• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Industrial Safety Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.481-485
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• 2002

사업장의 자율적인 안전보건경영체제를 구축할 수 있도록 지원하기 위해 한국산업안전공단과 안전관리부가 주관이 되어 관련 교육과 기술지원을 실시하고 그 결과를 객관적으로 평가하여 일정기준 이상 도달되었을 때 ［건설업 KOSHA 2000 프로그램］ 인증을 획득하고 안전보건 경영체제를 지속적으로 유지하기 위해 사후 지원하도록 한 프로그램이다. 그 추진배경으로는 기존 안전보건 활동의 한계성, 재해율 절감의 한계성, 새로운 시스템 즉 자율적, 능동적 시스템의 도입 필요, 체계적, 합리적, 유기적인 관계 선상에서 관리 필요 등이다.(중략)

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.250-250
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• 2000

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.289-297
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the workplace, and to suggest the prediction models for level of CVD incidence risk. Background: CVD can be caused by various factors related to personal habits such as diet and exercise, or genetics. However it can also be caused and aggravated by work, making the elimination of such risk factors at work crucial disease (KOSHA, 2013). Method: The distribution of CVD risk assessment levels of 162 workers was compared with the acquired medical examination data to discuss the necessity of assigning additional risk factors. Two alternative risk assessment models were given to enhance the accuracy of the evaluation; adjusting risk scores given in the KOSHA GUIDE H-1-2013 (alternative 1) and building a matrix of KOSHA GUIDE H-1-2013 and risk assessment results based on work condition levels (alternative 2). To verify the suggested models, medical examination results of 12 workers approved of convalescence were referred to. Results: The second alternative showed more relevance between the results and workers approved of convalescence in predicting the risk group when applied to actual heath examination data from the approved workers. The power of description of the new method for determining the risk of CVD incidence, 83.3%, is higher than that of KOSHA GUIDE H-1-2013, 25%. Conclusion: Results of this study imply that more approved workers had been from unmanaged normal groups than managed risk groups, raising the importance of CVD management. Application: The new prediction model considering working time and shift work developed in this study is expected to be a fundamental data for risk analysis and management of CVD in the workplace.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.318-321
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• 2017

This commentary presents the regulatory backgrounds and development of the national proficiency testing (PT) scheme on asbestos analysis in the Republic of Korea. Since 2009, under the amended Occupational Safety and Health Act, the survey of asbestos in buildings and clearance test of asbestos removal works have been mandated to be carried out by the laboratories designated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) in the Republic of Korea. To assess the performance of asbestos laboratories, a PT scheme on asbestos analysis was launched by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) on behalf of the MOEL in 2007. Participating laboratories are evaluated once a year for fiber counting and bulk asbestos analysis by phase contrast microscopy and polarized light microscopy, respectively. Currently, the number of laboratory enrollments is > 200, and the percentage of passed laboratories is > 90. The current status and several significant changes in operation, sample preparations, and statistics of assigning the reference values of the KOSHA PT scheme on asbestos analysis are presented. Critical retrospect based on the experiences of operating the KOSHA PT scheme suggests considerations for developing a new national PT scheme for asbestos analysis.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2008

To clarify the DNA damage from reactive oxygen species, we measured the DNA damage through Fpg/Endo III FLARE (Fragment Length Analysis with Repair Enzyme) assay and real time RT-PCR. The 80 SD rats assigned to 4 dose groups exposed to cumene vapor for 90 days. With Fpg/Endo III FLARE assay in hepatocytes, we found the OTM (Olive Tail Moment) and TL (Tail Length) significantly increased in no-enzyme treated and Fpg-treated control and 8 ppm groups with 28 days exposure. In Endo III-treated 8 ppm group, significantly increased the values with 90 days exposure. With lymphocytes, it was founded the values significantly increased in no-enzyme treated 800 ppm group in 28 and 90 days. It was significantly increased in Endo III-treated 80 ppm for 28 days and 800 ppm for 90 days. From the above findings, FLARE assay was suggested as being available as a biological marker for DNA damage induced by cumene exposure in SD rats. And we used real time RT-PCR for the OGG1 mRNA expression, it had dose-dependent biologic effects in 1 day exposure, but decrease the levels of rOGG1 mRNA. Our findings provide evidence that cumene exposure may cause suppression of rOGG1 in the rat hepatocytes or lymphocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.146-153
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• 2014

This study looks at the impact of psychological and physical factors of the working conditions on the health of workers depending on whether technology is used by such workers. The data used for the study is the third work environment survey. Out of 50,032 respondents, a total of 29,711 paid workers were used as analysis subjects. Although it was anticipated that the use of technology was a factor that hindered job autonomy and teamwork autonomy. However, the analysis results showed low levels of job autonomy and teamwork autonomy in the group that did not use technology. The study assumes a regression analysis model about work environment and work organizational practices of workspaces that have an impact on musculoskeletal complaints, stress symptoms and level of work satisfaction by controlling the social demographic variable that represents the level of individual sensitivity. As a result of the study, ergonomic risk had a significant effect on both groups that did or did not use technology with respect to stress symptoms, musculoskeletal complaints and level of work satisfaction. In particular, as workspace practices and work environment had an effect on the development of musculoskeletal complaints in the group that used machines, there is a need to improve such situation. The autonomous team work or level of job autonomy within the group that used technology may act as a risk factor to the health and welfare of workers. However, because it may also act as a buffer factor, there is a need for a change to reduce stress symptoms and increase the level of work satisfaction by improving autonomous team work and the level of job autonomy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.412-422
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• 2009

This study was conducted to assess exposure to musculoskeletal disorder(MSD) risk factors in hospital personnel who performed non-routinized work tasks. A tool ("PATH-KOSHA" version) was newly revised from PATH(Posture, Activity, Tools and Handling) method and uploaded into a personal digital assistant(PDA). The version was used, on a basis of direct-observation, to collect PATH data at the 2 hospital settings in different regions. Job analysis was performed to get various information (e.g., work and rest time, task type) as well. The data collected were visually checked for data cleaning and stored for future data analysis. A total of 1,992 PATH observations were made for 37 hospital workers. Exposure levels varied across 18 items of the MSD risk factors. The highest percent time spent on non-neutral postures was 53% for wrist deviation, followed by 47%(pinch grip), 35%(trunk posture), 23%(neck posture), and 20%(shoulder/arm posture). The highest percent time spent among hand activity level(HAL) variables was 55% for HAL-cat2 (HAL: 3.3 - <6.7). The percent time of items with respect to both loads with more than 5kg and contact stress was less than 4%. Vibration was not exposed in the study workers. Different aspects were discussed for findings. The study results showed that wrist deviation was highest in percent time spent on awkward posture while HAL-cat2 was highest in hand repetition. The study suggests that distal upper extremity posture and HAL should be primarily addressed and controlled in non-routinized work including the hospital settings.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2016

Objectives: To review reference levels by the international and domestic management and provide the basis for setting occupational exposure limits(OELs) of radon in Korea Methods: Government's organizations with laws and systems for monitoring radon exposure were investigated and compared. There are five laws governing Indoor Air Quality(IAQ) control such as Occupational Safety and Health Act, Indoor Air Quality Control in Public Use Facilities, Etc. Act, School Health Act, Public Health Control Act and Parking Lot Act in Korea. It was surveyed that a total of 32 countries including 24 countries in the European Union(EU), six countries in Asian and two countries in North America setting the reference levels for radon in the world. Results: In Korea, there are set guidelines for radon in the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Education. Reference levels of radon for existing dwellings were $150{\sim}400Bq/m^3$ for Western European countries, and $200{\sim}1,500Bq/m^3$ in Eastern European countries. Approximately 67% of those EU countries were set up $400Bq/m^3$ to the standards for existing dwellings. EU countries such as Luxembourg, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia had adopted mandatory level for radon. Radon guidelines for new dwellings were set more strictly reference level($200Bq/m^3$) than existing dwellings. Conclusions: International organizations such as ICRP, UNSCEAR and NCRP, etc. had recommended the guidelines for radon. It was calculated the relation of the dose conversion factors with the annual effective doses. the OELs of radon suggest to need to establish $150Bq/m^3$ for office room and $400{\sim}1,000Bq/m^3$ for the workplace.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2014

Objectives: The use of indium compounds, especially those of small size, for the production of semiconductors, liquid-crystal panels, etc., has increased recently. However, the role of particle size or the chemical composition of indium compounds in their toxicity and distribution in the body has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of particle size and the chemical composition of indium compounds on their toxicity and distribution. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to two different-sized indium oxides (average particle sizes under 4,000 nm [IO_4000] and 100 nm [IO_100]) and one nano-sized indium-tin oxide (ITO; average particle size less than 50 nm) by inhalation for 6 hr daily, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks at approximately $1mg/m^3$ of indium by mass concentration. Results: We observed differences in lung weights and histopathological findings, differential cell counts, and cell damage indicators in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid between the normal control group and IO- or ITO-exposed groups. However, only ITO affected respiratory functions in exposed rats. Overall, the toxicity of ITO was much higher than that of IOs; the toxicity of IO_4000 was higher than that of IO_100. A 4-week recovery period was not sufficient to alleviate the toxic effects of IO and ITO exposure. Inhaled indium was mainly deposited in the lungs. ITO in the lungs was removed more slowly than IOs; IO_4000 was removed faster than IO_100. IOs were not distributed to other organs (i.e., the brain, liver, and spleen), whereas ITO was. Concentrations of indium in the blood and organ tissues were higher at 4 weeks after exposure. Conclusions: The effect of particle size on the toxicity of indium compounds was not clear, whereas chemical composition clearly affected toxicity; ITO showed much higher toxicity than that of IO.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to assay the effect of neodymium oxide on the generation of reactive oxygen species and DNA oxidative damage by intratracheal instillation. Methods: Two groups of rats were exposed to neodymium oxide($Nd_2O_3$) via intratracheal instillation with doses of 0.5 mg and 2.0 mg, respectively. At two days and at 12 weeks after exposure, the contents of neodymium oxide in the lung, liver, kidney, heart and brain, leukocyte, olive tail moment, ROS, RNS, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, cytokine and MDA from BALF were measured. Results: Neodymium oxide contents in the liver, kidney, heart, and brain were detected at less than $1{\mu}g/g$ tissue concentration. However, in the lungs at four weeks the highest amount were detected and then found to be drastically reduced at 12 weeks. ROS and RNS in bronchoalveolar lavage increased in concentration dependently at two days, four weeks and 12 weeks after neodymium oxide instillation. However, ROS and RNS decreased with the passage of time. At two days the total number of WBC in BALF in the high concentration group was significantly increased, and at four weeks the total number of WBC were significantly increased in the low and high concentration groups(p<0.01). At two days after exposure, the LDH of the low and high concentration groups was significantly increased. At 12 weeks, only the LDH of the high concentration group was significantly increased compared to in the control group(p<0.01). As a result of Comet assay, after two days, damage to the DNA of the low and high concentration groups was observed. Conclusions: Intratracheal instillation of neodymium oxide induces the generation of ROS and DNA damage in rats.