• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.9
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• pp.249-258
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors influencing the musculoskeletal discomfort and the physical region related symptoms. The outcome of the study uses KOSHA Code H-30-2003 which defines possible symptoms into different categories. Symptom I, ll showing the highest occurrence rate in shoulder and neck regions and most of Symptom III, IV come from back region. Analysis of the factors influencing the musculoskeletal discomfort vary in different parts of the body. In the neck region, the discomfort related to rest and the computer keyboard. Gender affects the magnitude of pain in the shoulder region. Wrist pain is related to the chairs being used and back discomfort is influenced by shoulder exercise and the degree of rest taken. Physical fatigue due to work affects all the regions mentioned above. Conclusively, office workers are prone to the musculoskeletal discomfort due to their work environment. To alleviate this problem, the workers need to be educated with proper long-term musculoskeletal related health programs and exercise program containing various stretching methods. In addition, the effort to improve the variables in this study would help to reduce the rate of musculoskeletal discomfort.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.435-444
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• 2010

To identify and evaluate the risk factors in WMSD work, a number of ergonomic workload evaluation methods have been developed. In the legal examination of WMSD risk factors, simple observational workload evaluation methods are widely used instead of using costly measurement equipments such as EMG and motion analyzer. The simple workload evaluation methods can be categorized into three groups; risk factor checklist methods, posture observation methods, and manual material handling task evaluation methods. In terms of the categories, this survey summarized several representative workload evaluation methods and compared them each other. Then some industrial application cases referring each the workload evaluation methods were surveyed. Due to the characteristics of each method, the selection and application procedure of workload evaluation method should be appropriate for the corresponding work. Therefore, some guidelines for the selection and application procedure of workload evaluation method were suggested.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.81-88
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• 2014

This study identified the complaint ratio of musculoskeletal symptom by 119 EMTs and investigated the work risk extent through ergonomics evaluation about the patient transport works, which cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) to 119 EMTs. For this, the complaint ratio of musculoskeletal symptom utilized questionnaire tool based on KOSHA Code H-30-2008 and the risk extent about the patient transport work evaluated by using ergonomics evaluation tools such as OWAS, RULA and REBA. According to the study result, 60.9% of 119 EMTs experienced musculoskeletal symptom. Among them, the symptom on back was the most common (36.1%). The work, which mostly causes WMSDs, has been found as patient transport work (48.4%). Among the patient transport motion, loading/unloading of ambulance cot to/from ambulance and the lifting of patient by stretcher were OWAS risk-level 3 and RULA/REBA risk-level 3 to 4. Among the patient transport environment, carrying patient on stairway using emergency mini-stretcher, moving patient in vehicle using spine board and piggy-back carrying or cradle carrying patient on stairway or slope way were OWAS, RULA, REBA risk level 3 to 4. It is suggested that immediate improvement in work postures for these works should contribute to prevention against WMSDs to 119 EMTs.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.861-877
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to survey job stress and Musculoskeletal Disorder(MSDs) of workers in small plants with agricultural products. The subjects were comprised of 69 workers participated in "Helping the rural women to get the small businesses" project. The questionnaire surveys were Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS), and Legal Risk Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders(KOSHA CODE H-30-2003). As a result of the survey, scores of KOSS 8 sub-items except for job demand were similar to that of Korea workers. Prevalence of MSDs symptoms of small plants workers was high percent (44.9%). And the rate according to kinds of product was significant difference at neck (p<0.01), lumbar (p<0.01), and leg (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between view person sign of MSDs and non MSDs according to sex, year, the number of workers, working years, working time per one day, rest time per one day, and subjective working intensity, but there were significant difference between high stress group and low stress group about MSDs at interpersonal conflict(p<0.05). Job stress and MSDs were important factor to workers of small plants producted agricultural products. Therefore, starting a business with small plats, workers consider interpersonal conflict and body part showing MSDs.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.634-642
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• 2007

Purpose: To investigate subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in women workers Method: From February to April, 2006, 292 women workers working in 16 companies were surveyed using KOSHA CODE (H-30-2003). Result: Of the workers, 84.0% had at least one musculoskeletal disorder. The mean score of the severity of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms was 7.41 out of 25. As for the prevalence rate by body part, shoulder was the most common and severe body part of musculoskeletal disorders, and significant differences were shown in neck, shoulder, and lower limb according to the type of working. The severity of married workers was significantly higher than that of unmarried ones. Significant difference was shown in the severity of disorders by the type of working and in body parts according to the type of working. Conclusion: The self-reported symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders were very frequent in women workers, but the severity of the symptoms was relatively low, suggesting the early symptoms of disorders. Specifically, given the highly frequent self-reported symptoms in the shoulder part found in married women workers, intensive prevention is recommended. Furthermore, an ergonomic aspect should be concerned to consider physical characteristics of women workers.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between job stress and work-related musculo-skeletal symptoms among nurses working in general hospitals. Method: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. The participants were 438 nurses currently working in 4 general hospitals. Data were collected from Jan 2007 to Feb 2007, with Korean Occupational Stress Scale(KOSS)-basic form, KOSHA code H-30 and a questionnaire for general characteristics. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, multiple logistic regression analyses were utilized. Result: Most participants(90.4%) complained of work-related musculo-skeletal symptoms. However, symptomatic nurses satisfying NIOSH screening criteria(symptomatic nurses) were 66.9%(293 persons). The most complained body part was back(39.5%). shoulder(37.7%), leg and foot(36.5%), wrist and hand(21.7%), neck(18.7%), and arm(9.8%). The mean of total score of occupational stress was 51.11. In multiple logistic regression analyses, age, working posture and total score of occupational stress showed significant associations with back symptoms. Exercise and total score of occupational stress were significantly related with shoulder symptoms. Hours of daily house keeping and working posture were related with leg and foot symptoms. Marital status and working posture were related with wrist and hand symptoms. Working posture only showed significant relations with neck symptom. Marital status, hours of daily house keeping, shift work, working posture, and total score of occupational stress were related with the symptoms in the arm. In conclusion, job stress of nurses might be related with work-related musculo-skeletal symptoms.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.264-273
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• 2012

This cross-sectional study was investigated musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms and related factors on some middle high school teachers. Self-questionnaire of KOSHA CODE H-30-2003 was done with 250 teachers from 1st to 15th October, 2010, the data from 231 teachers (68 male, 163 female) was statistically analyzed to search the factors related to musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms. According to NIOSH rate of musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms by body parts was 36.8%. Musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms related to age, school types, subjective health status, housekeeping time, VDT work time and regular rest. After adjusting for related variables, odds ratio (OR) of musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms was correlation significantly to subjective health status unhealthy (OR 11.75, 95% Confidence Interval, CI, 3.56-378.78). In addition, ORs (95% CI) of age (40-49) and housekeeping time (${\geq}3$) were 4.63 (1.82-26.18) and 4.33 (1.97-19.34). Analysis of the factors influencing the musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms vary in different parts of the body. The most discomfort symptoms by parts was neck (26.0%) and shoulder (30.0%). In the neck region was related to subjective health status and regular rest. In the shoulder and waist region was subjective health status and sex. Age was wrist/finger, leg/foot was related to subjective health status, sex and VDT work time. Age, school types, subjective health status, housekeeping time, VDT work time and regular rest related to musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms and the most discomfort symptoms by parts was neck and shoulder.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.239-247
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• 2008

In order to study the occurrence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders of radio-technologists employed at metropolitan general hospitals and the factors that influence such occurrence, standardized questionnaire by NIOSH that was modified and supplemented to be suitable for conditions in Korea was used. Answers collected from 143 radio-technologists in two weeks from June 13, 2007 were analyzed and the results are as follows. Factor that influence symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders by area were analyzed through multiple logistic regression analysis and the results found that in the neck area, risk increased as the burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.94) and burdening work category 9(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=4.72) increased. In the shoulder region, risk increased as burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.36), burdening work category 7(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.90), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.76) increased. In the arm/hand/wrist regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=6.91), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.76) increased. In the lower back region, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.06), and burdening work category 8 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=8.14) increased. In the leg/knees/foot regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.63), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=2.96) increased. Conclusively, in factors that influence musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in radio-technologists, influence of subjective health conditions, total work experience, experience in current division, and burdening work category 2, 7, 8, and 9 (Korea ministry of labor) were most significant. Therefore, for preventive management, in addition to ergonomic and educational intervention for correcting improper posture during work, efforts for break time adjustment and stress reduction is needed, and encouragement and support for regular exercise is needed.