• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

During five years (Year 2009~2013), Total victims of 72 %(81,560 people) and those 50.6 %(1,258 people) of death accident occurs in small scale construction site which operate 2 million USD less construction budget. Especially, falling death accident account for 785 people, in the share of 33.2 %(261 people) death disaster takes due to defect of original cause materials. The major safety issues in small scale work place take place while scaffold installation, disassembling, work-plate improper installation or non-professional skills of workers. Furthermore, labor subcontract systems make small construction site shortage of resources. Those workers regard work-plate as unnecessary and consumables supplies. Because of that most of workers use unsafe workplace in most construction site. Therefore, in order to prevent falling accident occurring in small scale work site, government should organize related regulations such as "Work site safety construction method" and then expands education support, financial aid, and sourcing safety supplies for work plate which offer broad variety experiences. Also, introduce certificate solutions for various work plates to improve safety function such as anchoring type method and anti sliding function.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.786-790
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• 2005

As the scale of building construction is larger and more complex and the adaptation of new technology is increasing, the tendency of the risk serious accident cases is increasing now. Especially, the accident rate is below 10% at the building construction workers in Korea but among the total industrial accidents it exceeded by 35%. To prevent a construction accident, it is essential that not only to have a through grasp of the characteristic of safety problem but also to establish of efficient safety counter plan are required. According to the type and situation of building construction, the acquirement of necessary information is useful to prevent the hazard of work and establish the counter plan. Among the safety information it is a thing of especial importance that to estimate the hazard of work types for building construction to prepare the counter plan of safety. This study will analyze all of the1600 accidents of the building construction works from the data of KOSHA(Korea Occupational Safety &Health Agency) which were collected during 11 years(1992~2002) data relating to serious accidents of the building construction works, and suggest the counter plan according to the each work type in building construction works.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.236-242
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• 2011

Objectives: To determine the feasibility of predicting static and dynamic peak back-compressive forces based on (1) static back compressive force values at the lift origin and destination and (2) lifting speed. Methods: Ten male subjects performed symmetric mid-sagittal floor-to-shoulder, floor-to-waist, and waist-to-shoulder lifts at three different speeds (slow, medium, and fast), and with two different loads (light and heavy). Two-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were captured. Linear regression analyses were used to develop prediction equations, the amount of predictability, and significance for static and dynamic peak back-compressive forces based on a static origin and destination average (SODA) backcompressive force. Results: Static and dynamic peak back-compressive forces were highly predicted by the SODA, with R2 values ranging from 0.830 to 0.947. Slopes were significantly different between slow and fast lifting speeds (p < 0.05) for the dynamic peak prediction equations. The slope of the regression line for static prediction was significantly greater than one with a significant positive intercept value. Conclusion: SODA under-predict both static and dynamic peak back-compressive force values. Peak values are highly predictable and could be readily determined using back-compressive force assessments at the origin and destination of a lifting task. This could be valuable for enhancing job design and analysis in the workplace and for large-scale studies where a full analysis of each lifting task is not feasible.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.42-52
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• 2018

Background: Maintenance operations on-board ships are highly demanding. Maintenance operations are intensive activities requiring high man-machine interactions in challenging and evolving conditions. The evolving conditions are weather conditions, workplace temperature, ship motion, noise and vibration, and workload and stress. For example, extreme weather condition affects seafarers' performance, increasing the chances of error, and, consequently, can cause injuries or fatalities to personnel. An effective human error probability model is required to better manage maintenance on-board ships. The developed model would assist in developing and maintaining effective risk management protocols. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop a human error probability model considering various internal and external factors affecting seafarers' performance. Methods: The human error probability model is developed using probability theory applied to Bayesian network. The model is tested using the data received through the developed questionnaire survey of >200 experienced seafarers with >5 years of experience. The model developed in this study is used to find out the reliability of human performance on particular maintenance activities. Results: The developed methodology is tested on the maintenance of marine engine's cooling water pump for engine department and anchor windlass for deck department. In the considered case studies, human error probabilities are estimated in various scenarios and the results are compared between the scenarios and the different seafarer categories. The results of the case studies for both departments are also compared. Conclusion: The developed model is effective in assessing human error probabilities. These probabilities would get dynamically updated as and when new information is available on changes in either internal (i.e., training, experience, and fatigue) or external (i.e., environmental and operational conditions such as weather conditions, workplace temperature, ship motion, noise and vibration, and workload and stress) factors.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.115-124
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• 2018

Background: Substantial empirical research has shown conflicting results regarding the influence of organizational external factors on construction risk management, suggesting the necessity to introduce a moderator into the study. The present research confirmed whether rules and regulations matter on the relationships between organizational external factors and construction risk management. Methods: Based on discouragement and organizational control theory, this research examined the effects of organizational external factors and rules and regulations on construction risk management among 238 employees operating in construction companies in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. A personally administered questionnaire was used to acquire the data. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results: A significant positive relationship between organizational external factors and construction risk management was asserted. This study also found a significant positive relationship between rules and regulations and construction risk management. As anticipated, rules and regulations were found to moderate the relationship between organizational external factors and construction risk management, with a significant positive result. Similarly, a significant interaction effect was also found between rules and regulations and organizational external factors. Implications of the research from a Nigerian point of view have also been discussed. Conclusion: Political, economy, and technology factors helped the construction companies to reduce the chance of risk occurrence during the construction activities. Rules and regulations also helped to lessen the rate of accidents involving construction workers as well as the duration of the projects. Similarly, the influence of the organizational external factors with rules and regulations on construction risk management has proven that most of the construction companies that implement the aforementioned factors have the chance to deliver their projects within the stipulated time, cost, and qualities, which can be used as a yardstick to measure a good project.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.307-316
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• 2016

Background: Resilience engineering (RE) is a new paradigm that can control incidents and reduce their consequences. Integrated RE includes four new factors-self-organization, teamwork, redundancy, and fault-tolerance-in addition to conventional RE factors. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of these four factors on RE and determine the most efficient factor in an uncertain environment. Methods: The required data were collected through a questionnaire in a petrochemical plant in June 2013. The questionnaire was completed by 115 respondents including 37 managers and 78 operators. Fuzzy data envelopment analysis was used in different ${\alpha}$-cuts in order to calculate the impact of each factor. Analysis of variance was employed to compare the efficiency score means of the four abovementioned factors. Results: The results showed that as ${\alpha}$ approached 0 and the system became fuzzier (${\alpha}=0.3$ and ${\alpha}=0.1$), teamwork played a significant role and had the highest impact on the resilient system. In contrast, as ${\alpha}$ approached 1 and the fuzzy system went toward a certain mode (${\alpha}=0.9$ and ${\alpha}=1$), redundancy had a vital role in the selected resilient system. Therefore, redundancy and teamwork were the most efficient factors. Conclusion: The approach developed in this study could be used for identifying the most important factors in such environments. The results of this study may help managers to have better understanding of weak and strong points in such industries.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2009

As shown in the accident analysis from 2007, it has been found that causes of accidents on large-scale projects are different from those found in general construction projects. A 300-question survey regarding systematic and practical aspects of safety problems at construction sites was distributed to ten (10) different companies. Participants were to respond subjectively, so that the results could be used to assemble the first formal questionnaire survey. They were collected and compiled by an advisory committee for this study. The resulting surveys were then sent to the division chiefs of the top 100 construction companies in Korea, in order to improve the response rate. The Department of Safety & Health Direction, and the :Ministry of Labor, ROK sent the same sheets to medium and small construction companies that placed within 101-200th of all Korea construction companies. The above safety engineers were classified into four (4) levels, from 1st to 4th, followed by the project dollar amount and risk level. Formulae were developed to assign safety engineers to construction sites by engineer level, the project dollar amount, and the project risk level. Conclusions are summarized as follows: 1) Reviewing the assignment system of experienced safety engineers to large scaled projects - The more experienced the engineers assigned to a project, the higher the level of accident prevention. 2) Enforcing the assignment of advanced level safety engineers to large-scaled sites - At least one advanced-level safety engineer should be assigned to construction sites with projects valued at $15million USD (15,000,000,000). 3) For assigning safety engineers by risk level - Twenty models have been developed to calculate the number of safety engineers to be assigned by risk level. In the future, risk level for each job should be established by the government (as is now the practice in Germany).

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2017

The purpose of this review is to name and describe the important factors of musculoskeletal strain originating from pushing and pulling tasks such as cart handling that are commonly found in industrial contexts. A literature database search was performed using the research platform Web of Science. For a study to be included in this review differences in measured or calculated strain had to be investigated with regard to: (1) cart weight/ load; (2) handle position and design; (3) exerted forces; (4) handling task (push and pull); or (5) task experience. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria and proved to be of adequate methodological quality by the standards of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. External load or cart weight proved to be the most influential factor of strain. The ideal handle positions ranged from hip to shoulder height and were dependent on the strain factor that was focused on as well as the handling task. Furthermore, task experience and subsequently handling technique were also key to reducing strain. Workplace settings that regularly involve pushing and pulling should be checked for potential improvements with regards to lower weight of the loaded handling device, handle design, and good practice guidelines to further reduce musculoskeletal disease prevalence.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.277-289
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• 2018

Background: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), the subject of this evaluative research document employs 1400 people. 80% of employees are operational firefighters and officers whom operate across a range of duty systems and support functions, providing prevention, protection and emergency response to the communities of Lancashire. Methods: The overarching purpose of this epidemiological study is to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) amongst operational LFRS personnel and to analyse the effects upon those who may be suffering from it, whether brought about by a single traumatic event or by repeated exposure to traumatic occurrences over a period of time. A combination of primary and secondary research was carried out. Primary data was collated using two recognised clinical questionnaires and statistical analysis was conducted with the aid of the software package SPSS. Results: The findings and statistical analysis showed that out of the 100 people surveyed, 30% of respondents had signs of probable distress. Of this quota, 4% showed symptoms of PTSD. The study considers how an organisation can recognise and manage PTSD and provides recommendations to assist in better recognising and managing the associated risks. Conclusion: Based upon the findings, the authors conclude that the level of PTSD within LFRS is slightly lower than those found in other studies undertaken within the Fire and Rescue Service sector. The paper provides recommendations for future studies and a series of actions for consideration by LFRS senior management to improve PTSD support services for employees.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.40-50
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• 2022

Background: Underground mines have several hazards that could lead to serious consequences if they come into effect. Acquiring, evaluating, and using the real-time data from the atmospheric monitoring system and miner's positional information is crucial in deciding the best course of action. Methods: A graphical user interface-based software is developed that uses an AutoCAD-based mine map, real-time atmospheric monitoring system, and miners' positional information to guide on the shortest route to mine exit and other locations within the mine, including the refuge chamber. Several algorithms are implemented to enhance the visualization of the program and guide the miners through the shortest routes. The information relayed by the sensors and communicated by other personnel are collected, evaluated, and used by the program in proposing the best course of action. Results: The program was evaluated using two case studies involving rescue relating to elevated carbon monoxide levels and increased temperature simulating fire scenarios. The program proposed the shortest path from the miner's current location to the exit of the mine, nearest refuge chamber, and the phone location. The real-time sensor information relayed by all the sensors was collected in a comma-separated value file. Conclusion: This program presents an important tool that aggregates information relayed by sensors to propose the best rescue strategy. The visualization capability of the program allows the operator to observe all the information on a screen and monitor the rescue in real time. This program permits the incorporation of additional sensors and algorithms to further customize the tool.