• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.368-374
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• 2019

Objectives: To examine the associations of borg's scale with actual heart rates of workers and energy consumption during their physical work. Methods: A total of 72 workers performing physical activities in postal service, ceramic manufacturing, and metal manufacturing participated in heart rate measurement for 1 work shift using the activity meter(A360) and responded to a borg's scale questionnaire. Results: In consistent with previous findings, we presented high correlation between borg's scale and energy consumption measures among workers performing physical activities(r=0.89) while post-work average heart rate showed nearly no correlation with post-work borg's scale (r=0.09). We proposed a set of adjustments when using borg's scale to estimate physical workload for those workers engaged in physical activities during the majority of their work shift. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a caution should be paid to when using Borg's scale to estimate heart rates during physical activities as well as energy consumption as the product of heart rate measurements.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.184-191
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• 2018

Background: Due to an increasing number of workers aged 50 years and above, the number of those employed is also on the rise, and those workers aged 50 and over has exceeded 50% of the total fatal occupational injuries. Therefore, it is necessary to implement the selection and concentration by identifying the characteristics of high-risk groups necessary for an effective prevention against and reduction of fatal occupational injuries. Methods: This study analyzed the characteristics of high-risk groups and the occupational injury fatality rate per 10,000 workers among the workers aged 50 and over through a multi-dimensional analysis by sex, employment status of workers, industry and occupation by targeting 4,079 persons who died in fatal occupational injuries from January 2007 to December 12. Results: The share of the workers aged 50 years and above is increasing every year in the total fatal occupational injuries occurrence, and the high-risk groups include 'male workers' by sex, 'daily workers' by worker's status, 'craft and related-trades workers' by occupation, and 'mining' by industry. Conclusion: The most frequent causal objects of fatal occupational injuries of the workers aged 50 years and above are found out to be 'installment and dismantlement of temporary equipment and material on work platforms including scaffold' in the construction industry and 'mobile crane, conveyor belt and fork lifts' in the manufacturing industry.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.387-399
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to identify the relationships of job stressor. coping strategies. and stress responses of manufactoring workers. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires from 262 of the manufacturing workers in a local electronic company from July to August. 1999. For data analysis. Cronbach's a. Factor Analysis. Descriptive statistics. ANOVA. and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SPSS/PC+ 7.5 version program were used. The results were as follows: 1. Regard to the stress responses and coping strategies by sociodemographic variables. 'the overall stress responses' showed significant differences by sex. age. marrital state. The use of 'control coping strategy' showed significant differences by sex and the type of work. The use of 'avoid coping strategy' showed significant differences by sex. age. married state. year of career. and income. 2. The average scores of 'the job characteristics and participation in decision making factor'. 'the physical environmental factor'. and 'the role and leadership factor' were 2.66. 2.59. 2.59 in order. The average scores for 'the avoid coping strategy' and 'the control coping strategy' were 3.03. 2.97. The average scores for 'the overall. psychosoical. and physical stress responses' were 2.18. 2.18. 2.23. 3. The 'control coping strategy' was negatively related to 'the job characteristics and participation in decision making factor'. 'the role and leadership factor'. 'the psychosocial stress responses'. and 'the overall responses'. 'The control coping strategy' was positively related to all of 'the job stressors'. 'the physical stress responses', and' the overall stress responses'. 'The physical environment factor' was positively related to all of 'the stress reponses'. 'the role and leadership factor'. and 'the job characteristics and participation in decision making factor'. According to the results of this study, the suggestions were as follows: 1. The coping strategies of manufacturing workers in the specific job stress situation should be considered to future studies. 2. In order to applying the stress management program in the workplace. The organizational intervention focused on 'the job characteristics and participation in decision making' will be needed. 3. To support and use of 'control coping strategy' of the workers. the organizational efforts should be required.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.282-292
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate work environment monitoring program(WMP) under Industrial Safety and Health Act in Korea. WMP was evaluated by focusing on five key elements, such as purpose, subject, scope, method and workers' participation. The operation status of WMP was evaluated by using questionnaire to workers and data published by Ministry of Labor(MOL). Compliance rate of WMP was less 13 % in manufacturing workplaces. Over-exposure rate was steady state by annual trend. The degree of workers' satisfaction to WMP was just 24 %. A critical problem with the current WMP is that the employer and workers are not acting as main players. For a fundamental improvement in working condition to take place, participation of workers should be expanded and be guaranteed by law.

• Journal of Labour Economics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-27
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• 2008

This study analyzes the causes of increase in temporary workers observed in the recent Korean labor market. In the analysis of sectors with relatively high ratio of temporary workers, the manufacturing sector tends to hire temporary workers in order to raise profitability, while wholesale & retails and construction sectors tend to employ temporary workers due to the fluctuation of product demand. Another possibility is that with the expansion of college graduates, it is likely that temporary jobs are used as a screening device to reduce the uncertainty of workers quality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 1996

This study was conducted to establish model between lead and ZPP concentration in blood of workers exposed to lead. Workers employed in secondary smelting manufacturing industry showed $85.1{\mu}g/dl$ of blood lead level, exceeding $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal defined by Occupational Safety and Health Act of Korea. Average blood lead level of workers in the battery manufacturing industry was $51.3{\mu}g/dl$, locating between $40{\mu}g/dl$ and $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal. Blood lead level of in the litharge and radiator manufacturing industry was below $40{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria Requiring Temporary Medical Removal. Blood lead levels of workers by industry were Significantly different(p<0.05). 50(21 %) showed blood lead levels above $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal and 66(27.7 %) showed blood lead levels between the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal, $40-60{\mu}g/dl$. Thus, approximately 50 percent of workers indicated blood lead levels above $40{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria Requiring Temporary Medical Removal and should receive medical examination and consultation including biological monitoring. Average ZPP level of workers employed in the secondary smelting industry was $186.2{\mu}g/dl$, exceeding above $150{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal. Seventy seven of all workers(32.3 %) showed ZPP level above $100-150{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal. The most appropriate model for predicting ZPP in blood was log-linear regression model. Log linear regression models between lead and ZPP concentrations in blood was Log ZPP(${\mu}g/dl$) = -0.2340 + 1.2270 Log Pb-B(${\mu}g/dl$)(standard error of estimate: 0,089, ${\gamma}^2=0.4456$, n=238, P=0.0001), Blood-in-lead explained 44.56 % of the variance in log(ZPP in blood).

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.130-140
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to identify health promoting behaviors(HPBs) and the related determinants affecting to women workers health based on the New Health Promotion Model by Pender(1996). Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires from 208 women workers at the 8 electronic manufacturing factories under the permission of data collection and cooperation with health managers in the factories during the period from September to October 1999. For data analysis. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and Stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/PC+7.5 version were used. The results were as follows : 1. The average score for the HPBs, consisted of 6 subdimensions was 2.05. The highest mean score was 2.29 in 'Spiritual growth' and the lowest one was 1.66 in 'Physical activity'. 2. No significant difference between general charateristics and HPBs were found. 3. HPBs were positively related to 'Prior related behavior'(r=0.369, p<0.1), 'Perceived self-efficacy'(r=0.340, p<.01), 'Activity-related affect'(r=0.252, p<.01). 'Social support'(r=0.350, p<.01). 'Commitment to a plan action'(r=0.374, p<.01). There was no significant correlation between perceived health status, perceived barriers to action and HPBs. 4. The most important variable in HPBs was 'Commitment to a plan action'. It was explained 14.0% out of the total variance of HPBs. 'Commitment to a plan action', 'Prior related behavior', 'Social support', 'Self-efficacy' and 'Perceived barriers to action' explained 23.0%. According to the results of this study, the suggestions were as follows: 1. It is necessary to develop program for improving the physical activity and health responsibility of women workers at the manufacturing industry. 2. To facilitate and maintain HPBs of women workers, nurses may enhance and plan mutually interactive active HPBs with women workers. 3. Social support at the level of individual workers, supervisors, and the organization is required in order to conduct health promotion program at the factories. 4. Significantly related variables to HIPBs should be identified the direct and indirect paths among them further more.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2009

Purpose: In Korea, the number of migrant workers is increasing. However, migrant workers have low job satisfaction due to poor working environment, and insufficient social support. This study aimed to investigate the role of social support for job satisfaction of migrant workers. Method: We have analyzed the survey data of 397 migrant workers collected from free clinic for migrant workers located in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheong-do. Result: When the migrant workers received monetary and emotional supports from supervisors and colleagues, their job satisfaction turned out to be significantly high. The factors that influence job satisfaction of migrant workers are as follows: involvement in manufacturing industry, over 9 hours of daily sleep, monetary and emotional support from supervisors. Their job satisfaction strongly influenced by these factors. Conclusion: Social support will increase job satisfaction of migrant workers and it will subsequently decrease job turnover rate and increase productivity as well as quality of life.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.617-637
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• 1996

Occupational dermatosis is one of the most prevalent occupational disorders. However, the extent of the occupational dermatoses including incidences and prevalencies of each disease entity, and etiologic materials are not yet welt stated in Korea. Authors reviewed the literatures on the statistic data and reports on the occupational dermatoses, and surveyed on the occupational dermatoses in two factories, and surveyed the physicians responsible to the occupational dermatoses with formed questionnaire. The results are as follows; 1. Among medical journals published since 1964, there were 31 articles on the occupational dermatoses. Of 31 articles, 18 were case reports and all others were review articles. Of 18 case reports, 9 were epidemiologic survey. The Workers' Periodic Health Examinations revealed that prevalence of the occupational dermatoses was highest(4.36 per 10,000 workers) in 1974, but number of the cases reported were decreased sharply since 1978 with some tendency to increase since 1981. There were 2,240 reported cases of occupational dermatoses between 1966 and 1992, which is 1.90% of all the reported occupational diseases. Skin infection and injuries due to chemicals were most frequent and there were 6 cases of skin cancer. 2. In an epidemiological survey on the dermatoses among 995 workers in a metal product manufacturing factory and 225 workers in a coal chemical factory, there were 794 with dermatomycosis, 296 workers with acne, 130 workers with scar, 123 workers with deformity of toe nails. Scars, photosensitivity dermatitis, deformity of finger and toe nails, and acne were more prevalent in the metal product manufacturing factory(p<0.05). In the metal prouct manufacturing factory, workers treating organic solvents and oils had more dermatoses than those without treating the materials(p<0.05). On the skin patch performed on 16 workers in the metal product manufacturing factory, there were 8 cases of irritation dermatitis and 5 cases of contact dermatitis. Prevalence of contact dermatitis in the metal product manufacturing factory was 1.3%. 3. On the questionnaire survey, 34 dermatologists, 29 doctors of preventive medicine, and 22 family physician replied. The proportion of occupational etiology among all dermatoses assumed by the physicians were below 9%, and the most important occupational dermatosis in Korea was contact dermatitis. Main etiologic materials related to the occupational dermatosis were organic solvent, acid and alkali, and metals. The reason for the scarcity of report of occupational dermatoses were difficulty in diagnosis and physician's ignorance of the occupational etiology. They replied that to prevent the occupational dermatoses in the workplace, the use of protective devices was most important, and development of diagnostic criteria on the occupational dermatoses is urgent. Above results shows us that there is many workers with occupational dermatoses, but they are mostly unreported. Measures to prevent and manage the occupational dermatoses are not satisfactory at present. Hence, authors suggest measures for the precise diagnosis, report and prevention of the occupational dermatoses. a. Dermatologist, preventive physician, and industrial hygienist should work as a team to examine the high risk group and establish the preventive measures. b. Disease entities, diagnostic criteria of occupational dermatoses should be listed, criteria for the compensation and job fitting at recruitment should be established, and manual for the proper treatment and effective prevention of each occupational dermatosis should be developed. c. Patch test antigens against each occupational category should be developed and it should be available to any physicians responsible. d. To facilitate the diagnosis of occupational dermatoses by the doctors responsible for the Workersr Periodic Health Examination, development of standardized questionnaire, education on the techniques of the patch test, and cooperation with the dermatologist in diagnosis of occupational dermatoses is essential.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.3 s.35
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• pp.279-286
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• 1991

Much of the working population in developing countries are engaged in shift work now and the number of shift workers is not expected to decrease in the future mostly because the need for continuity of production is increasing. Therefore, the possible effects of shift work on health are of particular interest, and in fact, there have been many epidemiological studies on shift work since the first world war. However, no studies on health effects of shift work have been reported in Korea, and the existing studies in western world have arrived at quite different conclusions mainly because the conditions of work other than shift work, such as age and selection of workers, work environment, and labor conditions also influence the health of workers. This study was firstly carried out in Korea to investigate the health risks related to shift work with 2,093 female workers randomly selected from three major manufacturing industries in proportion to total number of female workers in those industries. Differences of work conditions other than shift work in this study were adjusted by multivariate analysis. Ma findings obtained from this study are as follows : 1. There were significant differences between shift and day workers in the distribution of age, type of industry, condition of noise and dust, regularity of mealtime, working position, and working duration. Shift workers tended to be younger, to have shorter working duration, to have more irregular mealtime, to work in standing position, and to work under more noisy and dusty environment than day workers. 2. Univariate analysis showed that shift work increased the Todai Health Index (THI) scores of digestive tract, respiratory tract, and mental instability symptom categories. Shift work also increased days of sickness absence and number of industrial accident per 100 workers per month. 3. Multivariate analysis that adjusted the differences of demographic, occupational and non-occupational health-related working conditions showed that digestive tract symptom and mental instability symptom scores were significantly higher in shift workers than those in day workers. Based on these study results, it is concluded that the shift work has significant effects on some psychophysiological conditions of the workers and the effects are also influenced by several other personal and working conditions.