Objective: To survey the prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and to analyze the ergonomic factors in the paper reviewing workers.
Method: Five hundreds and twenty subjects of paper reviewers were collected from 'National Medical Insurance Association' who had been exposed to risky working environment regarding CTDs. The subjects were first screened by occupational medicine specialists and confirmed by physiatrist. The subjects were also examined by serologic test, radiologic imaging, and electrodiagnostic study. Ergonomists analyzed the job element to identify the risk factors by baseline checklist of CTDs.
Results: Among the workers, 51 (9.8%) of 520 were confirmed to CTDs, the prevalance of myofascial pain syndrome was 22 (43.1%), that of medial epicondylitis was 13 (25.5)%, lateral epicondylitis 8 (15.7%) and others. Pain scale of National Industrial Occupational Safety Health Institute symtoms criteria was highest in the shoulder girdle and the next was in the neck, in the wirst and fingers. The ergonomic risk score was highest 2.56 in the 'verifying' job, and the next 2.20 in 'the 2nd examination' job and 'the 1st examination' job, 1.72 in 'correcting' job.
Conclusion: The result would be helpful for the prevention and management of CTDs in the paper reviewing workers.
Objective: To survey the prevalence of Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and to analyze the ergonomic factors among the bank workers and post officers.
Method: Seventy seven subjects were collected from bank workers (50) and post officers (27) from the multiple areas of country who had been exposed to risky working environment regarding CTDs. The subjects were first screened by occupational medicine specialists and confirmed by rehabilitation medicine specialist. The serologic test, radiologic imaging, electrodiagnostic study were performed in all the subjects. Ergonomists analyzed the job element to identify the risk factors by baseline checklist of CTDs.
Results: Among bank workers, 30 (60%) of 50 were confirmed as having CTDs. MPS was present in 30 patients (60%), latenl epicondylitis in 5 (10%), medial epicondylitis in 3 (6.0%), tendinitis 3 (6.0%), and other disease in 3 (6.0%). Among post officers, 14 (51.9%) of 27 were confirmed as having CTDs. MPS present in 10 (37.0%), cervical disc disease in 4 (14.8%), others in 4 (14.8%). The ergonomic risk score was highest 1.87 in the 'package deviding' job, and 1.82 in 'bagging to cart', 1.62 in 'initial devision'.
Conclusion: The result would be helpful for the prevention and management of CTDs in the bank workers and post officers.