• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.149-156
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• 2017

In this paper, we propose to enhance a Physical working conditions to decrease absence from work. we demonstrated the correlation of worker's absence with various environmental factors in workplace by surveying 6,962 workers. As result, first, concerning exposure to physical work factors, most of them complained of vibration, and concerning exposure to improper working posture, most of them complained of repetitive arm and hand motions. Second, the absence experience had correlations with age, monthly income, smoking, number of employees, long term working, and shift work, and of the physical factors, hand vibration, noise, high temperature, low temperature and improper working posture had correlations with physical pain posture, movement of people and carrying heavy materials. Third, experience of exposure to hand vibration, noise and low temperature of the physical factors had impact on absence, and of the improper working posture, physical pain posture and carrying heavy stuff had impacts on absence. Through this study, it was found that of the work factors of Korean workers, physical factors and improper working posture had impacts on absence. The results of this study confirmed that physical factors and inappropriate working posture among work factors influenced the absenteeism. Therefore, it is required to improve the work environment regarding physical risk factors and prepare a systematic management plan.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.14 no.4 s.51
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• pp.54-61
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to examine the physical factors of work environment and to establish the evaluation factors for office design for wheelchair users. This study is based on the existing research for office environmental factors; and then clarifies the physical factors that are suitable for circumstances of wheelchair users. These factors are composed three physical factors which are space, furniture arrangement, and ambient condition and then each of these factors has detailed several elements. Futhermore, comparing physical factors between a non-wheelchair user and a wheelchair user with work environment is analyzed on the assumption using the system furniture on the market. This study is expected to be used as basic information to provide the way of improving office space plan for wheelchair user in workplace. This resource can serve as a checklist when renovating, re-designing or building a new office space for wheelchair users. The evaluation of office environmental factors for wheelchair users who work in public and/or private companies is needed for the next research.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.124-133
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a model describing the interaction between lifestyle, job, and postural factors and parts of the upper extremities in shipyard workers. Methods: A questionnaire survey was given to 2,140 workers at a shipyard in Ulsan City. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the subjects' general characteristics, lifestyle, tenure, physical burden, job control, posture and musculoskeletal symptoms. The overall relationship between variables was analyzed by a structural equation model (SEM). Results: The positive rate of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms increased in employees who worked longer hours, had severe physical burden, and did not have any control over their job. Work with a more frequent unstable posture and for longer hours was also associated with an increased positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that unstable posture and physical burden were closely related to the positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms after controlling for age, smoking, drinking, exercise, tenure, and job control. In SEM analysis, work-related musculoskeletal disease was influenced directly and indirectly by physical and job stress factors, lifestyle, age, and tenure (p < 0.05). The strongest correlations were found between physical factors and work-related musculoskeletal disease. Conclusion: The model in this study provides a better approximation of the complexity of the actual relationship between risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Among the variables evaluated in this study, physical factors (work posture) had the strongest association with musculoskeletal disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.136-147
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate work-related risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in various departments and tasks at an oriental medicine hospital. Methods: 269 hospital workers were selected for the study. The questionnaire survey included general characteristics, work-related characteristics and MSDs. Cross-tabulation analysis, multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age, work time, job demand and workload, were used to evaluate the effects of work-related factors on MSDs. Results: There were differences in MSDs depending on gender, age, occupation, and work-related factors. Prevalence rates of MSDs were 23.79% shoulder, 14.13% back, 10.41% neck. Risk factors for MSDs was packaging of drugs, transfer, and exercise therapy of physical therapist. Shoulder pain was significantly influenced by using power tools, over-reaching, and job demand while back pain was significantly influenced by weight-lifting operations and keyboard typing. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that consideration of MSDs characteristics of workers in oriental medicine hospital is necessary to change unsuitable work environments and educate on preventing MSDs.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 2010

Objectives: This study aimed to find gender distinctions in terms of the sociology of the population; to determine work-related factors; to analyze gender differences in daily living, work, sports, and art performances; and to identify gender-related factors that limited performance of daily living and work activities. Methods: A questionnaire was designed that included disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH), accident history, disease history, work duration at current workplace, marital status, job satisfaction, job autonomy, and physical demands of the job. Out of 1,853 workers surveyed, 1,173 questionnaires (63.3%; 987 males, 186 females) included responses to DASH disability and DASH optional work and were judged acceptable for analysis. Results: Upper extremity functional limitation during work and daily living was higher for females than males. The limitations for males increased according to their household work time, accident history, work duration, job satisfaction, physical demand, and job autonomy. Meanwhile, female workers' upper extremity discomfort was influenced by their disease history, job satisfaction, and physical demands. In addition, the size of the company affected male workers' upper extremity function, while marriage and hobbies influenced that of female workers. Conclusion: This study addressed sociodemographic factors and work-related factors that affect each gender's upper extremity function during daily living and working activities. Each factor had a different influence. Further studies are needed to identify the effect that role changes, not being influenced by risks at work, have on musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.453-466
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the general characteristics of dental technicians and their health behaviors and to analyze the related factors of their work stress and physical symptoms. Methods: The survey used structured self administered questionnaires for a survey targeting 741 members registered of the Dental Technician Association in Daegu Metropolitan City from September to October, 2009. Total of 518 replies and analyzed 490 questionnaire excluding 28 incomplete questionnaires. Results: The work stresses were higher in those who answered that they were under 30-years old, unmarried, lower in rank, or had longer work hours, lower monthly incomes or poor self-perceived health status. In addition, those who worked in a dental laboratory with poor work environment including insufficient ventilation, sand blaster with no powder collecting functions, etc., tended to experience higher work stress than others due to their work conditions. The total average of the respondents of the survey who answered that they suffered from some physical symptoms was 14.7 points. It was found that the factors affecting the score of physical symptoms include occupational features such as work hours, monthly income, etc., and physical work environment such as the presence or absence of ventilator, of dust-collectors within sand blaster, etc., and work stress, exerted significant influence. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study indicates that to lessen work stress and to ultimately alleviate physical symptoms, it is necessary to do the following: improve work environment of young unmarried women; adjust their daily working hours; ameliorate physical work environment. To improve overall physical symptoms, it is importance to establish a safe and healthy working environment.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to examine the working condition of physical therapists and the degree of job satisfaction. This study also was to identify the causes of job stress: to examine job stress and job satisfaction; and to find factors that affect job satisfaction for physical therapists in Korea. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from February 17 to March 15 in 2003. Survey data was obtained from 255 therapists registered in Korean Physical-Therapists Association. Results were as follows: 1. The degree of job satisfaction was moderate. 2. The degree of stress with their work was a little high. 3. Duty itself is one of the main factors of job stress of physical therapists. Working atmosphere and the relationships with job colleagues turned to be closely related to the degree of satisfaction. 4. The longer their total term of service was and the older they are, the greater the satisfaction with work was. In conclusion, the physical therapists can be encouraged to do their work more energetically and voluntarily. At the same time, the feeling of mission can also grow by shortening of working hours, reducing the quantity of work, and offering more salary. It is also to recommend an effective performance of duty and the development of their medical service to be introduced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.162-172
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• 2021

This study was conducted to determine whether the layout of wheelhouse and work environment of coastal improved stow net fishing boats affect the physical abnormalities of wheelhouse workers through a survey and to use it as basic data to improve the wheelhouse work environment. The analysis results are as follows. The result of factor analysis on the wheelhouse work environment was classified into three factors: suitability of work environment, suitability of work space arrangement, and layout of navigational and fishing equipment. The result of factor analysis on physical abnormalities was divided into two factors: physical pain and fatigue. The results of regression model analysis showing factors affecting physical pain showed that the t-value in the regression model was 3.625 (p < 0.05), indicating that the work environment suitability had an effect on the physical pain. Work environment suitability had a significantly positive effect on the physical pain. As work environment suitability increased by 1, the physical pain increased by 0.371 (p < 0.05). The results of regression model analysis showing the influencing factors on fatigue were found to have a t-value of 3.009 (p < 0.05) in the regression model, indicating that the work environment suitability had a significantly positive effect on the feeling of fatigue. It was found that fatigue increased by 0.324 (p < 0.05) as the work environment suitability increased by 1. In addition, the manageability of task suitability was found to be t = -2.521 (p > 0.05). As the manageability of task suitability increased, the skipper's fatigue level decreased. From these results, it is inferred that the wheelhouse of the current coastal improved stow net fishing boats causes physical pain and fatigue for the skippers. In order to reduce such physical pain and fatigue, and to improve safe fishing operation and job satisfaction, it is necessary to provide a wheelhouse to fishermen on coastal improved stow net fishing boats in consideration of the characteristics of the wheelhouse work of fishing boats and in consideration of users.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.192-199
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• 2015

Background: Overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular disease risk factors are prevalent among firefighters in some developed countries. It is unclear whether physical activity and cardiopulmonary fitness reduce cardiovascular disease risk and the cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters. The present study investigated the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, cardiopulmonary fitness, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and cardiovascular workload at work in firefighters in Hong Kong. Methods: Male firefighters (n = 387) were randomly selected from serving firefighters in Hong Kong (n = 5,370) for the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, known cardiovascular diseases). One-third (Target Group) were randomly selected for the assessment of off-duty leisure-time physical activity using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed, as well as cardiovascular workload using heart rate monitoring for each firefighter for four "normal" 24-hour working shifts and during real-situation simulated scenarios. Results: Overall, 33.9% of the firefighters had at least two cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the Target Group, firefighters who had higher leisure-time physical activity had a lower resting heart rate and a lower average working heart rate, and spent a smaller proportion of time working at a moderate-intensity cardiovascular workload. Firefighters who had moderate aerobic fitness and high leisure-time physical activity had a lower peak working heart rate during the mountain rescue scenario compared with firefighters who had low leisure-time physical activities. Conclusion: Leisure-time physical activity conferred significant benefits during job tasks of moderate cardiovascular workload in firefighters in Hong Kong.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Korean workers' work ability and to identify its contributing factors. Background: In order for Korea to overcome the phenomena of becoming an aged society, older adults must participate in the workforce to balance out the population; workers' work ability must also be maintained. In addition, influential factors in employees' capabilities and degrees of importance thereof should be identified in advance to maintain work ability. Method: The Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire was completed by 5,708 Korean workers. Survey questionnaire consisted items of current work ability, physical and mental demands of the job, numbers of diseases, work impairment due to diseases, sick leaves, work ability in 2 years and mental resources. Results: Results indicated that work ability and length of service increased with age. It was also found that employees in administrative positions had greater work ability than site workers, workers directly managed by a supervisor had greater work ability than workers in cooperative firms, and workers who performed intellectual tasks had greater work ability than workers who performed physical labor. Job stress was additionally observed to contribute towards overall work ability. And musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were found to negatively affect work ability. Conclusion: The strongest determining factors in the work ability of Korean workers were stress level and mental state. Therefore, when the WAI is used to assess Korean workers, the weighting of WAI items pertaining to physical and mental abilities should be adjusted accordingly to account for these factors. Application: The result is expected to suggest that workers maintain work ability in an aged society.