OBJECTIVES: Absenteeism due to musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) of workers is an important index of occupational health. Since research on its causes is rare in Korea, the risk factors for absenteeism due to MSDs should be studied. METHODS: Using the 2nd Korean working condition survey data, we investigated the prevalence of absenteeism due to MSDs. We also analyzed the risk factors for absenteeism by multiple logistic regression analysis in Korean employees. RESULTS: Prevalence of absenteeism due to MSDs was 0.7% in all employees, 0.5% in men, and 0.9% in women. In logistic regression analysis, gender, age, presence of a representative worker organization, working on tight deadlines, and pace of work dependent on automated equipment/machine were risk factors of absenteeism due to MSDs for both sexes. For males, working time, working at a very high speed were additional risk factors. For females, pace of work dependent on numerical production, performance, and targets were additional risk factors. Although not included in the multiple logistic regression analysis, handling heavy loads in both sexes and average monthly income for women were risk factors in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: For absenteeism due to MSDs, the presence of a representative worker organization, along with work pace and its determinants were important risk factors.
Absenteeism ; Female ; Handling (Psychology) ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Occupational Health ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the associations between enterprise-scale levels, the information supplied regarding workplace safety and health, and occupational injury and disease using a nationally representative sample of Korean workers. METHODS: We used data from the '2006 Working Condition Survey' performed by the Korean Occupational Safety & Health Agency. Demographic variables, employment characteristics, workplace hazards, enterprise-scale levels, information supplied regarding workplace safety and health, and occupational injury and disease were included for the study. RESULTS: Subjects who had high incomes, or who were male, full-time workers, or shift workers were more likely to provide safety and health information at work, compared to other workers' groups. The larger the enterprise-scale level, the more likely they would offer information on safety and health at work. Workers who worked in small companies, especially those with less than 10 employees, were the most likely respondents to provide safety and health information. In the corresponding logistic regression, the presence of occupational injuries and disease was significantly associated with the provision of health and safety information, the enterprise-scale level had little correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the provision of health and safety information is a critical factor regarding occupational injuries and disease. Proper safety and health education, even in small companies, may contribute to a decrease in occupational disease and injury.
Data Collection ; Employment ; Health Education ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Health ; Occupational Injuries

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in university hospital healthcare workers and to evaluate the job-related factors that affect musculoskeletal symptoms. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to health care workers who work at the university hospital. The self-reported questionnaire included the following information: general characteristics, health behaviors, job-related factors, depression symptom, ergonomic factor, job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Ergonomic factor was measured by ANSI Z-365, depression symptom by CES-D, job stress by KOSS-26 and musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1,198(64.2%) of 1,842 respondents answered and 1,183 were included in the final study population. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 53.3%. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms of males and females was 25.6% and 63.9%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, total job stress score(OR=3.05, 95% CI=1.62~5.74), depression symptom(OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.07~4.43), ANSI Z-365 high risk group(OR=5.33, 95% CI=2.08~13.66) in males and total job stress score(OR=2.14, 95% CI=1.53~3.00), three-shift work(OR=1.81, 95% CI=1.26~2.60), nurses(OR=1.82, 95% CI=1.22~2.73), and ANSI Z-365 high risk group(OR=3.33, 95% CI=1.58~7.03) in females were significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Shift work, nurses, ANSI Z-365 high risk group, depression symptom and job stress were related with musculoskeletal symptoms. In order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomic improvements and stress reduction are required.
Data Collection ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The cold provocation test for diagnosing the vascular component in hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is likely to be accepted as an objective test, and a few studies have been performed. However, controversy has continued regarding the diagnostic performance of this method. Although objective methods such as plethysmography and laser doppler flowmetry have been studied, they have not received as much attention as other diagnostic methods. Therefore, our study aim was to spread the awareness of HAVS by reporting the results of the cold provocation test in a hand-transmitted vibration exposure group. METHODS: The study subjects were 549 workers who had been exposed to hand-transmitted vibrations and reported symptoms in their hands. While the subject immersed both their hands in 10degrees C water for 10 minutes, the skin temperature of 10 fingers was recorded from pre-immersion time to 20 minute postimmersion including 10 minutes immersion time. The recovery rates were calculated from the recorded skin temperatures. The 'decreased recovery rate' criteria were less than 30% at 5 minutes post-immersion and 60% at 10 minute post-immersion. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 69.1% and 30.9% had more severe symptoms in the right and left hands, respectively. The mean finger skin temperature of the right hand after cold-water immersion for 10 minutes was approximately 10degrees C, which increased gradually with time, but they did not reach the baseline temperature at 20 minutes post-immersion. The deviations of the skin temperature in the subjects were higher in the recovery phase than in the baseline and cold immersion phase. The 3rd finger of both hands showed the lowest 5-minute recovery rate among the fingers examined, and the left 4th finger and right 3rd finger showed the lowest 10-minute recovery rate. Of the subjects, 37.6% and 10.4% of subjects showed a lower recovery rate at 5 and 10 minutes in at least one finger, respectively, while 10.2% showed a lower recovery rate at both 5 and 10 minutes simultaneously in at least one finger. CONCLUSIONS: The larger deviations in the recovery phase than in the other phases indicated that interindividual differences are more prominent in the recovery phase. There might be no benefit in observing the finger skin temperature for an additional 10 minutes after 10 minutes post-immersion. Overall, approximately 10% of the subjects in the HAVS risk group had HAVS.
Cold Temperature ; Fingers ; Hand ; Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome ; Immersion ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Plethysmography ; Skin Temperature ; Vibration ; Water

OBJECTIVES: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the upper and lower motor neuron of the brain and spinal cord, leading ultimately to death due to respiratory failure in most cases. The etiology of ALS is currently unknown, but several studies show that lead exposure might be one of the potential environmental causes of ALS. In this perspective, we introduce a case involving an ALS patient exposed to lead while maintaining mechanical equipment in a waste treatment plant. METHODS: The patient was interviewed and his medical records were investigated to confirm the final diagnosis of ALS. The results of his health examination and working environment measurement were reviewed in order to evaluate the relation of his work with ALS. We also performed an analysis of lead concentration from samples taken from his workplace when we visited the plant to survey the work environment. RESULTS: Based on the patient's clinical information, work environment, relatively high level of blood lead concentration, and several studies proposing the occupational relationship between lead and ALS, his ALS may possibly have been caused by lead exposure at his workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Given the recent situation where the causal association between lead exposure and ALS is still unclear, this case report could be used as a basis to support the relevance of lead exposure with ALS, and to help improve the health and work environment of other workers who are likely to be exposed to lead.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; Brain ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Motor Neurons ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Plants ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Spinal Cord

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the only case of occupational erythema multiforme was found to be due to Bolivian rosewood, but there has been no case due to occupational chemicals in the manufacturing industry. Here, we report a case of erythema multiforme caused by dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine(DCB) in a dye worker. CASE REPORT: We report a 43-year-old male worker manifesting erythema multiforme-like skin lesions during the DCB synthesis, The patient's dermatitis was relieved when he avoided the process, and it became aggravated when he restarted his work. Patch and prick tests confirmed positive irritant reactions to two chemicals. CONCLUSION: This case was diagnosed as erythema multiforme based on clinical manifestations. Symptoms worsened upon exposure to chemicals while avoiding exposure improved symptoms. Skin test results showed that dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine induced irritant reactions. We assume that erythema multiforme occurring in workers is an occupational skin disease likely caused by dichlone and 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine.
3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine ; Adult ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Erythema ; Erythema Multiforme ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Naphthoquinones ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVES: To report upon a case of toxic hepatitis in a worker exposed to chloroform. METHODS: A 28-year-old female who had worked as chemical analysis engineer in a laboratory using chloroform was hospitalized due to nausea, vomiting and generalized weakness. The authors evaluated her using blood tests, abdominal CT scan and her occupational history. RESULTS: The blood tests revealed acute toxic hepatitis. Other causes of hepatitis such as viral, drug induced or alcoholic hepatitis could be excluded. But autoimmune hepatitis couldn't be totally ruled out(ANA (++), IgG(serum) 1780 mg/dL). After admission, her symptoms improved and her liver enzyme levels(AST and ALT) were markedly reduced. She returned to her workplace after discharge. Afterwards, however, her liver enzyme levels increased again one week after returning to her workplace. Subsequent to a job change, her liver enzyme levels reduced and normalized after eight weeks. The airbone laboratory chloroform ranged from 3.155 to 9.037 ppm. CONCLUSIONS: The authors presume that this patient's liver injury was related to an interaction of chloroform toxicity and a predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis. The rapid improvement of the clinical symptoms and the progressive normalization of the liver function tests once the chloroform exposure eliminated supports the diagnosis.
Adult ; Chloroform ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis, Alcoholic ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Function Tests ; Nausea ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVES: Occupational health and safety guidelines have the goals of protecting workers, helping them to adapt to their working environment, and to promote their health and ability. In the work fitness evaluations done by occupational medicine doctors, one of their subjective duties is to assess a worker's working ability so as not to affect the health of the worker or his/her co-workers. A worker's functional capacity and reasonable accommodations should be considered. We studied a case regarding cerebral hemorrhage and muscle weakness after renal disease. CASE: This patient was a male who worked at a tobacco company. He suffered from acute renal failure in 2003. In 2004, during his treatment, a convulsion-seizure occurred. This patient had non-specific findings in family history, blood studies, urinary analysis, mental status examination, and showed no signs of depression. There was a decrease in muscle power found during a physical examination. As a result, an occupational and environmental doctor and an industrial hygienist went to the worker's company in order to analyze the workers tasks. They concluded that there were some problems regarding the worker' s daily activities. When considering reasonable accommodation it was determined that such cases could work in the qualify control department instead of current job, assembly department. CONCLUSIONS: Throughout this case, we considered the work compatibility of the various complications arising from a cerebral hemorrhage and convulsion-seizure disease which occurred to a factory worker who suffered from acute renal failure. We recommend it essential to create work compatibility guidelines regarding this case presentations, ensuring consistency to the efforts made by health care workers and physicians.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Occupational Health ; Occupational Medicine ; Physical Examination ; Stress, Psychological ; Stroke ; Tobacco

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy affects an individual's ability to work as well as their daily activities. Patients with epilepsy have difficulties in finding and maintaining jobs, and they may not have opportunities to perform adequately. Therefore, evaluation of work-fitness is important for patients with epilepsy. In this report, the authors reviewed a case of epilepsy and discussed aspects of the case for evaluation of work-fitness. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old man with epilepsy visited the hospital for evaluation of work-fitness. His job consisted of forklift driving and crane operation using a remote control. As a seizure attack could threaten worker's safety, we recommended a job change. The employer refused to approve a job change due to the company's circumstances, so we recommended several conditions, including continuous medication, use of protective equipment, restriction of night-shift work, restriction of strenuous exercise, and profound sleep. An epilepsy event occurred during the follow-up period, prompting his company to evaluate his work. There were frequent movements of forklift operations and workers in the workplace, so we recommended restriction of forklift driving and a job change if possible. As a result, the employer changed his job and we recommended "capable of performing work without any conditions". CONCLUSION: For evaluation of work-fitness in patients with epilepsy, adequate job analysis, assessment of patient's medical conditions, and interviews of coworker and employers should be conducted. It is also important to let the employer make the best decision in terms of the patient's health and coworker's safety.
Adult ; Epilepsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Linear Energy Transfer ; Seizures ; Work Capacity Evaluation

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to explore the association between shift work and the bone mineral density in a representative sample of Korean workers. METHODS: He data from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2009) was used. The participants were Korean workers aged 16 to 60 years. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the association between shift work and the bone mineral density after controlling for covariates using the SAS version 9.3 package program. RESULTS: The blood vitamin D level in shift workers was significantly lower than that of day workers in both males and females. In male shift workers, shift work was significantly associated with a decreased bone mineral density in the femoral neck (odds ratio(OR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval(CI)=1.05~1.92) and lumbar spine (OR 1.53, 95% CI=1.09~2.15) compared to day workers. After controlling for covariates, this association was still significant. In the case of female shift workers, shift work was significantly related to a decreased bone mineral density in the total femur (OR 2.84, 95% CI=1.69~4.79) and lumbar spine (OR 1.58, 95% CI=1.12~2.24). After controlling for covariates, this risk was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The blood vitamin D level of shift workers was significantly lower than that of day workers. In male shift workers, shift work can decrease the bone mineral density in the femoral neck and lumbar spine. Prospective studies with information on the shift work intensity and duration and exposuredata to explain mechanisms will be needed.
Aged ; Bone Density ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Phenothiazines ; Spine ; Vitamin D ; Work Schedule Tolerance