• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.285-293
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to ascertain the important factors for SMEs in managing the risks of chemicals and to suggest a government role in strengthening the responsibility of small and medium enterprises(SMEs) as employers. Methods: About 100 enterprises were surveyed in Incheon. A questionnaire for employers and walk-through surveys by occupational hygienists were performed at each enterprise. Results: The results showed that most employers thought chemicals were not hazardous but chemical management was needed. When employers determine how to manage chemicals, they rely heavily on personal experience and rather less on information from the government or experts. However, if employers think the chemicals are hazardous, they do more to manage the chemicals. Conclusions: When employers think chemicals are hazardous, risk assessment would be an effective tool to control chemical hazards in SMEs. Employers' position on chemical hazards is very important. Since the government is the initiator, it is the government who develops messages for SMEs, such as "Chemicals are hazardous and management can reduce the risk of chemicals." Governmental messages can play an invaluable role in strengthening the responsibility of SME employers to manage chemical hazards.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.397-404
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• 2020

Background: Most job exposure matrices (JEMs) have been developed for chemical and physical hazards in the United States (US). In addition, the overall validity of most JEMs of work organization hazards using self-reported data in the literature remains to be further tested due to several methodological weaknesses. Methods: This paper aims to review important methodological issues with regard to a JEM of work organization hazards using self-report data and to present a research protocol for developing a four-axis (job titles, hazards, sex, and time) JEM of major work organization hazards using the US General Social Survey-Quality of Work-Life (GSS-QWL) data (2002-2018; N = 7,100 workers). Results: Five methodological weaknesses in existing JEMs of work organization hazards using self-report data were identified: having only two axes (hazard and occupation), using psychometrically weak items and scales, including scales having little interoccupational variability, unresolved optimal minimum numbers of subjects per occupation, and low accessibility. The methodological weaknesses were successfully addressed in the proposed research protocol. Conclusion: The work organization JEM to be developed will significantly facilitate and strengthen occupational epidemiological studies on work organization hazards and major health outcomes, improve national and occupational surveillance of work organization hazards, and promote interventions for a healthy work environment in the US.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.87-95
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• 2024

Background: This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. Objectives: The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. Methods: A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. Results: Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. Conclusion: Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.197-208
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• 2006

The hazards of chemicals can be classified using classification criteria that are based on physical, chemical and ecotoxicological endpoints. These criteria may be developed be iteratively, based on scientific or regulatory processes. A number of national and international schemes have been developed over the past 50 years, and some, such as the UN Dangerous Goods system or the EC system for hazardous substances, are in widespread use. However, the unnecessarily complicated multiplicity of existing hazard classifications created much unnecessary confusion at the user level, and a recommendation was made at the 1992 Rio Earth summit to develop a globally harmonized chemical hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, that could be used for manufacture, transport, use and disposal of chemical substances. This became the globally harmonized system for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The developmental phase of the GHS is largely complete. Consistent criteria for categorizing chemicals according to their toxic, physical, chemical and ecological hazards are now available. Consistent hazard communication tools such as labelling and material safety data sheets are also close to finalizations. The next phase is implementation of the GHS. The Intergovernmental Forum for Chemical Safety recommends that all countries implement the GHS as soon as possible with a view to have the system fully operational by 2008. When the GHS is in place, the world will finally have one system for classification of chemical hazards.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.293-300
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• 2012

Objectives: In chemical hazard communication, information receiver's perception is a important factor, but the study on the perception was few. Therefore, this study evaluated the perception of managers and workers group about chemical hazard communication by chemical hazard communication tools that were being used in fields. Methods: 91 managers and 238 workers were surveyed in two companies where use chemicals. All subjects were asked about the comprehensibility and perception for MSDS and GHS Pictograms being used in their workplaces through face-to-face interviews. Results: Most of the respondents knew MSDS, and more than half of the respondents had used MSDS once or more per year. The level of use to find the information on chemicals with MSDS was higher in the managers in comparison with workers. Also, the managers could understand and find the information on MSDS easier(p < 0.05). In the question asking the meaning of GHS Pictograms, the managers responded more correctly, as well(p < 0.05). 86.8% of the managers and 62.6% of the workers were conscious of the possible health hazards of chemicals that they could be exposed at work. However, among the respondents conscious of the health hazards, only less than 70% were well aware of the contents of the health hazards correctly. Conclusions: In chemical hazard communication, it is very important to evaluate whether information receiver have proper and correct knowledge and perception or not and actions based on the evaluations as well as provide correct information.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제13권8호
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• pp.3578-3585
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• 2012

유탕면류의 HACCP(Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) 시스템 구축을 위하여 유탕 공정-CCP(Critical Control Point)에 대한 미생물학적(Biological hazards)과 화학적(Chemical hazards) 한계 기준 설정을 위한 목적으로 수행하였으며, 경기도 이천 소재의 P사에서 실행하였다. 유탕공정은 각각의 시간과 온도 측정에 따라 미생물학적, 화학적 위해요소를 제거하거나 감소에 대해 실험하였다. 실험결과 Standard plate count와 식중독균은 유탕공정(Temperature : $145{\pm}10^{\circ}C$, Time : $75{\pm}30$ sec)에 의해 검출되지 않았다. 유탕공정에 의해 생성되는 화학적 위해 기준의 산가는 법적 기준치인 0.6보다 낮은 0.2 이하였다. 증숙실과 유탕실의 공중낙하균을 측정한 결과 3 CFU/mL, 3 CFU/mL 검출되었다. 따라서 유탕공정의 CCP-BC는 일반세균과 식중독균, 산화생성물 생성을 예방, 제거하는데 좋은 대안책이 될 것이다. 결론적으로 HACCP을 위해 유탕공정에 대한 한계기준설정, 모니터링방법, 개선조치, 검증방법, 교육, 기록관리가 필요하다고 생각된다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.247-256
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• 2008

Public perceptions of nanotechnology and its potential risk can be an important measure for the sustainable advances of the technology. We conducted a survey for public (N =599) and experts (N = 165). They answered the same questions and results were analyzed. 74% of the public have not heard about the potential risk of nanotechnology and 77% expected that nanotechnology/materials are not harmful to the human and nature. 74% of experts realized the potential hazards by nanomaterials. The results represented that large perception gab between public and experts has existed in Korea. Interestingly, Korean public thought that nanotechnology is more profitable and less risky than that of American. We suggest that 'now is the best time to give appropriate information on the potential risk of nanotechnology to Korean public without preconception or exaggeration.'

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.57-66
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• 1990

The purpose of this study is to investigate electrostatic charge condition and possibility of electrostatic hazards in case of putting on synthetic smocks and antistatic garments for the purpose of prevention of electrostatic hazards due to a human body electrical charge. It is shown in case of a synthetic smocks, electrostatic voltage by friction is about 2,900 (V), half life period is 12 second, and electrostatic charge is 1.4―1.8 ($\mu$ C). When putting on a synthetic smocks, electrostatic voltage is 2,500―2,800(V). When putting on a jumper of chemical fiber, electrostatic voltage is 8,000(V) . It is, therfore, possible to cause a electrostatic hazards. It is also shown in case of a antistatic garments, electrostatic voltage by friction is 87(V) ―280(V) (washing 90 times), half life period is 3―5 second, and electrostatic charge is 0.24―0.28($\mu$ C) which is much lower than 0.6($\mu$ C) limitation of fire and explosion occurance. When putting on a antistatic garments, electrostatic voltage is 10(V) ―125(V). In conclusion, it is shown when putting on a antistatic garments it is possible to prevent a electrostatic hazards such as fire or explosion due to human body, to prevent a destruction of semiconductor elements and capacity decline, and to prevent a misoperation of automation facilities and semiconductor electric and electronic products.

• 한국화재소방학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국화재소방학회 2003년도 춘계학술논문발표회논문집
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• pp.242-247
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• 2003

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.156-163
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• 2012

Objectives: The aim of the present study was undertaken to investigate the association between communication for chemical hazard information and characteristics of occupational safety and health managers. Subjects and Methods: We surveyed 78 occupational safety and health managers(64 male and 14 female) in 78 chemical manufacturing plants. Data were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire about size and type of company, products, communication system for chemicals and work-related characteristics of occupational safety and health managers. All analyses in this study were performed using SPSS program 12.0. Results: 64.1% of the study participants were occupational health managers aged 39.3 years on average and were graduated from college and university around 90%. 30.0% and of them were majoring in chemistry (engineering chemistry), 18.0% occupational health, 16% nursing and 30.0% others. Occupational safety managers were aged 39.4 years on average, 42.9% of them were majoring in chemistry (engineering chemistry), 21.4% environmental engineering, 10.7% occupational safety and 25% others. 86% of occupational health managers and 71.4% of occupational safety managers were classified as office job. Over 94% of the hazards information for chemicals were delivered by occupational safety and health managers, but about 28.2% workers preferred outside experts who have a profound knowledge about occupational safety and health and understandable. Occupational safety and health managers and workers had difficulties in understanding toxicological information, hazards identification, stability/reactivity, composition/information on ingredients, physical/chemical properties and ecological information. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the 16 heading of material safety data sheet, content of material safety data sheet was significantly associated with education level (odds ratio=0.286, 95% confidence interval=0.105-0.780). The hazard identification (odds ratio=3.947, 95% confidence interval=1.092-14.271) and toxicological information (odds ratio=0.841, 95% confidence interval=0.705-0.998) were significantly associated with type of occupation. Conclusions: This finding implies that the education level, type of occupation and speciality of occupational safety and health managers may affects hazards information delivery.