• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.139-143
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• 2001

Work-related injurieshave become the issue in the twentieth century. Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common work-related injuriesand the most frequent from of work-related i11-health (more than 50％ of total work-related injuries (BLS 1990)). The workers at copy shops have complained of pain in their back, legs, and shoulders. Most of them work for more than 8 hours a day. They have claimed that their pains were associated with repetitive and continuous work over a long term. The purpose of this research is to suggest an ergonomically comfortable redesign of the copy machine. This study was performed by conducting a survey of copy shop workers who have complained of job-related physical pain, and analyzing their working postures. The copy machine was ergonomically modified to reduce the workers' pain. The VIS10N 3000 software was used to analyze the posture. The analysis showed significant difference in the ranges of back and neck motion (p<0.05).

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.53-60
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• 2008

The work-related musculoskeletal disorders have constantly increased since it became an issue in 1996. In 2002, the Government established the risk factors analysis system in order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. The proclamation by the Ministry of Labor defined eleven spheres of work associated with musculoskeletal disorders. As a result, business proprietors, who have workers engaged in tasks associated with musculoskeletal disorders, are required to conduct the risk factor analysis on a regular basis every three years. However, numerous issues have been raised while carrying out the risk factor analysis in various industries. One of the issues is that even though work sampling is an ideal method in risk factor analysis, most cases have selected extreme task postures, which is judged by an expert, due to limited time. This study will propose the desired direction of the risk factor analysis by comparing task assessment results between work sampling scenes and extreme task scenes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.39-46
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of slump sitting postures on the masticatory, neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD). Eleven healthy adults (age, $23.3{\pm}2.7$ yrs; height, $174.0{\pm}4.1$ cm; weight, $61.4{\pm}6.6$ kg) participated in this study. The participants were free of injury history and neurologic deficits in the masticatory, neck muscles and upper extremities at the time of participation. The subjects were asked to perform erect and slump sitting postures under the guidance of physical therapists. The surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the anterior temporalis, masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique, gluteus maximus muscles of 11 adults as they performed visual terminal display work, which are known as the weakened and tightened muscles owing to WRMD. The recorded signals were averaged and normalized to the mean amplitude of the EMG signal obtained during submaximal reference voluntary contractions. The results of study were as follows: The masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique muscles significantly differed in the slump sitting posture (p<.05). The muscle activities of the serratus anterior, middle trapezius muscle, and external abdominal oblique were significantly lower and that of the masseter, upper trapezius, L3 paraspinal muscles were significantly higher. Further research is needed to assess the motor control problems and the function of the deep muscles in posture stability of patients with WRMD.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.101-112
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• 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 the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2015

Objective: This study aims to analyze qualitatively if PTS methods are applicable to the agricultural works of Korea. Background: Many studies on setting standard time have been performed for manufacturing and service industries, not many studies on agricultural work have been carried out domestically and internationally. Method: MTM, MOST, Work Factor, MODAPTS were applied to some agricultural works, and limitations of each method were found out. Results: MTM was found to be more applicable than other methods, except for mental works. Conclusion: In general, many Korean agricultural works need squat postures, which are not taken into account in most of PTS methods. Continuous observation with stop watch is recommended for establishing the standard time for the agricultural works of Korea. Application: The information drawn from this study would be helpful to the farmer safety assurance system being established by Korean government.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2014

Objective: This research focuses on the working environment of office workers and aims to propose an ideal seating posture and chair design. Background: Generally, office workers having to seat in a fixed posture for long periods of time tend to suffer from an increased rate of musculoskeletal disorders. Method: The measurement and survey of 123 office workers on their working conditions and literature survey will lead to a suggestion of an ideal seating posture and workstation design theory. Results: Work environment satisfaction appeared low for chair and desks. Work-related pain over the last year was experienced among 47.2% of the respondents in shoulder (34.2%), neck (30.9%). Observation of working posture revealed that only 27.6% of workers utilize backrest during work. Conclusion: Office work embodies many situations where risks of musculoskeletal disorders may be high. Thus, the seated workplace must be set up to allow proper seating posture for workers. Application: The results of this study can be applied as baseline data for preventing musculoskeletal disorders of office workers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.16-25
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• 2023

This study investigated health problems and work-relatedness for fishermen. In total, 121 fishermen (103 males and 18 females) were extracted from the data of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. Two groups (Symptomatic and Asymptomatic) were statistically compared in terms of health problems and exposure to hazards. The most common health problems identified for fishermen were muscular pain in the shoulder, neck, and upper limbs (73.6%), backache (71.1%), muscular pain in the lower limbs (58.7%), overall fatigue (33.9%), headaches or eyestrain (22.3%), and anxiety (8.3%). These health problems were found to be related to the working conditions of the fishermen (low temperatures, tiring or painful postures, stance, sitting position, repetitive hand or arm placement, and the experience of stress). This study's findings may help us better understand the characteristics of the health problems and work-relatedness of fishermen and could be helpful for improving fishermen's overall health and safety.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2005

Objectives : To investigate the fatigue subjective symptoms and VDT related risk factors in bank workers. Methods : A total of 2178 workers (62.8% male, 37.2% female) were surveyed with a self-administered and structured questionnaire consisting of 30 fatigue symptoms and other VDT related factors regarding work characteristics, work postures, work environments, personal medical histories, etc. Fatigue subjective symptoms were divided into 3 groups of 10 questions each: a dull, drowsy and exhausted feeling (Group I), a mental decline of working motivation (Group II), or a feeling of incongruity in the body and dysfunction of autonomic nervous system (Group III). Each question was weighted as 0 for 'none', 1 for 'sometimes', and 2 for 'always'. Results : Mean age was $35.8{\pm}7.2$ years ($38.9{\pm}6.0$ in males, $30.6{\pm}5.8$ in females), Mean work duration was $7.7{\pm}7.1$ years ($8.4{\pm}7.4$ in males, $6.5{\pm}6.4$ in females). Mean symptom score in males was $11.0{\pm}8.1$ ($4.9{\pm}3.1$ in Group I, $3.0{\pm}3.1$ in Group II, $3.1{\pm}2.8$ in Group III) and in females was $17.5{\pm}9.5$ ($7.0{\pm}3.8$ in Group I, $4.6{\pm}3.5$ in Group II, $5.9{\pm}3.4$ in Group III). Mean scores were higher in the order of Group I>III>II. Females had significantly higher scores than males in all three groups (p<0.001). Most common symptoms complained of as 'always' or 'sometimes' were feel strained in the eyes' (85.4%) among Group I, 'find difficulty in thinking'(54.2%) among Group II, and 'feel stiff in the shoulders (72.3%) among Group III. In multiple regression analysis, female, non-straight spine at workstation, more VDT work hours, history of physical therapy, glare of screen, overtime work, young age, and non-horizontal elbow position were significantly related with high score of symptoms. Conclusions : More supportive VDT work environment and education for correct work postures for VDT workers are recommended.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.213-222
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• 1998

The prevalence rate of low back pain in nurses is higher than that of other jobs, because there are many more risk factors(for example, standing postures, lifting and carrying heavy loads, transfering patients, changing a patient's position etc.). This investigation is to provide basic data for prevention of low back pain by analyzing the prevalence rate and related factors of low back pain in nurses(esp. operating room staff) in general hospitals. A self-reported questionaire survey was carried out on three hundred and five nurses of three general hospitals in Seoul from June, 1996 to August, 1996. Subjects of the survey were divided into a low back pain group(LBP) and a cotrol group to investigate the association between low back pain and the general characteristics and work related factors of each group. The results were as follows: 1. In the subjects of the survey, the prevalence rate of low back pain was 60.0% for the last year. 2. 73.6% of operating room(OR) staff complained of low back pain. 3. Standing for a long time and working in twisting postures were associated with low back pain, and so were the shift, the type of work, and the frequency of transfering patients. 4. The weight loads which nurses frequently carried were, under 5kg, 5-10kg, 15-20kg, 15-20kg, over 20kg, and all, except for 10-15kg, were associated with LBP. 5. 76.9% of the LBP experienced low back pain within 3 years after starting nursing jobs. 6. Concerning the degrees of low back pain: 75.8% was limited to waist; 18.8% reached the knees; 4.2% reached ankles. In conclusion, the prevalence rate of low back pain in general hospital nurses was associated with the works in operating room and other work related factors, therefore it is necessary to develop on educational program for the prevention of low back pain as well as and to improve working environments.

• IE interfaces
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.288-296
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• 2005

Many jobs and activities in our daily lives require squatting postures. The fore part includes housekeepers, farmers, and welders and the latter includes a wide variety of activities such as housekeeping; planting, cultivating and harvesting various agricultural products; grinding, welding, etc. It is speculated that prolonged squatting postures without any supporting stool would gradually cause musculoskeletal injuries to workers. This study is conducted to examine the proper height of stools according to the position of the working materials and to develop wearable stools for workers with squatting posture. Forty male and female subjects participated in the experiment to find the proper height of stools according to the position of the working materials. Subjects were asked to squat and work with 3 different working positions: floor level; ankle level; shank level of 3 different stool height conditions: 10cm height; 15cm height; and 20cm height. After 5 minutes of maintaining a squatting work posture while sitting on the different height stools, Likert summated rating method as well as pairwise ranking test was applied to evaluate the user preferences for provided stools under the conditions of different working positions. The results of statistical analysis show that the subjects preferred 10cm height stool for floor level, 15cm height stool for ankle level, 20cm height stool for knee level. We thus strongly recommend to use appropriate height stools in accordance with the different working positions. Moreover, a prototype wearable stool was designed such that workers with squatting posture do not need to move the stool while they are moving about. The purpose of developing wearable stool was to decrease the physical stress and hence promote worker's health who work with squatting posture.