Safety and Health at Work  2016;7(4):389-393

doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2016.05.003

Job Hazard Analyses for Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Factors in Pressing Operations of Dry-cleaning Establishments.

Jung Keun PARK 1

Affiliations

+expand

Keywords

awkward posture; dry-cleaning; job hazard analysis; musculoskeletal disorder risk factor; repetitive motion

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Job hazard analyses were conducted to assess exposure to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk factors in seven workers of three dry-cleaning establishments. In accordance with the Washington State Ergonomics Rule, the analyses were performed in two separate steps: (1) observation and checklist approaches were made to identify a “caution zone job” in the seven workers' pressing operations across the three shops; and (2) detailed posture and motion analyses were undertaken to determine a “MSD hazard” in one worker's operation using a video technique. One “caution zone job” was identified and it was the pressing operation job in which five physical risk factors were found in the pressing operations. The detailed analyses confirmed that one “MSD hazard”, i.e., awkward posture in shoulders, was prevalent in the pressing operations of the three dry-cleaning facilities. It would be desirable to reduce MSD risk factors including awkward shoulder posture in the dry-cleaning industry.