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

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.69-77
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to estimate the energy expenditure of working in a clean room for manufacturing embedded needles by ergonomic programs. Embedding needle is one of medical devices and it should be manufactured in a clean room. 3D static strength prediction program was used to analyze the slow movements during embedding needle manufacturing in a clean room. Also the energy expenditure prediction program was used to estimate energy expenditure rates for materials handling tasks to help assure worker safety and health in clean room. The energy expenditures of the tasks were calculated using prediction equations derived from empirical data. The energy expenditure rate of 3.09 kcal/min in a clean room didn't exceed the 3.5 kcal/min action limit guideline for an average 8-hour day set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Energy consumption was calculated on the same working conditions as EEPP program, using an average body weight of female 20 years old to 59 years who would be the candidates of the real workers.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2005

Ergonomic intervention techniques were adopted to assess and control potential risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) in the automated light assembly manufacturing system. Ten different kinds of assembly workstations implemented with a conveyor system and twelve female workers were observed and evaluated with careful video film analysis. Several close examinations using sets of checklists established by qualified safety and health organizations, such as NIOSH, OSHA, and ANSI, were conducted and every workers and staffs in the site participated in the self-report questionnaires and off-line interviews. Typical risk factors and symptoms of the upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders were found and categorized into specific parts of body. To reduce risk factors of WMSDs and improve system productivity new revised workstation standards, physical dimensions, were suggested accordant with anthropometric characteristics of workers and a heuristic decision strategy of rotating shift work schedules according to work contents has proposed to mitigate cumulative physical stress. Finally, ergonomic programs of entire company to prevent WMSDs were structured.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.79-83
• /
• 2005

Efforts to identify jobs or tasks having known risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorder can provide the groundwork for changes aimed at risk reduction. An effective identification method is the ergonomic job hazard analysis which breaks a job into its various elements or actions, describes them, measures and quantifies the ergonomics risk factors. Some analytical methods including OWAS, RULA, REBA, and NLE have been used as tools in quantifying the risk factors. But these traditional methods using worksheet or paper are difficult to explain to participants for performing the job hazard analysis in the field, and take a long time. We develop some software tools to implement the analytical methods using EXCEL programs or computer program. These tools developed in this study are faster and easier to perform the ergonomic job analysis than the traditional methods using worksheet.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.289-297
• /
• 1997

Work-related low back pain(below LBP) is one of the major cause of morbidity, disability, limitation of activity and economic loss. Therefore the work-related LBP is one of the major issue in the field of industrial safety and health. This study was performed for detecting the risk factors and proposing the effective control programs of work-related LBP. The subjects were male workers employed at the welding and metal factory. The data was collected by self-reported questionnaire, interview and checking abdomen muscular and grasping power for two days on October, 1993. The contents of questionnaire were as follow: the experience of LBP, general characteristics, physical characteristics, employment status, type of work and working environment. The number of cases was 104 with a history of work-related LBP, so the prevalence of work-related LBP was 35.0%, and the number of controls was 140 without any history of LBP. As a result, marital status, educational level, abdomen muscular power, tenure, category of job, satisfaction of job, working posture, satisfaction for table and chair and lifting materials showed a statistical significance between the case and control groups. 284 Lifting jobs were quantified by NIOSH lifting equation method and ergonomic computer modelling methods. There were no significant differences in the action limit and disc compression force between group with LBP and without LBP. But in the lifting frequency and cumulative disc compression force there were significant differences. Therefore work-related LBP should be prevented by the ergonomic and environmental control.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.549-561
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Work-related stress and risk factors among Korean employees were identified in this study. Methods: Data were obtained from employees aged 20 to 64 using the Korean Working Conditions Survey 2006 (KWCS). Multiple logistic regression analysis using SAS version 9.1 was performed to examine risk factors of work-related stress by gender. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of work-related stress among male and female employees was 18.4% and 15.1% respectively. After adjustments for multiple variables among both male and female employees, there was a significant relationship between work-related stress and risk factors including education, company size, work time, ergonomic risks, biological chemical risks, and job demands. The significant variables for male employees were housework load, occupational class, and shift work, and for female employees, type of employment. Conclusion: There is a need to develop and support intensive stress management programs nationally giving consideration to work-related stress associated with working time, physical working environment, and job demands. Based on gender specific approaches, for male employes, stress management programs should be developed with consideration being given to occupational class and shift work. For stress management programs for female employees, consideration needs to be given to permanent employment status, specifically those in small companies.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2007

The purposes of this research are to survey work-related risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) in various departments and tasks at general hospitals in non-manufacturing sectors, and to use basic data derived from the survey results in preventing work-related MSDs in hospital workers. Investigation started in March of 2006 and continued for 6 months in 220 general hospitals at Seoul, Incheon, Kyeongi, and Kangwon area. Investigators visited and interviewed workers in hospitals to identify the presence of tasks of musculoskeletal burden, the investigation results of ergonomic risk factors required by the Occupational Safety and Health Law, statistical analysis from questionnaire for musculoskeletal symptoms, and major departments and tasks that have such risk factors. Twenty-seven percents of hospitals finished the investigation of ergonomic risk factors, and 69% did not do the investigation while remained 4% did not have such factors in their hospitals. The rank order of major departments that had such musculoskeletal burdens was kitchen rooms of 143, managing departments/computer rooms/dispensaries of 137, physical treatment rooms of 109, nursing departments of 96, radiological and clinical laboratories of 63. Eighteen hospitals that did not hold legal duties by the section 148 of labor minister decree practiced prevention programs of MSDs according to the labor-management cooperation. Nursing departments ranked in the first place for the numbers of musculoskeletal symptoms of 438. Managing departments/computer rooms/dispensaries, kitchen rooms, and medical treatment departments held 127, 52 and 45 symptoms, respectively. The magnitude order of physical symptom areas followed shoulder of 185, backs and waist of 166, hand wrists of 120, necks of 110, and legs/feet of 106. The departments and jobs that had major work-related ergonomic risks were patient transporting, central supplying, patient nursing (moving patients into wheel-chairs, changing of patient posture and sheet alteration), manual transporting, operation, and managing/computer departments.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.90-97
• /
• 2024

Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain and functional limitation due to the impingement of subacromial structures. This comprehensive review elucidates the complex nature of SIS, covering its pathophysiology, diagnostic methodologies, treatment options, and preventive measures. Through an exhaustive examination of current literature and clinical practices, the review highlights the importance of a multifaceted approach to SIS management. Physical therapy plays a pivotal role, focusing on exercises to strengthen shoulder musculature, enhance scapular stability, and improve range of motion. The review also discusses the strategic use of medications such as NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections, emphasizing their effectiveness in pain and inflammation management. Additionally, it advocates for structured rehabilitation programs post-treatment to restore function and prevent recurrence, recommending preventive strategies like ergonomic adjustments, targeted exercises, and proper technique training. This paper underscores the need for personalized and evidence-based treatment strategies, integrating physical therapy and pharmacological management when necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an active tailored exercise program on pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) among workers with musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower back in an automobile parts manufacturing company. METHODS: Twenty-two workers with musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower back were included in the study. The experimental group was composed of 15 workers and a control group of seven workers. The experimental group was provided an active tailored exercise program and education on the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders. The control group was only provided ergonomic education. The exercise program, which consisted of movement pattern correction, muscle stretching and strengthening, and postural correction exercises, was applied twice a week for two months for one hour a day. Pain, which was determined using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the ODI were measured before and after exercise. RESULTS: After applying the exercise program for two months, the VAS and ODI of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<.05). In the experimental group, the VAS decreased significantly after one month (p<0.05), and the ODI decreased significantly after two months (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Because active tailored exercise programs are effective in improving the pain and disability indices, it is necessary to actively implement such programs among manufacturing workers with musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower back.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.34
• /
• pp.29.1-29.14
• /
• 2022

Background: Hotel housekeepers are one of the most important occupational group within tourism hotel sector; various health problems related to their job have been described, above all musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences and perceptions of hotel housekeepers and key informants from the Balearic Islands (Spain) regarding occupational health conditions and the strategies employed to mitigate them. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out. Six focus groups with hotel housekeepers and 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted. Next, we carried out a content analysis. Results: Hotel housekeepers reported musculoskeletal disorders, anxiety and stress as main occupational health problems; health professionals underscored the physical problems. Hotel housekeepers perceived that their work (physically demanding and with repetitive movements) caused their health conditions. To solve health issues, they used medication (anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, sedatives and anxiolytics), which allowed them to continue working; health public services, generally rated as satisfactory; individual protective equipment; ergonomics (with difficulties due to high work pace and hotel facilities) and physical activity. Two contrasting attitudes were identified regarding sick leave: HHs who refused to accept a doctor-prescribed sick leave (due to fear of being fired, sense of responsibility, ...), and those who accepted it (because they could not continue working, they prioritised health before work). Conclusions: Our results might contribute to plan improvement strategies and programs to address health problems among hotel housekeepers. These programs should include interventions, such as coping strategies for the work-related risk factors (i.e., stress) and strategies to reduce medicine consumption. Additionally, hotel facilities should adopt policies focused on making workplaces more ergonomic (i.e., furniture) and to diminish the work pace.