Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

The relationship between chronotypes and musculoskeletal problems in male automobile manufacturing workers: Suwhan Kim, Won-Ju Park, Seunghyeon Cho, Dae-Young Lim, Yeongjae Yoo, Hyeonjun Kim, Wonyang Kang, Kyung Wook Kang, Jai-Dong Moon; Ann Occup Environ Med 2021;33:e26. Published online August 13, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2021.33.e26

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Background

Previous studies have shown that morning types are less sensitive to pain. This study aimed to examine the relationship between chronotypes and musculoskeletal problems in workers with musculoskeletal burdens at work.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 119 male production workers from a large automobile manufacturing plant. All the participants worked 2 shifts and worked on the automobile assembly line. Data were obtained using structured questionnaires, including the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), and musculoskeletal symptom questionnaire. Participants with an rMEQ score of 18 points or more were defined as morning-type workers (MTWs). Participants whose scores were less than 18 points were defined as neither-type workers (NTWs).

Results

The arithmetic mean age was 51.8 ± 5.3 years. MTWs and NTWs accounted for 35.3% and 64.7% of the total participants, respectively. Evening- and intermediate-type workers accounted form 6.7% and 58.0% of the participants, respectively. There was no significant difference in the health indicators when the MTW and NTW groups were compared. However, the musculoskeletal symptom questionnaire demonstrated a significant difference between the MTW and NTW groups. In the preceding year, the MTW group had significantly lower musculoskeletal pain and treatment ratios compared to the NTW group (35.7% vs. 62.3%, p = 0.005 and 14.3% vs. 32.5%, p = 0.031, respectively). After adjusting for variables, the odds ratio (OR) for musculoskeletal pain was significantly higher in the NTW group than in the MTW group (OR, 3.112; 95% confidence interval, 1.285–7.535; p = 0.012).

Conclusions

In this study, the musculoskeletal pain ratio was significantly lower for MTWs when compared to NTWs. Chronotypes could play an important role in work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Further, larger-scale, follow-up studies on chronotypes are required to assist in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in future.

자동차 생산 남성 근로자에서 일주기성과 근골격계 통증과의 관련성
목적
사람의 심리적, 신체적 상태는 하루 주기에 따라 변화하며 일주기성에 따라 각 개인이 선호하는 최적의 활동시간대에 차이가 있다. 기존 연구들은 이러한 개인의 일주기성에 따라 통증에 대한 민감도의 차이를 보인다는 결과를 제시하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 근골격계 부담작업을 수행하는 생산직 남성 근로자를 대상으로 개인의 일주기성을 파악하고 근골격계 통증과의 관련성을 살펴보고자 하였다.
방법
자동차 제조 공장에서 근무하는 남성 근로자 119명을 대상으로 단면 연구를 시행하였다. 모든 대상자는 2교대 형태로 조립공정에서 근무하였다. 단축형 아침형-저녁형 척도, 불면증 심각성 척도, 스트레스 척도 및 근골격계 증상 여부를 포함한 설문을 실시하였으며 혈액검사를 통해 건강지표를 확보하였다. 단축형 아침형-저녁형 척도가 18점 이상인 경우를 아침형 근로자로, 18점 미만인 경우를 비아침형 근로자로 정의하였다.
결과
아침형 근로자와 비아침형 근로자는 각각 전체 대상자의 35.3%와 64.7%를 차지했다. 아침형 근로자 군과 비아침형 근로자 군의 비교에서 체질량지수, 흡연, 음주, 운동, 고혈압, 당뇨병, 지질, 신장 기능, 코티솔, C 반응성 단백질, 평균 수면 시간, 수면 및 스트레스 점수에는 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 그러나 근골격계 증상 설문 중 최근 1년간 근골격계 통증 및 근골격계 치료 여부 비율에서 아침형 근로자 군과 비아침형 근로자 군 간의 유의한 차이가 관찰되었다(각각 35.7%대 62.3 %, p = 0.005 및 14.3%대 32.5%, p = 0.031). 변수를 보정한 후 근골격계 통증 발생의 오즈비는 아침형 근로자 군보다 비아침형 근로자 군에서 유의하게 높았다(오즈비 3.112, 95% 신뢰구간 1.285–7.535, p = 0.012).
결론
근골격계 질환은 업무상질병의 큰 비중을 차지하고 있으며 이를 예방하기위해 그 위험 요인에 대한 다각적 접근이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 비아침형 근로자 군에서 상대적으로 높은 근골격계 통증 비율을 확인하였으며, 이는 일주기성이 업무 관련 근골격계 질환에서 의미 있는 인자일 가능성을 시사한다. 이를 토대로 근골격계 질환의 예방을 위해 개인의 일주기성에 대한 개입이나 일주기성에 맞춘 업무환경개선과 같은 새로운 접근 방법이 고려될 수 있다. 향후 근골격계 질환의 예방을 위해 근로자의 일주기성에 관한 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것이다.

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Case Report

Case report of renal cell carcinoma in automobile manufacturing factory worker due to trichloroethylene exposure in Korea: June-Hee Lee, Inah Kim, Hongdeok Seok, Inhyo Park, Jungho Hwang, Jae-Oh Park, Jong-Uk Won, Jaehoon Roh; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:19. Published online August 3, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0068-x

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Background

The aim of this paper was report first case of renal cell carcinoma developed in a worker who worked in an automobile manufacture line which handles trichloroethylene in Korea.

Case presentation

To clarify the relationship between the onset of renal cell carcinoma in 52-years old male worker and the exposure to trichloroethylene, document studies and work environment measurement were done. Past work environment exposure data were reviewed and medical history and surgery records of the worker were also reviewed. The patient had no personal risk factor related to renal cell carcinoma except for his smoking habit of quarter a pack per day for twenty years, and since trichloroethylene was not part of measurement criteria, past work environment risk assessment data could not verify the exposure. The exposure level is deduced by analyzing material exposure level of work environments which has similar processes in data from revised research of chemical exposure standard and work environment validity assessment. Evaluation Committee of Epidemiologic Survey decided that there are relevant relationship between the exposure and the disease, though we do not have exact data during that period, most experts agree that in every factories they used trichloroethylene without any direction.

Conclusions

From the relevant medical history and the results of the usage of trichloroethylene in the relevant industries, and initial discovery of renal cell carcinoma at health inspection sonogram in 2001, it can be concluded that suggests significant causal relationship between the exposure to trichloroethylene and renal cell carcinoma onset, thus reporting it to be the first domestic case declared to be occupational disease.

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Original Article

The Comparison of Job Stress Factors, Psychosocial Stress and Their Association between Research and Manufacturing Workers in an Automobile Research and Developing Company: Hyunchul Ryou, Jeong Ok Kong, Hun Goo Lee, Soo Jin Lee, Sanghyo Chu, Yoonhee Jung, Jaechul Song; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(4):337-345. Published online December 31, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.4.337

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to investigate the job stress factors, psychosocial stress and their associations in workers engaged in the research and development of vehicles, and according to job role.
METHODS
We recruited 4,066 subjects from workers at a research and development center of an automobile company. A total of 2,764 workers answered the questionnaire about socio-demographic factors, health behaviors, work-related factors, subjective labor intensity, KOSS, and SF-PWI. The final analysis included 2,282 male manufacturing and research workers. Univariate analyses and multiple logistic analyses were conducted on the complete questionnaire data to compare the job stress factors, psychosocial stress and their associations between research and manufacturing workers.
RESULTS
The adjusted Odds ratios comparing the high risk group to the low risk group regarding PWI group were 2.23(95%CI=1.63-3.04) in "Lack of rewards", 1.64(95%CI=1.20-2.24) in "Interpersonal conflict", 1.59(95%CI=1.15- 2.20) in "Organizational injustice", 1.58(95%CI=1.17-2.14) in "Occupational climate" and 1.43(95%CI=1.05-1.94) in "Job insecurity" among research workers, and 2.46(95%CI=1.59 -3.80) in "Lack of rewards" and 1.94(95%CI=1.17-3.22) in "Organizational injustice" among manufacturing workers.
CONCLUSIONS
There are differences in job stress factors between research and manufacturing workers. Further studies and discussions based on quantitative methodology for seeking more fundamental causes of these differences are required to establish job stress intervention plans and policies.

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Original Article

Risk Factor Assessment Using Surface Electromyography and Electrogoniometer among Automobile Part Manufacturers: Dongmug Kang, Cheol Ho Yee, Yong Chul Shin, Eun A Kim, Ji Hoon Woo, Byung Mann Cho, Su Ill Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;17(4):267-277. Published online December 31, 2005; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2005.17.4.267

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
As automobile part manufacturing is characterized by high speed and high repetition, observation methods which are usually utilized for static posture are inappropriate to evaluate musculoskeleatal risk factors. This study quantified the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders on the forearm and suggested exposure limits by estimating the risk factors using surface electromyography (EMG) and electrogoniometer.
METHODS
Ten percent of the total workers at 3 automobile part manufacturing factories were randomly selected, and 99 male workers were recruited as study subjects. The study was conducted during May 2003 to September 2004. The workers were equipped with electrogoniometers on the wrist and the elbow, surface EMGs on the skin of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles, and the heart beat recorder during work as indicators of joint movement, local muscle tension and physical work load, respectively.
RESULTS
After controlling for age, body mass index and job stress, wrist flexion maximum angle, FDS relative activity (RA) and ECR RA were significantly associated with forearm musculoskeletal symptoms. The odds ratios of the forearm were 5.0(95% CI: 1.1-22.7), 14.0(95% CI: 1.5-128.8) and 7.3(95% CI: 1.1-49.4) for wrist flexion maximum angle more than 76 degrees, FDS RA more than 2.8%, and ECR RA more than 3.5%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Joint angle and focal muscle activity were associated with forearm musculoskeletal symptoms. To reduce forearm musculoskeletal symptoms among automobile part manufacturers, the wrist flexion angle, and FDS and ECR activity need to be reduced below the guidelines recommended in this study.

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Original Article

An Analysis of Industrial Accidents in an Automobile Factory: Kyung Jong Lee, Jae Beom Park, Ho Keun Chung, Jong Goo Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(1):119-127. Published online March 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.1.119

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To know the present conditions of industrial accidents in automobile factories in Korea and make the basic materials essential to prevention of industrial accidents METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed the records of industrial accidents occurred in an automobile factory in 1997 by time of occurrence, job categories(fixed production, skilled trades, mechanical material handling, and clerical 8r technical), type of injury, kind of accident, and location of injury.
RESULTS
1. By age groups, the accident rate was the highest in age 45-49(1.6 %o) followed by age 35-39(1.3 %), 40-44(0.9 %), 30-34(0.9 %), 25-29(0.6 %), and 20-24(0.4 %) and by working duration, it was highest in group of experience over 25 years, and so we could see that the more age or working duration increases the more accident rate increases. 2. By work time, the accident rate was the highest in 10-11 a.m. (21.4 %) followed by 2-3 p.m. (17.9%). By the day of the week, it was as follows, Friday(20.5%) Wednesday (17. 9%), Monday (16. 2 %), Thesday (15. 4 %), Saturday (12. 0 %), Thursday(11.1 %), Sunday(6.8 %) in order. By the month, it was high in May(17.9 %), March(11.1 %), and April(11.1 %) followed by August(10.3 %) and January(9.4 %), so we could see it was high in spring. 3. The most frequent injury was in the back by 41.0 % followed by 17 cases in fingers(14.5 %), legs(9.4 %), hands(7.7 %), head(6.0 %) in order. And by the type of injuries, the sprain was most frequent by 38. 5% followed by fracture(22. 2 %, lumbar HNP(11.1 %), and contusion(9.4 %) in order. The causes of accident were handling heavy materials(34.2 %), upset(17.1 %), stenosis(16.2 %), and falling(6.8 %) in order.
CONCLUSIONS
By the above results, to prevent the industrial accidents in automobile factories in Korea, preventive activities for handling heavy materials and back injury, and continuous industrial education are necessary.

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Original Article

Symptom Prevalence and Related Factors of Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Automobile Related Job Workers: Chul Soo Yoon, Se Hoon Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(4):439-448. Published online December 31, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.4.439

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of upper limb musculoskeltal symptoms among workers in automobile related jobs.
METHODS
Two-hundred and twenty-one workers were volunteered in this 'study consisting of 112 seat installers and 109 auto mechanics. A questionnaire was administered to the workers consisting of questions on demographics, work type and duration, sleep hours, health habits, and standardized descriptions of NJOSH on musculoskeletal symptoms.
RESULTS
Complaint rates of neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms by anatomical site were as follows: shoulder, 52.0%; neck, 47.1%; wrist and hand, 39.4 elbow, 26.2% and; arm, 24.4%. Significantly higher prevalence of shoulder musculoskele tal symptom was found in middle school than high school graduate, married than unmar ned, less than 6 hours sleep than over 6 hours sleep and, seat installer than auto mechanic group. A significantly higher prevalence of arm, elbow, hand and wrist mus loskeletal symptoms was disclosed in the less than 6 hours sleep than over 6 hours sleep group and the seat installer than the auto mechanic group. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified education, sleep hours and, job type as the main affecting factors for shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms. Sleep hours and job type were the main affecting factors for wrist and hand musculoskeletal symptoms. Sleep hours were the main affecting factors for arm and elbow musculoskeletal symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of neck and upper limb musculoskeletal symptoms was high in workers who did routine tasks at confined places like seat install-line work. It is recommended that workers performing simple and routine tasks be provided adequate sleep time since lack of sleep was the main affecting factor for most upper limb mus loskeletal symptoms in automobile factory related jobs workers.

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Original Article

Quantitative Sensory and Vascular Tests in the Assessment of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome: Seung Wan Kang, Eun Il Lee, Yong Tae Yum, Hae Joon Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1996;8(2):210-222. Published online September 30, 1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1996.8.2.210

Abstract PDF

This study was conducted on 103 male workers exposed to local vibration (exposure workers) and 23 male clergical workers not exposed to local vibration (reference workers) to evaluate the effect of local vibration in a automobile industry workers who had used vibratory tools such as electric bolt impacter or grinder. The assessment methods of this study were some tests recommended by Wasserman and Taylor. None of reference workers complained sensorineural symptoms, but 43.7% of exposed workers complained over one of those symptoms. The proportion of non-recovery type, which means that there was no full recovery of temperature of finger tips, was from 0% to 31. 3% in reference workers and from 10.7% to 15.5% in exposure workers. There was statistically significant difference of recovery time of plethysmogram after cold provocation between mean recovery time of 0.44 minutes in reference workers and that of 3.05 minutes in exposure workers. The proportion of bad plethysmogram was from 0% to 4.4% in reference workers and from 3.9% to 7.8% in exposure workers. There was statistically significant difference of discrimination sense between mean length of 2.04 mm in reference workers and that of 2.9 mm in exposure workers. There were also statistically significant difference of pain sense between mean weights of from 5.02 g to 5.26 g in reference workers and those of from 6.81 g to 7.6 g in exposure workers. By the results of multiple stepwise regression analysis the statistically significant variable affecting discrimination and pain sense was exposure and those affecting vibration sense were exposure and age. We concluded that exposure of local vibration in automobile workers was significaritly associated with decrease of sensorineural sense regardless of age and other, possible related variables.

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