 56%로 가장 많고, 7-9월이 6.4%로 가장 적었다. 성수기의 한달 평균 작업일수는 20.3일, 비수기는 12.5일 이였다. 잠수작업횟수는 하루 5-6회 45.0%, 일회 평균작업 시간은 51.1분, 잠수간 평균휴식시간은 35.5분이었고, 잠수부의 83.6%가 상승시 수중체류를 하고 있으며 80.4%가 급상승을 경험하였다. 후카잠수부의 작업수심은 30m(43%)와 40m(40.4%), 헬멧잠수부는 30m 이하(75.0%), 스쿠버잠수부는 20m 이하(90.9%)에서 주로 작업하였다. 잠수횟수는 주로 후카잠수부가 3-6회(86.5%), 헬멧잠수부가 5-8회(79.9%), 스쿠버잠수부가 4회 이하(81.8%)였다. 잠수부의 65.0%가 지난 일년 동안에 감압병을 경험하였다고 응답하였으며, 잠수작업에 종사한 이후 조사시점까지 전체 잠수부의 31.2%가 재압치료를 받은 경험이 있었다. 감압병의 증상으로는 근골격계 증상과 피부증상이 많았고, 배뇨장애는 39%가 경험하였다고 응답하였다. 혼란효과를 고려하지 않은 단변량분석에서 남자보다 여자에서 감압병의 발생률이 높고, 연령이 증가할수록 감압병의 발생률이 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 잠수부경력이 길수록 감압병의 발생률이 높았으며, 임시 고용에 비해 정규고용의 감압병 발생률이 높았다. 잠수기술은 선배잠수부로부터 습득한 경우가 군대와 교육기관에서 습득한 경우 보다 감압병 발생률이 높았다. 후카잠수부에서 비해 헬멧잠수부의 감압병 발생률이 높았고, 스쿠버잠수부는 감압병을 경험하지 않았다. 작업수심이 깊을수록, 작업횟수가 많을수록 감압병의 발생률이 증가하였다. 급상승의 경험이 있는 군이 없는 군에 비하여 감압병 발생률이 높았다. 일일 평균 40m이상 수심에서 5회 이상 반복잠수를 하는 잠수부가 22.7%, 40m이상의 수심에서 60분 이상 작업하는 잠수부가 6.1%, 5회 이상 반복잠수를 하면서 60분 이상 작업하는 잠수부가 29.1%였다. 작업 횟수가 5회 이상인 군의 감압병 발생률이 4회 이하인 군에 비해 유의하게 높았다. 많은 수의 잠수부가 잠수관련질환에 이환되고 있으며, 감압규정이 무시되고 있는 잠수부의 근무여건을 고려하면 잠수관련질환은 앞으로도 지속적으로 발생할 것으로 예상되므로 2차예방에 보다 많은 관심이 필요하며 잠수관련질환의 발생과 유병에 관한 지속적인 연구, 정기적인 건강진단제도, 잠수장비에 관한 규정 및 안전과 보건에 관한 교육과 훈련이 필요하다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.171-181
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• 2009

This study was carried out to evaluate a musculoskeletal symptom and the work posture of the nurses in an operating room who have worked in the present department for more than one year. The job analysis of operating room nurses for ergonomic work posture analysis is divided into 14 tasks. On the basis of that, a survey research and ergonomic work posture analysis are also carried out. Among 41 operating room nurses of a cancer center in Kyonggi province who responded to the self-administered questionnaire, 20 nurses were observed and videorecorded to apply Rapid Entire Body Assessment(REBA) to ergonomic work posture analysis from April 16, 2007 to May 18, 2007. The results of analysis are as follows. The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal symptoms was 75.6% and its prevalence rates by part of the body are these followings; lower back and leg/foot 43.9%, shoulder 36.6%, neck 34.1%, hand/wrist/ finger 22.0%, arm/elbow 14.6%. In accordance with the results of ergonomic work posture analysis, 4 tasks that have a REBA score of 8 have high-risk levels and require an immediate management. It shows there is a significant correlation with overall musculoskeletal symptoms and objective workloads that are estimated by REBA. In conclusion, the work conditions of operating room nurses should be improved. It is also necessary that inappropriate work postures and ergonomic work conditions are improved to prevent musculoskeletal disorders of operating room nurses.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.95-101
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• 2013

This study tried to develop a basis for quantitative index of working postures associated with WMSDs(Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders) that could overcome realistic restriction during application of typical checklists for WMSDs evaluation. The baseline data for this study was obtained from automobile manufacturing company(A total of 603 jobs were observed). Specifically, data for shoulder postures was analyzed to have a better and more objective method in terms of job relevance than typical methods such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA. Major statistical tools were Clustering, Logistic regression and so on. The main results in this study could be summarized as follows; 1) The relationships between working postures and WMSDs symptoms at shoulder were statistically significant based on the results from logistic regression. 2) Based on clustering analysis, three levels for WMSDs risk at shoulder were produced for both flexion and abduction were statistically significant. Specific results were as follows; Shoulder flexion: low risk(< $37.7^{\circ}$), medium risk($37.7^{\circ}{\sim}70.0^{\circ}$), high risk(> $70.0^{\circ}$) Shoulder abduction: low risk(< $26.5^{\circ}$), medium risk($26.5^{\circ}{\sim}56.8^{\circ}$), high risk(> $56.8^{\circ}$). 3) The sensitivities on risk levels of shoulder flexion and abduction were 64.0% and 20.6% respectively while the specificities on risk levels of shoulder flexion and abduction were 99.1% and 99.3% respectively. The results showed that the data associated with shoulder postures in this study could provide a good basis for job evaluation of WMSDs at shoulder. Specifically, this evaluation methodology was different from the methods usually used at WMSDs study since it tried to be based on direct job relevance from real working situation. Further evaluation for other body parts as well as shoulder would provide more stability and reliability in WMSDs evaluation study.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.465-471
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• 2010

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have been the most common health problem covered by worker's accident compensation insurance for several years in Korea. Korean government has strengthened related regulations since 2003. People looked forward to decreasing the incidence and prevalence of WMSDs. At first, the expectation could be realized. However, we were bumped against to limit at present. The authors think it is due to the negligence of psychosocial factors for WMSDs. Many researchers reported that the various psychosocial factors were associated with WMSDs or symptoms. Job demand, social support, job satisfaction and decision latitude are the major risk factors in job stress aspect. Work pressure, lack of rest, qualified workload, workload variability and monotonous job are the significant risk factors in work context of work organization. Employment flexibility, downsizing, lean production, contingent work and pay for by the piece are also the risk factors in an organizational context. Furthermore, these risk factors are associated with each other across different dimensions of work organization. Suggestive possible pathways between these risks and WMSDs have been taken note of increasing muscle strain or ergonomic stress and of a cognitive aspect. The authors suggest these risk factors could explain the limitation of the regulation system for WMSDs. In conclusion, the strategy to manage psychosocial factors is the one of the essential approach to prevent WMSDs.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

It has been very important to have an exact evaluation for risk factors in order to prevent WMSDs(Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders). However, most WMSDs evaluation methods have always been some problems of possibilities associated with subjective evaluation. Therefore, this study tried to conduct a sort of usability analysis on three major evaluation methods(OWAS, RULA, REBA). Specifically, major subjects in the study consisted of three parts as follows; comparison of the results between experienced and inexperienced observers, analysis for the consistency of the results in terms of different evaluation times, and analysis for the consistency of the results in terms of different job characteristics(based on the part of the automobile). The results of the study were summarized as follows; 1) There was statistically significant difference of the results by RULA and by REBA between experienced and inexperienced observers. This might be due to the fact that experienced observers have had better ability to detect the important working posture during evaluation. However, the results by OWAS did not give any significantly different results between experienced and inexperienced observers, 2) All three checklists applied by experienced subjects did not show any single result significantly different in terms of different evaluation times. This might have to do with high intra-observer reliability from some of previous studies, 3) The five parts of an automobile were selected as five major jobs with different job characteristics in the automobile industry. Specifically, they were door part, front part(hood, etc.), inside part(dash board, seats, etc.), rear part(trunk etc.), and bottom part. All three methods did not show any significant differences for the results from each observers. Further study on this subject would eventually provide a sophisticated evaluating guidelines for WMSDs regarding determination of observer-specific evaluation, identification of repetitive number of evaluations for stable results for each checklist, determination of job-specific evaluation methods, and so on.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.133-141
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• 2015

This study tried to identify the problems associated with the posture to be analyzed and tried to suggest guidelines for MSDs(Musculoskeletal Disorders) evaluation based on working posture. A total of 50 jobs from 3 different types of industries(electronics, hospitals, automobiles) were used for MSDs evaluation study which was done by 6 observers. Two indexes were applied to identify the problem in this study which were percentage of agreement and counter-time-error rate. Specifically, 'counter-time-error rate' represented a degree of consistency in terms of selecting the posture to be analyzed time after time. Main results of the study were as follows; 1) The average percentage of agreement for representative posture for whole body was relatively higher than that for representative postures for individual body parts, 2) The counter-time-error rate(%) has been reduced as the evaluation process has repeated for the same job. 3) The counter-time-error rate(%) for electronics, hospitals, and automobiles were 63.4%, 61.2%, and 67.3% respectively. 4) The counter-time-error rate(%) for the job with the work cycle of 0.5 to 2 minutes were lower than that of the jobs with the work cycles less than 0.5 minute or greater than 2 minute. 5) The work cycles and the number of trials had significant effects on counter-time-error rate while the types of industries did not have significant effects on counter-time-error rate. Some guidelines could be prepared from the results of the study. Probably, there should have an extension in terms of form and matter for this study in order to have more practical output.