Investigation of Musculoskeletal Burdened Hazard Factor and Cause according to Work Unit of Chemical Plant: Case Study

초록

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate precisely the hazard factors and causes of each work unit in the workers in chemical plant. Background: Due to the nature of the chemical plant, there was intermittent occurred the physical burdens during the period of checking, maintaining and repairing of production facilities. Therefore, these work units have high rates of the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, these work units not classified as a musculoskeletal burdened work. Method: This study evaluated the physical intensity and frequency of work units using hazard survey. Based on these results, a field survey conducted on hazardous work units with a score of 8 or more in the risk assessment (intensity x frequency) score. And we evaluated the hazard factor such as awkward posture, repetition, excessive force, contact stress and vibration. Results: There were analyzed to 16 hazardous work units of the total 120 work units. For the support division, the hazardous work units were computing and material arrangement. Major risk factors were analyzed as awkward posture, insufficient space and repetition. For the development and operation division, the hazardous work units were using of jockey, B/A carrying, strainer carrying and bulk leak cleaning. Major risk factors were analyzed as awkward posture, excessive force and repetition. For the laboratory division, the hazardous work units were water quality analysis and sieve test. Major risk factors were analyzed as awkward posture and repetition. For the safety & environment, engineering division, the hazardous work unit was computing. Major risk factors were analyzed as long time static posture and insufficient space. Conclusion: Because of the high ratio of non-routinized work for nature of the chemical plant, it should be improved to the work for a high subjective workload. The results of this study suggested that the necessity of ergonomic improvement of nonroutinized work. Application: This study may help develop a system to effectively evaluate the hazard factor and workload for the non-routinized work in the area of petrochemical plants.

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