• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.25-38
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• 2006

It was investigated the current state of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), which is one of the major problems in occupational safety and health management. A survey was conducted for safety personnel serve in the enterprises located at two cities in Gyungbuk area, Gumi and Pohang where the major industrial complex reside. The goal of this study was to identify whether the category and scale of the enterprises affect the sort of hazard factors, occurrence rate, and countermeasures against WMSDs. The results from the survey indicated that there were significant differences in the level of recognition and counteracts for WMSDs among the enterprises subject to their categories and scales. On the basis of these results, it was considered a more efficient way of spreading proper ergonomic knowledge and skills to the industries that were coincided with the circumstances of individual enterprise.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.153-157
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to establish a systematic ergonomic program for the prevention and control of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) in a machinery manufacturing company. The steps such as looking for the signs of WMSDs problems, setting the stage for action, training-building in-house expertise, gathering and examining the evidence of WMSDS, developing controls of health care management, and proactive ergonomic interventions were applied. The primary success factors were management commitment and encouragement, and harmonious union-management relations.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Purpose: Among computer users, the awkward posture and workstation setups of workers contribute to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a traditional physical therapy and ergonomic intervention by physical therapists in 4 computer users. Methods: After checking Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), four subjects who were treated by physical therapy for neck and shoulder problems related to VDT syndrome were enrolled in the study. All subjects spent at least 40 hours per week at a computer workstation. All subjects had pain and ergonomic states evaluated using methods such as VAS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Workstyle short form, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and OSHA VDT checklist (Occupational Safety and Health Administration video display terminal) before a physical therapy + ergonomic intervention. Participants were re-evaluated 1 month later. Results: Participants showed more improvement of their neck pain after being treated with a physical therapy plus ergonomic intervention than when treatment consisted only of physical therapy. Improvements in RULA, Workstyle short form, and OSHA VDT checklist also were achieved. Conclusion: This case study suggests the importance of examining the work habits and work-related postures of subjects who complain of neck and shoulder pain that is exacerbated by computer use. Personalized ergonomic interventions and physical therapy can lead to improvement of patients with VDT syndrome.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권12호
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• pp.497-507
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• 2021

The objective of the current research study is to examine those elements/factors that can reduce silence so that organizations can become more efficient, innovative, and adaptable by sharing knowledge and work-related problems. The purpose behind conducting this research was to explore the effects of emotional intelligence on silent behavior. The study also focuses on other individual negative aspects that can increase counterproductive behavior like silence and examines the effects of emotional intelligence on silence through moral disengagement. Data was collected from 400 employees using stratified sampling to ensure adequate representation of males and females. Data was collected from nurses and young doctors using the adopted measurement scale through a self-administered questionnaire. Since the sample included nursing staff and they usually are not well versed in English, the instrument was translated into Urdu. Data were analyzed using SEM to assess the direct and indirect effects of EI on employee silence. The result indicates that emotional intelligence has a positive impact on employee silence and moral disengagement. In contradiction to theory, the findings suggest that people with high emotional intelligence tend to get morally disengaged. As a result, they will remain silent and withhold information regarding work-related issues and problems.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.327-335
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• 2019

Background: There have been some concerns related to manual handling of large items in industry. Manual handling operations of large sheet metal may expose workers to risks related to efficiency as well as occupational safety and health. Large sheet metals are difficult to move and burdensome to lift/transfer, and handling the sharp sheet edges may result in contact stress and/or cut injuries on the workers. Methods: Through observation, interview, and immersive simulation activities, a few problems related to current handling of sheet metals were identified. A sheet metal trolley-lifter was then designed and fabricated to address these issues. A pilot study on the use of the developed trolley-lifter for handling sheet metals was conducted to compare between the new and traditional handling methods. Results: The pilot study of the trolley-lifter showed promising results in terms of improving the cycle time, manpower utilization, and working postures compared with the traditional handling method. Conclusion: The trolley-lifter offers an alternative solution to automation and a mechanized assistive device by providing a simple mechanism to assist the handling of sheet metals effectively and safely.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.265-276
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• 1999

Female nurses in Korea have historically experienced discrimination on the basis of their gender as part of the traditional society views on woman and as a result of the male dominated hospital environments. This discrimination may interfere with the ability of female nurses to promote the health of their patients. To better understand this bias, we collected and analyzed 16 cases of alleged sexual discrimination reported by female nurses with more than 5 years work experience. The cases were classified into 10 subjects and further into 4 categories: personnel administration, daily working environment, female gender bias, and health care delivery. There were 7 cases (11.3%) of unjust personnel changes consisting of demotion(1), termination(4), and reallocation of position(3). Twenty three (37.1%) of cases related to problems in the daily workplace including biases in communication between female nurses and male physicians(12), daily work(8), and responsibility for adverse outcomes(3). We noted 17 cases (27.4%) of female gender bias as reported by female nurses(7), female physicians(7), and female patients(3). Lastly, there were 15 (24.3%) cases of problems with health care delivery due to sexual discrimination, including enrollment in the health care system(4),and decisions regarding medical care(4). These results suggest that sexual discrimination towards women is pervasive in the Korea hospitals, not only towards female nurses but also towards female physicians and patients. More discriminatory practices in a timely fashion such that better nursing care can be provided to patients and their families.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제13권4호
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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.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2015

Background: The study was designed to assess the changes in working conditions through a comparative analysis of the characteristics of working conditions in 2006 and 2010. Methods: We performed a comparative analysis of the data related to the first Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) and the second KWCS in the categories of demographic characteristics, quality of labor, exposure to hazards, and health problems. Results: From our analysis of the demographic characteristics, we saw an increase in labor force participation rate of women and elderly people. As a result of the investigation with regards to working hours, the ratio of employees who worked for ${\geq}49$ hours per week was decreased and the ratio of employees who worked for ${\geq}40h/wk$ increased. As for exposure to hazards, exposure to tobacco smoke notably decreased in 2010 compared with 2006. With regards to health problems, there was a sharp increase in the number of people who complained of muscle pain in their arms and legs. Conclusion: KWCS data included many aspects of working conditions as a nationwide sample. In addition, because this is a periodic nationwide survey, the labor force, working hours, harmful factor exposure, and the change in health problems characteristics according to the flow of time could be investigated. The information comparing the main results of the first survey conducted in 2006 and the second survey conducted in 2010 obtained through this study can be used as an important base material for the establishment of the national policy.

• 응용통계연구
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• 제27권7호
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• pp.1243-1255
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• 2014

본 연구에서는 업종에 따른 다양한 근로환경 요인들을 파악하고 관련 분야의 산업안전보건 정책을 판단할 수 있도록 근로환경조사 기초자료를 분석하여 사회요인을 고려한 지수 및 지표 개발을 목표로 하였다. 지표개발을 위해 OECD에서 제시하는 지표개발 가이드라인과 해외의 지표개발 사례들을 벤치마킹하여 수행되었다. OECD의 압력-상태-대응 모형을 벤치마킹하여 건강과 관련 있는 지표들을 제시하였다. 근로환경조사의 압력-상태 건강관련 지표는 압력은 물리적 위험환경, 노동시간, 업무환경, 사회 환경으로 구성되었고, 이에 따른 상태 항목은 건강관련 항목으로 정신건강, 신체건강, 건강문제로 인한 결근, 업무 만족으로 구성되었다. 그 결과 임금근로자, 상용근로자, 관리자, 사무종사자, 전문가 및 관련 종사자, 50세 미만 근로자의 압력-상태 지표가 상대적으로 양호하였다. 반대로, 50세 이상, 자영업자, 일용 직, 농림어업 숙련직, 단순노무, 장치 기계 조립 근로자의 압력-상태 지표가 상대적으로 취약한 것으로 나타났다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.85-92
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• 2023

Background: Presenteeism is closely related to work performance, work quality and quantity, and productivity at work. According to the job demand-control-support model, job demand, job control, and support play important roles in presenteeism. The present study investigated job characteristics profiles based on the job demand-control-support model and identify the association between job characteristics profiles and presenteeism. Methods: This secondary data analysis used the Sixth Korean Working Condition Survey, a nationwide cross-sectional dataset. The study included 25,361 Korean wage workers employed in the workplace with two or more workers. Participants were classified into four job characteristics profiles based on the job demand-control-support model, using latent profile analysis, and logistic regression was performed to examine the association between study variables. Results: Overall, 11.0 % of study participants reported experience of presenteeism in the past 12 months. Age, sex, location, monthly income, shift work, work hours, health problems, and sleep disturbances were significantly associated with presenteeism. The rate of presenteeism was the highest in the passive isolate group. The passive collective, active collective, and low-stain collective groups had a 23.0%, 21.0%, and 29.0% lower likelihood of experiencing presenteeism, respectively, than the passive isolate group. Conclusions: The job demand-control-support profiles and the risk of presenteeism were significantly associated. The most significant group that lowered the experience of presenteeism was the low-strain collective group, which had a low level of demand and high levels of control and support. Therefore, we need a policy to reduce job demand and increase job control and support at the organizational and national levels.