• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.891-899
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• 2010

Since the working machine generates an excessive loud noise as much as its use-purpose and dimension, those damages are occurring to the exposed workers such as unpleasant sense, stress and occupational hearing-impaired. Accordingly, as one of the measures for prevention such loud noise, various soundproof protection tools were developed. However, such soundproof protection tools were presented the physical measured value only, it is real state that the psychological study result with regard to the soundproof effect which the workers are actually feeling, is not existing. On such point of view, with the object on the typical earplugs and earcaps among the soundproof protection tools, this study has ever tried a subjective evaluation about the degree of soundproof effect through Psycho-acoustics experiment. It is considering that such study result could be utilized as the useful material when establishing the soundproof measure for the workers in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2020

Construction is a typical labor-dependent industry. However, problems related to wage payment, which directly affects the livelihood of workers, have caused other problems in maintaining skilled workers, such as increasing the turnover rate of skilled workers, resulting in a shortage of skilled workers. Against this backdrop, this study was conducted to develop measures to improve the conventional wage payment systems in order to prevent skilled workers from leaving their jobs and to maintain them as workers. It is necessary to make the registration of non-registered small-sized construction companies in Korea mandatory, and to introduce means by which construction companies that hire workers through non-registered agents can be penalized. In addition, the project bank account (PBA) system used in the domestic banking sector can be benchmarked in operating payment systems, an approach that is expected to effectively prevent delayed wage payments in the construction industry.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.476-481
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• 2019

Background: Mystery shopping is a method in which a company monitors quality of service and employee conduct and compliance with regulations using an evaluator posing as a customer. It is a typical tool of customer-centered bureaucratic control insofar as it provides overall and standardized evaluation of intangible elements of customer service as well as physical elements of service environments. The purpose of this study is to examine how mystery shopping is related to the health status of service workers in South Korea. Methods: Data from semistructured interviews with 15 workers were collected from January to April 2019 to obtain information on service worker experiences with mystery shopping. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Results: Mystery shopping limits worker autonomy and stiffens the workplace environment by standardizing and monitoring labor processes for service workers. In addition, mystery shopping heightens work stress through increased labor intensity. Five mechanisms by which mystery shopping affects service worker health are identified and comprise (1) multifaceted and multilayered surveillance, (2) evaluator subjectivity and irrational requirements, (3) standardized rules combined with high pressure to achieve sales, (4) self-esteem degradation because of evaluator results, and (5) musculoskeletal disorders because of strict adherence to labor processes based on evaluator results. Conclusion: Mystery shopping as an evaluation method should be reconsidered not only in terms of health problems but also in terms of organizational efficiency and issues of human rights.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.364-370
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• 2017

Background: Labeled noise reduction (NR) data presented by manufacturers are considered one of the main challenging issues for occupational experts in employing hearing protection devices (HPDs). This study aimed to determine the actual NR data of typical HPDs using the objective fit testing method with a microphone in real ear (MIRE) method. Methods: Five available commercially earmuff protectors were investigated in 30 workers exposed to reference noise source according to the standard method, ISO 11904-1. Personal attenuation rating (PAR) of the earmuffs was measured based on the MIRE method using a noise dosimeter (SVANTEK, model SV102). Results: The results showed that means of PAR of the earmuffs are from 49% to 86% of the nominal NR rating. The PAR values of earmuffs when a typical eyewear was worn differed statistically (p < 0.05). It is revealed that a typical safety eyewear can reduce the mean of the PAR value by approximately 2.5 dB. The results also showed that measurements based on the MIRE method resulted in low variability. The variability in NR values between individuals, within individuals, and within earmuffs was not the statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study could provide local individual fit data. Ergonomic aspects of the earmuffs and different levels of users experience and awareness can be considered the main factors affecting individual fitting compared with the laboratory condition for acquiring the labeled NR data. Based on the obtained fit testing results, the field application of MIRE can be employed for complementary studies in real workstations while workers perform their regular work duties.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.264-275
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• 2006

MSDs(Musculoskeletal Disorders) and Job Stress have been recognized as one of major problems in industry these days according to the results of most industrial health/safety studies. Specifically, MSDs have been growing problems in Korea as well as in US and European countries with higher incidence rate every year. This study tries to understand characteristics of job stress and association between MSDs and job stress for the workers at automobile manufacturing industry. This study also tries to understand the differences in terms of job stress between white collar and blue collar workers. The results showed that there was definite association between symptoms of MSDs and some of major job stress factors. However, there were big differences in terms of associations between two groups(white collar and blue collar workers). The first group(white collar workers) showed more associations between symptoms of MSDs and some of major job stress factors than that of the second group(blue collar workers) although symptom rate of the second group was higher than that of the first group. It could be concluded that symptoms of the first group had more effects from job stress while symptoms of the second group had more effects from typical job risk factors based on the results of the study.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.389-395
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• 2016

Objectives: Acute methanol poisonings known to be typical occupational diseases occurring in developing countries broke out in sub-contract manufacturers in the early 2016. The present paper attempted to identify underlying causes which hide under apparent findings, and suggest alternative policies to prevent recurrence of similar intoxication Methods: We evaluated occupational health and safety characteristics of workers in micro-enterprises similar to workplaces with methanol poisoning by in depth-interview of employers, workers, and labor inspectors, and literature review. Results: The common findings of workplaces with methanol poisoning were addressed; First, the victims were illegal agency workers. Second, the workplaces were sub-contract micro-manufacturers with less than 5 employees. Investigators found that local ventilations did not work, while most of workers did not wear any proper personal respiratory protective equipment in the workplace. In addition, periodic environmental monitoring and medical check-ups were not done. However, these apparent findings do not appear to be root causes of methanol poisoning. Our in depth-analysis clarified a root cause; micro-enterprises with less than 5 employees are exempted with essential regulations of OSH Act, and employers do not know about OSH Act. Conclusions: We suggest occupational health policies to prevent recurrence of similar intoxication; First, government should introduce programs so that all employers should know about employers' responsibilities in OSH Act from the start of business. Second, even manufacturers with less than 5 employees should not be exempted with essential regulations of OSH Act. Finally, employers should take responsibilities for health and safety of all the workers including agency workers working in workplaces.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.1 s.37
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• pp.26-33
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• 1992

The carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes. The typical symptoms are pain, numbness and paresthesia in the median nerve territory of the hand. Recently, it is widely recognized that occupational factor is regarded as the important cause of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical study is performed in the 42 female workers who is repetitively working at packing department in a rayon manufacturing factory from November 1991 till March 1992. The study included a questionnaire, physical examinations, and the neurophysiological test. The summary of the results obtained was as follows : 1. Among 42 packing workers, 9 workers(21.4%) were diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome by electromyography. The affected side was bilateral in 4 workers(9.5%), right in 4 workers(9.5%), and left in one worker(2.4%). 2. Among 42 subjects, 28 workers(66.7%) complained the clinical symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome, 11 workers(26.2%) showed positive Phalen sign, and 7 workers(16.7%) showed positive Tinel sign. 3. Researchers regard electromyographic finding as the gold standard for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The sensitivity and specificity of the clinical symptoms to diagnose the carpal tunnel syndrome were 0.89, 0.39 respectively. If the carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed by the combination of the positive findings of the symptoms and the physical examinations, either Tinel or Phalen sign, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.67 and 0.76 respectively. Considering above results, though this small number of workers is not adequate for epidemiologic conclusions, carpal tunnel syndrome seems to be an important occupational disorder among packing workers in a rayon manufacturing factory.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2005

This paper describes a practical ergonomic approach for the shipbuilding industry that occupies the highest rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in Korea. Typical work processes within a shipbuilding operation were surveyed to determine the presence of risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. We used interviews, document analysis, video analysis, and OWAS postural analysis to identify and quantify ergonomic risk factors that workers may be exposed to in the course of their normal work duties. Some ergonomics actions were performed to solve the problems identified in the risk factor analysis. The practical ergonomic approach has resulted in decreases in workers' accident, and increases in productivity. The ergonomic solutions developed in this study could be applied to other sectors of industry that share common features of work with shipbuilding industry.

• IE interfaces
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1992

This paper deals with analysis of material handling system efficiency of a heat-exchanger manufacturing line. This line is a typical flow shop type assembly line which consists of 10 steps of assembly stations. Each station have one or two workers who assemble and move components for the job, and no special transporters for component's movement. Therfore, all the workers are involoved in unnecessary moving activities which decrease overall production efficiencies of the line. To improve productivities, production outputs and worker's job performances for this assembly line, the several alternatives are considered such as installing new conveyor lines and automatic guided vehicle(AGV) system. Analyzing economic feasibilities and responses of the system alternatives, an experimental simulation model is built suing SIMAN Ver. 3. 5 simulation language with CINEMA package for animation of the process flow. Through this animation process a vivid picturial analysis could performed on the process flow.

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