Investigation on skills of using dust mask in dust-exposed workers of civil metal ship manufacturing enterprises / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the skills of using dust mask in the dust-exposed workers in civil metal ship manufacturing enterprises. METHODS: A total of 123 dust-exposed workers in a civil metal ship manufacturing enterprise were selected as the research subjects using convenience sampling method. Dust Mask Using Situation and Maintenance Questionnaire was used to investigate the use of dust masks, and the tightness of using dust mask was measured by the tightness tester. RESULTS: The median, and the 0 th-100 th percentiles[M(P_0-P_(100))] of the dust mask use time in the workers was 3.0(1.0-3.0) months, and the M(P_0-P_(100)) of filter element use time was 1.0(0.5-2.0) workdays. The subjects did not disinfect the masks after use. Only 36.6%(45/123) of workers regularly cleaned dust masks during use. There was 62.6%(77/123) of workers who failed to correctly perform negative pressure air tightness check by themselves. A total of 112 workers carried out tightness test, and the pass rate of those who passed the tightness test for the first time was 62.5%(70/112). The median, and the 25 th and 75 th percentiles [M(P_(25), P_(75))] of fit factor(FF) in the 70 qualified workers was 835.0(503.0, 1 635.0). After retests, the overall tightness test pass rate was 66.1%(74/112), and the M(P_(25), P_(75)) of FF in the 74 qualified workers was 786.0(477.7, 1 532.2). The reasons for failure of tightness test were the mismatch of the mask and face size, wrong wearing methods and long beard. CONCLUSION: Some of the dust-exposed workers in the civil metal ship manufacturing enterprises did not use the dust mask correctly. The dust mask configuration and the use and maintenance training should be strengthened, and the tightness test should be carried out regularly to improve workers′ skills in using dust masks.

Influencing factors of lower back/waist work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in a shipyard / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) among workers in a shipyard. METHODS: A total of 496 workers in a large shipyard in Guangdong Province were selected as research subjects using the convenient sampling method. The Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Disorders was used to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs in various regions of the body in the past year.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the potential influencing factors of WMSDs in the frequently affected body parts. RESULTS: The prevalence of WMSDs was 70.2%(348/496). The prevalence rates of WMSDs in different body regions were: lower back/waist(43.1%), neck(29.4%), shoulder(29.0%), hand/wrist(25.4%), knee(22.4%), hip/leg(14.3%), ankle/foot(12.1%), upper back(11.3%) and elbow(9.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that increased risk of lower back/waist WMSDs occurred in workers who carry heavy objects>5.0 kg, who work in uncomfortable positions, who repeatedly perform the same work every day, and who repeatedly perform the same action using the lower limbs and ankles(P<0.05). Employees working ≤8 hours or more than 8 hours per day had higher risk of developing lower back/waist WMSDs compared with workers working 8-10 hours per day(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WMSDs among workers in the shipyard is high.The lower back/waist WMSD is the most common one. The influencing factors include work organization and adverse ergonomic factors.

Psychometric properties of the Malay-translated General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire among shipyard workers

Background: The General Practice Physical ActivityQuestionnaire (GPPAQ) is a validated and reliable screeningtool to measure the level of physical activity in adults.However, it has never been translated and validated inMalaysian population. This study aimed to translate theGPPAQ into Malay language and to evaluate thepsychometric properties of the Malay-translated GPPAQamong shipyard workers.Methods: The original English version of GPPAQ wastranslated forward and backward into Malay version byexperts. The final version of the Malay-translated GPPAQwas then tested for validity and reliability. A cross-sectionalstudy design was performed and systematic randomsampling was used to select respondents. Construct validityand internal consistency of the Malay-translated versionwere tested using exploratory factor analysis andCronbach’s alpha respectively.Results: Sixty-two male shipyard workers participated inthis study. The GPPAQ showed good factor loading valuesfor all items (0.608-0.834). The exploratory principalcomponent factor analysis delineates all seven items intotwo factors with variance of 41.65%. The Cronbach’s alphavalue was good with 0.81, 0.84 and 0.76 for total scale, factor1 and factor 2 respectively.Conclusion: The Malay-translated version of GPPAQ hashigh psychometric properties. Therefore, it is a validinstrument to assess physical activity among Malaysianworking population, particularly in male shipyard workers.

Cuidados com a saúde dos soldadores nos estaleiros brasileiros: uma revisão integrativa / Welders' health care in shipyards Brazilians: an integrative review

Este estudo impulsionou-me a desvendar, sobre os cuidados com a saúde dos soldadores nos estaleiros brasileiros, os quais fazem parte de um enorme contingente de trabalhadores especializados com vasto conhecimento nos processos de soldagem, os quais encontram-se expostos no seu dia-a-dia a vários riscos ocupacionais, além dos acidentes de trabalho, doenças profissionais e as pressões geradas pelo capitalismo global da produção. O objetivo geral é pesquisar se existem estudos brasileiros publicados no Brasil no período entre 2010 e 2016, com foco nos riscos ocupacionais e nos efeitos à saúde destes soldadores. Os objetivos específicos desta pesquisa são os de identificar, interpretar e apresentar as evidências que emergem destes estudos científicos, através da análise qualitativa realizada nas bases de dados LILACS, MEDLINE , SCIELO e periódicos da Capes foram selecionados 06 estudos que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos. Na discussão percebeu-se a dificuldade no relacionamento entre empregadores e trabalhadores, o descaso com a saúde dos soldadores, a falta de capacitação, Equipamentos de proteção coletiva (EPC) e Equipamentos de proteção individual (EPI) inadequados e inexistentes, ambientes de trabalho inseguros, dificuldade de acesso dos pesquisadores aos estaleiros, pesquisadores de áreas distintas desenvolvendo trabalhos sobre a mesma temática de forma multidisciplinar, interdisciplinar e transdisciplinar. Conclui-se que existe a necessidade de ampliar os investimentos em pesquisas sobre segurança e saúde dos soldadores nos estaleiros, aperfeiçoar os estudos, desenvolver EPC e EPI ergonomicamente adequados visando a melhoria nas condições de trabalho, mais ação política empresarial na gestão de pessoas, intensificar a capacitação e o aumento de estudo de forma multidisciplinar, interdisciplinar e transdisciplinar

The present study impelled me to an insight into the health care of welders in Brazilian shipyards, as they are part of a large contingent of specialized personnel, with extensive knowledge in welding processes. They are exposed daily to various occupational hazards, besides occupational accidents, occupational diseases and the pressures generated by the global capitalism. The aim of this study is to investigate if there are Brazilian studies, published in Brazil between 2010 and 2016, focusing on occupational hazards and health effects involving welders. The specific targets of this research are to identify, interpret and present the evidences that emerge from these scientific studies. For this, qualitative analysis was carried out in the LILACS, MEDLINE and SCIELO data bases, and also Capes papers. Six studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria established. In the discussion, we can observe the difficulty in the relationship between employers and workers, neglect with welders' health, lack of training, inadequate or non-existent personal and collective protective equipment (PPE and CPE), unsafe working environments, difficulty for researchers to access shipyards, researchers from different areas developing works about the same topics in a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary way. We concluded that there is a need to increase investment in research on the safety and health of welders in the shipyards, to improve studies and to develop PPE and CPE ergonomically adequate in order to improve working conditions, more business policy actions in people´s management, to intensify training and the increase of study in a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary way

Comparison of Cardiovascular Disease Status Between Large Scale Industry Office and Self Employed Male Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare the cardiovascular disease status between large scale industry office and self employed male workers who have gaps in their intensive health management. METHODS: The cross sectional study was carried out with subjects composed of 244 shipyard office male workers and 381 self employed male workers, aged 30 to 55 years. They were given a health exam in a general hospital from January 2007 to June 2009. Information was based on data from self-administered questionnaires, physical examination and laboratory results on blood samples. The degree of coronary artery calcification and stenosis was evaluated by a 64 channel multi-detector computed tomography angiography. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension(p<0.01) and diabetes mellitus(p=0.02) and waist circumference(p<0.01) was significantly lower in the shipyard office workers than in self employed workers. Proper drinking(p<0.01) was more commmon in shipyard office workers. The rates of coronary artery calcification and stenosis were estimated to be 18.4% and 11.5% respectively for shipyard office workers and were significantly lower than the 26.5% and 21.5% for self employed workers. After adjustment for age, the probability of coronary artery stenosis in shipyard office workers was lower than in self employed workers (OR=0.56, 95% CI=0.35~0.90). CONCLUSIONS: The study results verified the benefits of a health promotion and intervention program and the healthy worker effect for cardiovascular diseases. More specifically, it verified the benefits regarding coronary artery stenosis in large scale industry office workers. This result should encourage the establishment of health promotion programs and the study of occupational epidemiology.

Risk Factors of Work-related Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in Male Shipyard Workers: Structural Equation Model Analysis

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to develop a model describing the interaction between lifestyle, job, and postural factors and parts of the upper extremities in shipyard workers. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was given to 2,140 workers at a shipyard in Ulsan City. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the subjects' general characteristics, lifestyle, tenure, physical burden, job control, posture and musculoskeletal symptoms. The overall relationship between variables was analyzed by a structural equation model (SEM). RESULTS: The positive rate of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms increased in employees who worked longer hours, had severe physical burden, and did not have any control over their job. Work with a more frequent unstable posture and for longer hours was also associated with an increased positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that unstable posture and physical burden were closely related to the positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms after controlling for age, smoking, drinking, exercise, tenure, and job control. In SEM analysis, work-related musculoskeletal disease was influenced directly and indirectly by physical and job stress factors, lifestyle, age, and tenure (p < 0.05). The strongest correlations were found between physical factors and work-related musculoskeletal disease. CONCLUSION: The model in this study provides a better approximation of the complexity of the actual relationship between risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Among the variables evaluated in this study, physical factors (work posture) had the strongest association with musculoskeletal disorders.

The Relationship of Serum CEA Levels and Type of Work in Shipyard Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Benign conditions have been known to cause an increase in the levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen, a level change that is often associated with an increase in the occurrence of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between serum CEA levels and type of work in shipyard workers. METHODS: From July-August 2007, 637 study subjects were enrolled into the study with the following characteristics: age 37~58 years, healthy shipyard workers, and who undergone an examination in a general hospital. Data on general characteristics was gathered from self-administered questionnaires. Information on job factors was collected from company personnel data. Serum CEA levels were measured after 10 hours'fasting. RESULTS: The level of mean serum CEA was 1.83+/-1.20 ng/mL. On univariate analysis, the mean CEA level was significantly higher in older age groups (P<0.05), current smokers, lower education, and in production workers (P<0.01). After adjusting for age, BMI, cigarette smoking, job pattern, and educational level, the serum CEA level was higher in production workers than in office workers(P<0.01). This is particularly true in the shipyard painters, who had the highest level of CEA across job groups. CONCLUSIONS: The goal of this was to determine if there were differences in serum CEA levels according to occupational role in shipyard workers. Production shipyard workers had relatively higher level of serum CEA than office workers, most likely due to occupational exposure. This serum CEA level is influenced by occupation role. Serum CEA level could be a parameter for evaluating pollutant effects.

The Prevalence of Asbestos Exposure-induced Pleural Thickening on Chest Radiograph in Repairing Shipyard Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the prevalence of asbestos exposure-induced pleural thickening on chest radiograph in repairing shipyard workers. METHODS: A total of 2,114 incumbent and retired workers in a shipyard underwent chest radiograph, questionnaire study, interview, and physical exam from 2005 to 2007. Finally, 1,702 workers were selected and classified into two groups according to asbestos exposure: exposure and non-exposure groups. The characteristics in the exposure group were investigated. RESULTS: The prevalence of pleural thickening on chest radiograph was 5.2 % and 3.1 % in the exposure and non-exposure groups, respectively (p<0.05). In those aged 50 years or above, the prevalence was 17.6 % and 8.7 % in the exposure and non-exposure groups, respectively (p<0.05). The prevalence was 16.5 % and 30.2 % and the odds ratio was 2.34 (95% CI; 1.15-4.77) and 2.95 (95%CI; 1.08-8.07) in the workers with an exposure duration of 20-29 years and more than 30 years, respectively. The prevalence was higher when considering tuberculosis history. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence was increased with increasing exposure duration was more than 20 years. The authors therefore suggest that this group should be followed up periodically by special program and that a longitudinal study with repairing shipyard workers as the cohort should be undertaken.

The Prevalence of Asbestos Exposure-induced Pleural Thickening on Chest Radiograph in Repairing Shipyard Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the prevalence of asbestos exposure-induced pleural thickening on chest radiograph in repairing shipyard workers. METHODS: A total of 2,114 incumbent and retired workers in a shipyard underwent chest radiograph, questionnaire study, interview, and physical exam from 2005 to 2007. Finally, 1,702 workers were selected and classified into two groups according to asbestos exposure: exposure and non-exposure groups. The characteristics in the exposure group were investigated. RESULTS: The prevalence of pleural thickening on chest radiograph was 5.2 % and 3.1 % in the exposure and non-exposure groups, respectively (p<0.05). In those aged 50 years or above, the prevalence was 17.6 % and 8.7 % in the exposure and non-exposure groups, respectively (p<0.05). The prevalence was 16.5 % and 30.2 % and the odds ratio was 2.34 (95% CI; 1.15-4.77) and 2.95 (95%CI; 1.08-8.07) in the workers with an exposure duration of 20-29 years and more than 30 years, respectively. The prevalence was higher when considering tuberculosis history. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence was increased with increasing exposure duration was more than 20 years. The authors therefore suggest that this group should be followed up periodically by special program and that a longitudinal study with repairing shipyard workers as the cohort should be undertaken.

A Case of Lung Cancer Caused by Long-Term Asbestos Exposure / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of lung cancer caused by long-term asbestos exposure in a shipyard. METHODS: We evaluated chest X-ray, pulmonary function test, and chest CT and analyzed asbestos concentration in the lung tissue and bulk sample from the workplace. We also performed a workplace survey. RESULTS: The patient had worked at the shipyard for 31 years. The biopsy samples were processed to determine the asbestos content in the lung tissue and bulk sample using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The TEM-EDX analysis revealed many asbestos fibers, the majority of which were amosite. In addition, the concentration asbestos fibers in the workplace exceeded the occupational exposure limits of asbestos. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strongly suggest that this patient's lung cancer was related to the long-term asbestos exposure.

Risk Factors Related to Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Shipyard Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders in shipyard workers. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was performed on 2,140 shipyard workers in a shipyard in Ulsan city. The questionnaire consisted of questions on the general characteristics, the health behavior, work type and duration, physical burden, job control, type of instruments used, posture, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Definition of musculoskeletal disorders was based on either NIOSH criteria and Kim's criteria. RESULTS: Positive rate of musculoskeletal disorders in any one part of the body was 77.2% by NIOSH criteria and 60.7% by Kim's criteria. Positive rate of the symptoms increased in workers with longer work hours, with a severe physical burden, and without any control over their job. Work with a more frequent unstable posture and for longer hours was also associated with increased musculoskeletal symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that unstable posture and physical burden is closely related to the positive rate of musculoskeletal symptoms after controlling for age, smoking, drinking, exercise, duration of work, and job control; showing a good dose-response relationship. CONCLUSION: Inadequate posture and physical burden were the most significant factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders in shipyard workers in this study. Therefore, it will be necessary to make efforts to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to a specific job, instrument, physical burden, and posture. Workers should be educated on the types and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, how to improve the ergonomic occupational environment and to set up preventive measures against the risk factors during work.

Risk Factors of Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Ship-yard Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTS: This study was conducted to prepare the primitive data of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among ship-yard workers in order to set up management and prevention strategies by investigating the risk factors for WMSD symptoms. METHODS: We carried out a self-administered questionnaire survey of 7,237 blue-collar workers during October 2001, in a ship-yard of Kyungsangnam Province. We collected 2,223 questionnaires and analysed 1,985. The questionnaires included demographic data, quick exposure check (QEC) for ergonomic risk factors, and Karasek's job content questionnaires (JCQ) for job stress. WMSDs were evaluated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveillance criteria. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between risk factors and musculoskeletal symptoms. From the results, significant variables were age, maximum weight of manual handling material, frequency of the back movement during manual handling tasks, deviation or bending of the wrists/hands position, excessively bent or twisted head/neck, job dissatisfaction, and high job demand. CONCLUSIONS: In order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders of ship-yard workers, it is recommended to reduce the frequency of back movement during manual handling tasks, wrists/hand deviation or bending, and neck bending or twisting. In addition, devoted effort is needed to increase job satisfaction and to reduce job demand.

Characteristics and Affecting Factors of Tinnitus in Noise Exposed Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus is a relatively common complaint of workers who are exposed to noise. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus as well as the factors related to the prevalence of tinnitus. METHODS: A cross-sectional audiologic survey was combined with a questionnaire on tinnitus in a stratified random sample of 246 shipyard workers who had long-term exposure to noise. RESULTS: Forty seven had tinnitus, giving a prevalence of 19.1 percent. The tinnitus was the here and now in 44.7 percent of cases, bilateral in 51.1 percent, and caused sleep disturbances in 12.8 percent. The prevalence of tinnitus was highest in shipfitters and those with longer exposure duration.The workers with tunnitus had consistently higher hearing thresholds at both high and low frequencies than those with no tinnitus.The workers with tinnitus had a significantly higher prevalence of hearing disorders such as conductive hearing loss, a C5-dip, and NIHL.Multivariative logistic regression indicated that past history of ear disease, working and military service exposure to noise were independently associated with tinnitus. The adjusted odds ratio estimates for tinnitus were 3.0 times greater (95%CI 1.4-6.4) for the group with a past history of ear diseases,2.3 times greater (95%CI 1.0-5.0) for the military noise exposed group,and 4.5 times greater (95%CI 1.8-11.1) for the working noise exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence that reports of tinnitus at the time of the annual audiometric testing may be useful in identifying workers at greater risk of developing significant shifts in their hearing thresholds. An awareness of the possible occurrence of tinnitus may encourage workers to cooperate more actively in a company's hearing conservation program.

Characteristics of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Effect of Intervention Program in Shipyard Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate the characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the effect of intervention program in shipyard workers. METHODS: Information on work related absences,due to musculoskeletal disorders, were collected between January, 1 2000 and August, 31 2002. Age, duration of work, job type, anatomical site of disease, cause and duration of absence due to sickness were investigated. RESULTS: From a total of 158 cases there were 108(68.4%)and 50(31.6%)cases of back, and other musculoskeletal complaints,respectively. 55(34.8%)of the cases were caused by repetitive trauma and 103(65.2%)were due to non-repetitive causes. 90(83.3%)of the back complaint cases were due to non-repetitive causes, but there was a repetitive cause of other musculoskeletal complaints in 37(74.0%)cases. Back complaints were higher in workers carrying heavy materials, but other musculoskeletal complaints were higher in painting workers.Half of workers after an absence due to sickness had returned to work within 32.0 weeks and 25.4 weeks,in the cases of back and other musculoskeletal complaints, respectively. After the application of an intervention program for musculoskeletal disease, the incidence rate of absence due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders was reduced significantly. CONCLUSION: The introduction of a musculoskeletal intervention program reduced absences due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

An Evaluation of the Ventilatory Function in Shipyard Welders Using the Lifetime Cumulative Exposure to Welding Fumes / 대한산업의학회지

Objectives:This study was conducted to evaluate the ventilatory function in shipyard welders using the lifetime cumulative exposure to welding fumes. METHODS: Ventilatory function tests were performed on 241 male welders at one large shipyard,exposed to welding fumes for over five years,and was compared to 80 male control subjects. Ventilatory function indices, such as forced vital capacity(FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume(FEV 1), ratio of FEV 1 to FVC(FEV 1%), maximal mid-expiratory flow(MMF), peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR)and maximal expiratory flow at 50 and 75% of expired FVC(FEF50 and FEF75), were obtained by analyzing forced expiratory spirograms and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves that were simultaneously measured by an Impulse ocillometry(IOS)program in the standing position. RESULTS: FEF50 and FEF75 expressed as a percentage of the predicted values were significantly lower in the exposure group than in the controls, and the MMF tended to decrease.The means of all the ventilatory indices,expressed as percentage of the predicted values, were not significantly increased at the current exposure levels. The MMF, FEF50 and FEF75, expressed as a percentage of the predicted values, were significantly decreased with an increase in exposure duration.Only the FEF75 , expressed as a percentage of the predicted value, was significantly decreased with an increase in the cumulativeexposure to welding fumes(C1). The FEF75, expressed as a percentage of the predicted value, was significantly decreased with an increase in the cumulative exposure to welding fumes(C2). The above parameters were calculated to consider the current exposure level, exposure duration, application of the ventilatory system, production rate, personal protection evice, electrode and welding wire. The MMF and FEF50, expressed as a percentage of the predicted value, tended to decrease. The proportion of workers with abnormal MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 were significantly increased with an increase in the cumulative exposure to welding fumes(C2). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that the MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 are sensitive and practical indices for the evaluation of the ventilatory function of workers exposed to welding fumes, when the lifetime cumulative exposure(C2) is considered as a factor affecting exposure.

The relationship between the utilization of health center and exposed amount to solvent by using cumulative exposure index / 예방의학회지

This study was conducted in order to clarify the factors affecting the number of utilization to health center for the shipyard workers who have been work in exposed environment to solvent. At first the tendencies of the number of utilization to health center in accordance with cumulative exposure(CE), lifetime weighted average exposure(LWAE), one's place of duty, work contents, states of using safety apparatus, the degree of the knowledge on handling solvents, exposure year. 1) The increase in the cumulative exposure(CE) was significantly higher in the number of utilization to health center. The group with longer exposure year showed significantly higher number of utilization to health center(p<0.01). Considering the work contents such as power blasting, spray, mixing and touch-up, the group of touch-up showed higher number of utilization to health center and this difference was statistically significant(p<0.001). Those who were not using the safety apparatus, showed higher number of utilization to health center, which was statistically significant(p<0.05). The degree of the knowledge on handling the solvent had no relation with using health center. 2) The results conducted from this study by multiple regression analysis in clarifying the factors affecting the number of utilization to health center, CE, exposure year and using safety apparatus was significant factor in utilization of health center.

A Study on the Size of Dust in Workplaces of a Shipyard / 예방의학회지

To obtain the basic information that can be used as a factor for explaining the diversity of welders' pneumoconiosis, the authors measured the concentrations of dust according to the size of dust in 71 workplaces of a shipyard where welders' pneumoconiosis have occurred. The concentrations of dust according to the size of dust showed no difference between workplaces regardless of kinds of work.

Evaluation of Health Exams on Local Vibration Illness among Shipyard Workers / 대한산업의학회지

A hand-arm vibration syndrome, local vibration illness, occurs in some workers who use hand held vibration tools. It consists of white fingers, diffusely distributed finger neuropathy, pain in the hand and arm, and a small excess risk of osteoarthritis. This study is aimed to identify effective methods to confirm local vibration illness among various health exams, which are mentioned in worker's special health exam regulation. In addition, this study is aimed to quantitatively assess the daily vibration exposure level as a major determinant of vibration illness. The subjects, 46 vibration workers, were selected according to the results of the first special health exam about vibration hazards at shipbuilding industry in 1997. They all had experiences of work related blanching of fingers. Fifteen controls, who had no vibration exposure at all, were also recruited to compare their test results with the results of vibration workers. We adopted 1 subjective and 6 objective tests to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility for confirming local vibration illness. These tests were history taking of subjective symptoms according to the Stockholm classification, checking blood pressure of finger, checking grasp power, checking finger skin temperature, nail-bed pressing test, vibration perceptional threshold test, and skin prick test for pain perception. Among these, checking skin temperature, nail-bed pressing test, and vibration perception test included cold water provocations. We also estimated some vibration exposure levels of hand held vibration tools by using previously published data from one automobile company. In conclusion, history taking of subjective symptoms according to the Stockholm classification, nail-bed pressing test, and vibration perceptional threshold test were discovered to be effective to diagnose local vibration illness. Furthermore, vibration perceptional threshold on right fingers showed a dose-response relationship to daily vibration exposure levels. The parameter beta was 0.0005(+/-0.0002), and statistically significant by REM (random effects model).

Cumulative Trauma Disorders Among Shipyard Workers and Application of Baseline Checklist for Risk Assessment / 대한산업의학회지

Cumulative trauma disorders were surveyed in a cross-sectional study of 100 male ship yard workers and 43 male office workers. And baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders was applicated in a ship making process. Cases of cumulative trauma disorders were defined using physical examinations and electronic diagnostic methods. Data on demographics, individual factors (medical condition), work organization and psychosocial aspects of work were obtained by questionnaire. Association between the above factors and cumulative trauma disorders were assessed by multiple logistic regression models. 29(29 %) participants of male shipyard workers and 4(9.2 %) study subjects of male office workers met our case definitions for cumulative trauma disorders. The myofascial pain syndrome of neck muscles(12 % of participants) and carpal tunnel syndrome(5 % of participants) were the major two medical conditions in shipyard workers. The odds of male shipyard workers for cumulative trauma disorders to male office workers was 3.15 after adjustment of age(95 % C.I. :2.25-5.44). And the variables such as duration of present job, HIVD condition, and surges in workload were associated at least one of the cumulative trauma disorders in the final models (p<0.05) . This study indicates that work related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are relatively common among shipyard workers, and shows that the psychosocial factors is not likely to be related to the occur rences of these disorders in heavy workers. Also we developed baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders. The checklist was unique in that its expected users were industrial hygienists and occupational healthing nurses who did not have much ergonomic background and in that it was targeted to Korean workers in various types. As the first application of the checklist, shipyard workers were evaluated.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders Among Shipyard Workers and Application of Baseline Checklist for Risk Assessment / 대한산업의학회지

Cumulative trauma disorders were surveyed in a cross-sectional study of 100 male ship yard workers and 43 male office workers. And baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders was applicated in a ship making process. Cases of cumulative trauma disorders were defined using physical examinations and electronic diagnostic methods. Data on demographics, individual factors (medical condition), work organization and psychosocial aspects of work were obtained by questionnaire. Association between the above factors and cumulative trauma disorders were assessed by multiple logistic regression models. 29(29 %) participants of male shipyard workers and 4(9.2 %) study subjects of male office workers met our case definitions for cumulative trauma disorders. The myofascial pain syndrome of neck muscles(12 % of participants) and carpal tunnel syndrome(5 % of participants) were the major two medical conditions in shipyard workers. The odds of male shipyard workers for cumulative trauma disorders to male office workers was 3.15 after adjustment of age(95 % C.I. :2.25-5.44). And the variables such as duration of present job, HIVD condition, and surges in workload were associated at least one of the cumulative trauma disorders in the final models (p<0.05) . This study indicates that work related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are relatively common among shipyard workers, and shows that the psychosocial factors is not likely to be related to the occur rences of these disorders in heavy workers. Also we developed baseline checklist for risk assessment of cumulative trauma disorders. The checklist was unique in that its expected users were industrial hygienists and occupational healthing nurses who did not have much ergonomic background and in that it was targeted to Korean workers in various types. As the first application of the checklist, shipyard workers were evaluated.