• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
• /
• 1997.10a
• /
• pp.160-167
• /
• 1997

The statistics of work related Low Back Pains(LBPs) in Korea and outside the countires have erviewed. Despite improved working enviroment with increased automation in industry, the LBPs hve been gradually increased and the workers compensation of such injuries has increased drama- tically. An epidemiological study indicated tha tthe LBPs is te major cause of injury, lost time and medical costs in many industrial workplace especially, a high occurrence rate of LBPs among construction and manufacturing workers. The objective of this study is to investigate problems involved with LBPs in Korea and outside the country for identifying its possible causal factors and characteristics. This study will thus contribute as a basic reference to the industries and ergonomic practitioners for preventing and managing LBPs.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.225-232
• /
• 2007

This work intends to investigate the effects of shift characteristics on the propulsion performance of a manual wheelchair with an automatic transmission. A planetary gear train is employed to generate a two-stage shift automatically, based on the distance traveled from rest. Motion analysis has been performed for measuring kinematic properties of the arm and then the inverse dynamics has been applied for estimating joint forces/torques. Then, a parametric study has been performed to find a set of the shift ratios and the shift intervals for optimizing propulsion performance. Results show that the propulsion performance is closely related to the shift condition. It is found that a short shift interval is desirable for a short distance propulsion. However, an optimum shift interval for a long distance propulsion is inversely proportional to the shift ratio approximately. Consequently, the automatic transmission can greatly lower the joint loadings by the speed reduction, which eventually contribute to prevent joint injuries of wheelchair users.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.78-84
• /
• 2023

Background: Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians have been the unsung heroes of the pandemic. However, many are about to give up the battlefield. This study investigated the effect of occupational moral injury on physicians' career abandonment intention, taking into account the possible mediating role of emotional exhaustion. Methods: Cross-sectional data collected from 201 physicians were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS to determine the relationship among physicians' moral injuries, emotional exhaustion, and career abandonment intention. Results: The results indicated that occupational moral injury was positively related to emotional exhaustion and career abandonment intention. In addition, emotional exhaustion was found to play a mediating role in the relationship. Conclusion: To reduce physicians' intention to leave their career, physicians should be prepared for moral injury and psychological issues by offering psychological support and meeting their needs early at both the individual and organizational levels during and after the pandemic.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.125-134
• /
• 2015

Objective: In this review we discuss the health effects among office workers. Background: Even if office workers are not exposed hazardous or harmful environment frequently, some problems could be happened to the office workers. Although serious occupational diseases rarely occur to the office workers, it is important to consider occupational risk factors for the office worker because the portion of the office workers is relatively high in all industries. Method: We divided possible health effects for the office workers into three categories; musculoskeletal disorders, indoor environment, and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. We reviewed related articles, textbooks, and statistical materials non-systematically and described risk factors, related illnesses, and prevention strategies on each category. Results: Office workers have various musculoskeletal disorders to be intervened. By medical treatment, improving working environment, and ergonomic intervention, office workers can be prevented from musculoskeletal injuries. Poor indoor environment can cause many building-related illnesses or sick building syndrome. Although the etiology of some problems by poor indoor environment is not clear, it helps to maintain adequate humidity, temperature, and clarity of indoor air. Cerebro-cardiovascular diseases are a rising issue because office workers in Korea tend to work for a lot of time. To prevent the diseases, it is needed to work for adequate time, lengthen activity level, and manage other medical risk factors for the diseases. Conclusion: There is no distinct occupational disease for office workers. However, there are some aspects to consider the health effects of office workers and it is important to prevent the possible health problems. Application: A strategy against occupational diseases among office workers can be established by reviewing this article.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.503-507
• /
• 2011

Objective: This paper presents the factors influencing the effectiveness of materials handling equipments in agriculture. Background: Agriculture is one of the job categories where work-related musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) are the most common. Statistics shows that majority of farm workers is exposed to repetitive and forceful body movements, lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy materials. In such a working environment, materials handling equipments are required and introduced to assist in the prevention of MSDs and other farm injuries. Method: Examples of materials handling equipments are rail carts, portable lifts, and bale handlers. Contributing factors influencing the effectiveness of materials handling equipments supplied in agriculture were identified based on the lessons learned from previous government-funded ergonomic projects. Results: Contributing factors identified include: (1) forward-looking attitude for the standardization of farming, its environments, and handling equipments, (2) participation of farm members in the process and evaluation of project, (3) leadership of project manager, (4) reinforcement of safety education and training, and (5) project selection and priority of handling equipment. Conclusion: Government-funded research planners, farmers, ergonomists, and farm machine experts are recommended to consider the factors identified when implementing materials handling equipments in agriculture. Application: Actual or potential application of this research includes recommendation for the effective implementation of material materials handling equipments in agricultural sectors.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.113-124
• /
• 2002

The objectives of this study was to investiage the effects of sitting posture on carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) continues to be one of the most widely publicized maladies of the cumulative trauma disorder. Many studies have reported a positive association between CTS and highly repetitive work, high force, and poor posture. High force and repetitive work have especially been associated with CTS, but the evidence for work being a primary cause of CTS is strongest when these factors are combined. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, hand, wrist, and other disorders are attributed to these work-related movements. Such disorders are referred to as repetitive stress injuries, cumulative trauma disorder, overuse syndromes, and chronic upper limb pain syndrome. Incorrect posture also may play a role in the development of CTS in people who work at a computer and other types of keyboards. The tendency to roll the shoulders forward, round the lower back, and thrust the chin forward can shorten the neck and shoulder muscles, compressing nerves in the neck. This, in turn, can affect the wrist, fingers, and hand. The treatment and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome continue to be approached with a segmental view of the human body. For example, the most common ergonomic solution for carpal tunnel syndrome associated with keyboard use is to keep the wrists in a neutral position by using a wrist rest in front of the keyboard and good sitting posture.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.505-510
• /
• 2021

Background: Factors related to root causes can cause commonly occurring accidents such as falls, slips, and jammed injuries. An important means of reducing the frequency of occupational accidents in small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMSEs) of South Korea is to perform intensity analysis of the root cause factors for accident prevention in the cause and effect model like decision models, epidemiological models, system models, human factors models, LCU (life change unit) models, and the domino theory. Especially intensity analysis in a robot system and smart technology as Industry 4.0 is very important in order to minimize the occupational accidents and fatal accident because of the complexity of accident factors. Methods: We have developed the modern cause and effect model that includes factors of root cause through statistical testing to minimize commonly occurring accidents and fatal accidents in SMSEs of South Korea and systematically proposed educational policies for accident prevention. Results: As a result, the consciousness factors among factors of root cause such as unconsciousness, disregard, ignorance, recklessness, and misjudgment had strong relationships with occupational accidents in South Korean SMSEs. Conclusion: We conclude that the educational policies necessary for minimizing these consciousness factors include continuous training procedures followed by periodic hands-on experience, along with perceptual and cognitive education related to occupational health and safety.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2023

Background: Firefighting involves exposure of firefighters to risks related to this activity, serious injuries, and occupational diseases are recorded. There are other consequences such as thermal and emotional stress. This systematic review is proposed in order to analyze the risks and consequences faced by these workers and thus provide elements to improve safety management systems in institutions. Method: A descriptive observational study of systematic literature review on the risks and consequences of exposure to firefighters' activity was proposed, and the information was analyzed and described based on the available data and according to the variables determined. Results: The studies showed data on mechanical, physical, chemical, psychosocial risks, workers' perception and resilience, and epidemiological data. Information related to firefighters' activity on falls and slips, exposure to noise, and high concentrations of carbon monoxide is detailed. In addition, the relationship between burnout, cognitive, and physical fatigue as adverse effects on health and performance is mentioned. Conclusions: Among the preventive measures, the use of personal protective equipment is suggested, incorporation in prevention programs of information on exposure to risk factors, as well as the implementation of models that can predict the perception of workers, additionally, the generation of management systems with safety climate models for fire departments.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2023

Public institutions have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and the public. One way to do this is to implement a systematic safety inspection system based on risk assessments and continuous improvements. This study developed a systematic safety inspection system for public institutions that are ordered construction projects. The proposed system in this study consists of a three-step process: (1) developing safety grade evaluation tables, (2) preparing and conducting safety inspections, and (3) evaluating and improving safety management grades. The first step is to develop safety grade evaluation tables by analysis and diagnosis of the construction site's work type, disaster statistics, and related laws. The second step is to conduct safety inspections using the developed evaluation tables. The third step is to determine the safety management grade based on the results of the safety inspection, and to improve risk factors found during the safety evaluation. The proposed system was implemented in highway construction projects carried out by public institutions. The results showed that the proposed system has two major effects: (1) reducing accident-related deaths and injuries, (2) improving safety management levels by continuous evaluation and improvement. The proposed system can be utilized in construction projects ordered by public institutions to improve the level of occupational safety and health.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.71-80
• /
• 2016

Background: Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are designed to systematically assess the capacity to perform work-related tasks and to determine worker's ability to return to the previous job following work-related injuries. These evaluations may be rated either by clinician or worker. There has been a lack of consensus between the two scoring methods. Objects: This study aimed: 1) to confirm if the data are fit to the Rasch rating scale model and 2) to investigate the item-level concordance rate between the ratings of clinician and injured worker of the FCE. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample (n=124) of a rehabilitation program with the Occupational Rehabilitation Data Base for workers with low back pain. The functional capacity evaluation at admission and discharge was administered to clinicians and workers. The data were analyzed using both classical test theory-based Pearson's r and intra-class coefficient followed by item-level analysis with Rasch rating scale model. Results: All items of the FCE, except sitting items rated by clinician at admission and handling items rated by both clinician and worker throughout admission and discharge, were acceptable fit statistics with minor out of ranges for a misfit criterion. This may indicate that the items of the FCE overall fit to the Rasch rating scale model. Few problematic items responding differently to clinician and worker both at admission and discharge were detected with the differential item functioning analysis despite the excellent concordance rate using the two conventional statistics-sitting and handling items at admission and handling item at discharge. Conclusion: The item-level speculations using Rasch analysis of the FCE demonstrate that the ratings of clinician and self ratings of worker were psychometrically acceptable though there was an apparent discrepancy between the raters both at admission and discharge.