• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2024

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the logistics industry in Korea has rapidly been expanding, with offline demand concentrating on online platforms owing to the development of digital infrastructure. This has increased the workload of courier drivers considerably, along with labor intensity. A delivery driver died recently from overwork due to the continuous increase in delivery volume, which raises social concerns. Delivery drivers work long hours, (over 12 hours) and are greatly affected by weather conditions, such as snow, rain, heat waves, and cold waves. In addition, they lack a fixed workplace; perform atypical work handling workpieces of various sizes, weights, and shapes; and spend a large amount of time driving as part of their work. This work involves a high level of tension and requires attention and concentration. Despite the frequency of industrial accidents in the courier industry, studies on safety and health to quantitatively analyze and systematize the work of courier workers are very scarce. Therefore, to define the work process necessary for investigating the harmful factors in delivery service and the work analysis, this study conducted interviews and on-site surveys to analyze the unit work of the delivery service by targeting delivery workers. In other words, a framework of unit work for work analysis was presented to enable research and analysis by considering the aforementioned characteristics of the courier industry. The process was broadly divided into work, transport, storage, delay, and inspection. Work was divided into loading, sorting, unloading, and door subcategories, and transportation was divided into vehicle, cart, and walking subcategories as well as 10 small processes. Moreover, 22 unit works were again drawn by conducting field surveys and interviews. The risk of unit work derived from this study was ergonomically evaluated, and the ergonomic analysis revealed that uploading and transportation were the most dangerous. The results of this study could be used as basic data for preventing industrial accidents among courier workers, whose work has increased with the logistics volume and the development of the logistics industry.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.21 no.4 s.62
• /
• pp.19-28
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the related factor for the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among 212 sewing worker. The survey was performed with self-administered questionnaire for the risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) from August 5 to 7 in 2005. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were 75.8% and the those of the local symptoms were 71.7 % for shoulder, 60.4 % for neck, 35.8 % for arm and 50.9 % for wrist. The risk factors related the self-reported MSDs had not shown in general characteristics. But, there was a significant difference between daily working hour and wrist, working speed and neck, the degree of satisfaction and wrist for work related factor. Also, it was shown the significant difference between chair height and neck, the height of sewing machine and wrist among the space below work station, neck, waist for the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The significant correlation was shown for daily working hour and wrist, working speed and arm, work load and shoulder and the degree of satisfaction and arm for work related subjective symptom. Considering above results, it is suggested the ergonomic design be provided to working hour, the height of chair and work station as well as daily working hour even there is a significant difference for the prevalence of symptoms in each body part for sewing workers.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.427-435
• /
• 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a work of building cleaners using the ergonomic methods. Background: Previous studies about cleaning worker describe typical physical demands of this work. They found that the most significant risk factors associated with the physical work of cleaners are static loads and repetitive movements and high output of force. Method: A head of ergonomics estimation was work analysis(define of combined task, work tool, work time and frequency of combined task) and posture analysis of worker. Results: The results showed that combined task of building cleaners was classification sweeping, mopping(wet), mopping(oil), moving barrels/carts, dumping trash bags, scrubbing, arrangement of cleaning tool, arrangement of circumferential, moving of cleaning tool, and waiting. The work time of combined task such as mopping(wet) and scrubbing indicated high ratio. The posture analysis of building cleaners indicated high value in bending of the head, lower arm, and hands. Conclusion: The findings appear to indicate that building cleaner were related to high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. So, building cleaner would be required an interventional strategy, improvement of cleaning tools and working environment. Application: If ergonomics rule can be integrated into existing cleaning tools and work environments, the risk of occupational injuries will be reduced.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.49-60
• /
• 1997

Although the tasks are being mechanized or automated today, many tasks are still performed manually in several industrial settings. Manual materials handling and improper sorking postures are known to be a major cause of low back injuries, which are one of the major problems in the economic and public health aspects. In this study, two machine repair shops of a manufacturing company in Pohang were recommended by the company health care center to investigate the potential risk factors that may cause low back injuries. Five machine repair tasks were selected from each machine repair shop, which are accountable for relatively high complaints of low back pain. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the hazards of the tasks, and finally to recommend the improved methods and guidelines for safe work practices. In order to accomplish this goal, the questionnaire study and ergonomic evaluations were carried out and the results were analyzed. For most of the tasks under study, workers were found to be exposed to relatively high biomechanical stresses in low back, mainly due to the heaby objects handled and the improper working postures.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.36-49
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the work postures and upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders(CTDs) in female medical insurance bill reviewers(n=448). This study included diagnosis for CTDs, anthropometry and job analysis (workstations and posture). The characteristics of subject were 33.6 years of average age and 8.7 years of average work duration. The results were as fallows. Ergonomic conditions of workstation were unsuitable compared with anthropometry result. The height of work surface(79.5 cm) and chair(43.0 cm)were high. work space was small, and legs space under the table was limited. Work postures were awkward compared with recommended neutral postures. Neck flexion($21.0-36.0^{\circ}$), elbow elevation, shoulder abduction ($46.0-47.0^{\circ}$). wrist radial and ulnar deviation, forearm supination and pronation, and wrist repeated motion(12.7-21.5 freq./min) were analyzed as hazardous risk factors by job analysis. The prevalence of CTDs was 32.8 % by medical diagnosis. The prevalence rate of CTDs in hazardous work posture group was significantly greater than safe work posture group both neck-shoulder (relative prevalence = 5.2, p<0.001) and wrist-hand (relative prevalence = 2.5, p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.44-55
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the current status of work-related back pain among nurses in the U.S. Method: Literature review and website searching were conducted. Key words as 'nurse and back pain (or back injury)' were used in searching the Medline, NIOSHTIC-2and reference list of selected studies. Total studies were selected of which subjects were nurses working in the U.S., and published since 1970. Results: Though there was variation in the measurement among studies, the prevalence rate of back pain among nurses in the U.S. could be estimated about 50%. Risk factors were confirmed as the frequency of patient lifting, ward, nursing shortage, overtime, work shift, stress on physical demand, but age and work experiences showed the inconsistent relation. It has been well known that educational approach is not enough to prevent back pain. Intervention studies to apply the ergonomic approach using mechanical devices reported the effects, but the devices were less diverse than European countries or Canada. The study for lifting team was rare. Federal government developed only the guideline for nursing home that had no legal obligation. As a professional nursing organization, ANA has been trying to educate and advocate for "No lift policy" since 2003. Meanwhile, two trade unions of nurses made efforts to establish the law strengthening the responsibility of health care facilities. Conclusion: The research and policy development will be needed to prepare to rapid increase of back pain among Korean nurses.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.395-401
• /
• 2011

Objective: This study examined the effects of working chair that was developed for farmers who work in grapevine's cluster thinning. Background: Agricultural work involves some of the nation's highest occupational risk exposures. Fruit cultivation has been recognized as one of the most hazardous crops in which to work. Grapevine cluster thinning task involve activities related to the main risk factors associated with upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Method: An experiment was designed to test the working chair. Six healthy male($25.8{\pm}4.9years$) were selected as the subjects for this study. Electromyography(EMG) was used to monitor the muscles activity, and Electro-goniometer was used to measure the ranges of motions of the elbow, trunk and knee. Subjective test was also carried out to examine discomfort body parts and their pain intensity. A grapevine's working space was built for the experiment and working chair was installed on it. In order to examine the muscle activity and range of motion, subjects used to the working chair for 30 minutes for each experimental condition. Another test without working chair was also performed for comparison. %MVC was used to quantify the level of muscle activity. Results: Decreases of muscle activity was found in all leg muscles and significant decrease of muscle activity was found in left Gastrocnemius. The range of motion of the trunk and knee also decreased when working chair used. Discomfort in lower back, thigh and shank region were reduced significantly. However, in upper limbs muscle activity tended to increase in working chair compared with conventional task. Conclusion: Improvement for cushion in seat back and pan required to reduce discomfort in buttocks. Application: Overall findings verified that the working chair might help to prevent upper limb and lower back MSDs based on the current study. These results can be practically used for work improvement for the grapevine growers to prevent MSDs.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to contribute to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) by evaluating ergonomic risk factors of patient lifting work-postures. Methods: Four procedures were evaluated: using long back-board (LBB) on the sitting and standing main stretcher, using variable stretcher on the sitting and standing main stretcher. Wok-postures were assessed during training. Results: In using LBB on the sitting main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:3 (Mean:2.30, Maximum:3), the REBA-score was Mode:9 (Mean:7.61, Maximum:11), requiring improvement soon. In using LBB on the standing main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:3 (Mean:2.33, Maximum:3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA-score was Mode:6 (Mean:5.44, Maximum:11), requiring improvement. In using variable stretcher on the sitting main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:1 (Mean:1.85, Maximum:3), not requiring corrective action, the REBA-score was Mode:6 (Mean:6.78, Maximum:11), requiring improvement. In using variable stretcher on the standing main stretcher, the OWAS-score was Mode:3 (Mean:2.84, Maximum:3), requiring as soon as possible corrective action, the REBA-score was Mode:11 (Mean:9.38, Maximum:11), requiring immediate improvement. Conclusion: All four-procedures showed improvement in work-posture. Thereby, required attention and management in training, occupational health professionals should participate in change of lifting-method, and programs aimed at preventing MSDs should be developed and implemented in fire-academy and fire-station.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2016

For the prevention of marine casualties, international bodies have mainly focused on strengthening ship's stability and design, maritime education and training, and improving maritime traffic environment. Statistics analysis on marine casualties showed that most of casualties occurred in coastal waters, especially by human elements. In order to review the conformity of existing prevention measures with the result of the statistics analysis, the IMO's SHELL model was applied to the established measures. As a result, ergonomic approaches were needed for the prevention of human errors in coastal waters, so that the priority should be given to the interface between ship's operator and navigational environment. For this study, Rasmussen's SRK pyramid, which showed decision making mechanism of human, and the US Coast Guard's investigation manual on marine casualties concerning the collapse of safe maritime transportation system were reviewed, and the merits and demerits within the risk assessment tools such as IWRAP, PAWSA, ES model, PARK model, and NURI model were also studied. Although the effectiveness of the existing risk assessment models was proved in ports and approaching channels, it is concluded that the need of new models for converting Korean seafarers' qualitative risk to quantitative risk was proposed so as to print hazard maps which make seafarers instinctively recognize comparative hazard levels of coastal waters.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.48-59
• /
• 1999

Objectives. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment(RULA) in vehicle assembly line workers. The goal of this study is to show the feasibility of RULA as a checklist for work related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSDs) in Korean workers. Methods. The total number of 199 people from the department of assembly and 115 people from the department of Quality Control(QC) in automotive plant were subjects for this cross sectional study. A standard symptom questionnaire survey has been used for the individual characteristics, work history, musculosketal symptoms and non-occupational covariates. The data were obtained by applying one-on-one interview for the all subjects. RULA has been applied for ergonomic work posture analysis and the primary ergonomic risk sure was computed by RULA method. Association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and RULA were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. A total of 314 workers was examined. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH case definition was 62.4%. The distribution of musculoskeletal symptoms by the part of the body turned out to be following; back:41.4%, neck: 32.8%, shoulder: 26.4%, arm: 10.5% and hand:29.3%. The relationship of the individual RULA scores were statistically significant for the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. As the result of the multiple logistic regressioin analysis, grand final score (OR=2.250 95% CI: 1.402-3.612) was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in any part of the body.; upper arm score(OR=1.786 95% CI: 1.036-3.079) and posture score A(OR=1.634 95% CI: 1.016-2.626) in neck; muscel use score(OR=3.076 95% CI:1.782-5.310) and posture score A(OR=1.798 95% CI: 1.072-3.017) in shoulder; upper arm score(OR=1.715 95% CI: 1.083-2.715) and muscel use score(OR=2.057 95% CI:1.303-3.248) in neck & shoulder; muscle use score(OR=10.662 95% CI: 3.180-35.742) in arm; writst/wist score(OR=2.068 95% CI: 1.130-3.786) and muscle use score(OR=2.215 95% CI: 1.284-3.819) in hand & wrist.; muscle use score of trunk (OR=2.601 95% CI: 1.147-5.901) in back. Conclusions. Musculoskeletal symptoms of the extremities were strongly associated with individual RULA body score. These results show that RULA can be used as a useful assessment tool for the evaluation of musculoskeletal loading which is known to contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. RULA also can be used as a screening tool or incorporated into a wider ergonomic assessment of epidemiological, physical, mental, environmental and organizational factors. As shown in this study, complement of the analysis system for the other risk factors and characterizing between the upper limb and back part will be needed for future work.