• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 2001

This study was conducted to identify the current status of occupational safety and health by checklist and to evaluate the airborne exposure to chemicals and to provide the appropriate recommendation for safety and health of laundries. A total of 20 laundries located in tile Gyungi district area were surveyed from July 20 to September 15, 2000. The prevalence of laundries having a stove and gas range were found to be 25 % and 55 %, respectively. Smoking is not allowed in 60 % of the laundries. Only 10 % of dry-cleaners were isolated. Ventilation systems in laundries had not been annually inspected. Most of the workers didn't put on respirators, MSDS were not available, and storage bottles did not contain warning labels. The bulk samples of dry cleaning agent include many chemicals that are not controlled by the MOL in Korea. The detected airborne organic solvents in the laundries were benzene, toluene, p-xylene, m-xylene, o-xylene, perchloroethylene, and 2-butoxy ethanol. The airborne concentrations of organic solvents were much less than the occupational exposure limits proposed by the Ministry of Labor(MOL) in Korea. But the concentrations of benzene exceeded the TLV of ACGIH. This study showed that the current status of occupational safety and health was not appropriate for workers in laundries. It is recommended that laundry workers should be educated for the treatment and storage of hazardous organic solvents to improve the occupational safety and health of the working environment as well as MSDS usage. Also, extended research and survey for the organic solvents that are not controlled by the MOL has to be conducted.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.147-152
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the musculo-skeletal symptomatic features of municipal sanitation workers and to compare differences of the musculo-skeletal symptoms by work types. We conducted descriptive cross-sectional survey concerning the musculo-skeletal symptomatic features of 315 street cleaners in Seoul and GyeongGi Province, Korea, during 2 weeks of September 2006. Questionnaires were consisted of general characteristics, occupational characteristics and musculo-skeletal symptoms. And we observed their works and evaluated their movement and posture by REBA. For work types, tools and subjective physical work loading, there were statistical difference whether or not NIOSH symptom positive on upper limb. Musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb were claimed from 43.2% of street cleaners, more than in 32.4% of cleaners. Musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb were reported higher in the group who felt their subjective physical work loading severe than in the otherwise group. The REBA results were over 'high risk stage' in street cleaners. Street cleaners had more repetitive motions than solid waste collectors on upper limbs. Works according to the criteria of musculoskeletal burdened work by the Ministry of Labor results were over 'high risk stage' of No. 2 and No. 4 in street cleaners. We found that street cleaners complained musculo-skeletal symptoms on upper limb more than solid waste collectors. This study suggests that it is necessary for street cleaners to carry out the prevention program of musculo-skeletal diseases. For street cleaner, the measure plans such as job rotation, automatic street sweepers, reducing work hours are helpful in preventing musculoskeletal symptoms on the upper limb.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2005

To investigate the field applicability of a diffusive sampler (3M OVM #3500, passive sampling method) authors conducted a simultaneous measurement of personal organic solvents exposure in the air of the workplaces by charcoal tube with low volume sampler (active sampling method) and diffusive sampler. Samples were collected and analyzed by NIOSH method ($NMAM^{(R)}$) from thirty-eight workers in 12 factories who work in 6 different processes. Geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) were used to describe the result. To compare the results of the two methods, paired t-test was used. According to the manual of the exposure assessment of the mixed organic solvents (Ministry of Labor, Korea), Em was calculated. Simple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between the two methods. Results were as follows; 1. Eight different solvents (ethyl acetate, n-hexane, toluene, xylene, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone) were detected simultaneously in the two methods and the concentrations of the personal exposure were lower than 0.5 TLV level. The concentration of the charcoal tube method was higher than that of a diffusive sampler in n-hexane and MEK (p<0.05). 2. Em of the charcoal tube method was higher than that of diffusive sampler method but not significantly different and was lower than the OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit) in all 6 processes. 3. There was a significant correlation between the two methods in low concentrations of the 8 organic solvents (p<0.05). In conclusion, there was no difference in charcoal tube method and diffusive sampler method in low concentrations of some organic solvents, diffusive sampler can be applied to assess the personal monitoring in low level exposure.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2007

To establish the Fourier-transform infra-red spectrophotometry (FTIR) direct-on-filter(DOF) technique as a useful analytical method for quartz in respirable dust samples, influence of the interference should be corrected. This study was designed to compare three methods of correction for cristobalite when quantifying the content of quartz, including the least square, the optimum choice and the spectral subtraction methods. Respirable dust, created in a dust chamber containing the standard material of quartz, cristobalite was collected using a cyclone equipped with a 25 mm, $0.8{\mu}m$ pore size DM filter as a collection medium. The quartz weights overestimated about 100% when mixed of cristobalite by measure using 799 cm-1 absorption peak of quartz. The quartz weights appeared over estimated by optimum choice, spectral subtraction and least square method in mixtures of 33% cristobalite were 90.3%, 60.1% and about 4.3%, respectively. The least square method have been adopted to correction methods of cristobalite and satisfactory results have been obtained. The results of this study suggest that, when correcting for effect of cristobalite on quantitative analysis of quartz in respirable dust by FTIR direct-on-filter method, the least square method produce the most unbiased results compared with those of other correction methods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.92-100
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• 2018

According to 'The Analysis of Industrial Accidents in 2016' by Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of deaths caused by accidents in the construction field is 391, accounting for 47% of 826 industrial fatalities in all industries. The breakdown of the 391 fatalities of the construction industry shows that 'struck by an object' accident had 30 fatalities, the 3rd in frequency following falling (235) and crashing (32) accidents. This study aims to explore ways to reduce the 'struck by an object' accident with emphasis on safety education and certificate system for rigging and slinging works. This study reviews literature on rigging and slinging works and analyzes 'struck by an object' accidents. The rules and regulation on the rigging and slinging works are also reviewed both for Korea and other countries with best practices in construction safety such as Singapore, Japan, U.K., and U.S. The rigging and slinging certificate systems of those countries are also reviewed to find any advantage in the construction safety management. In addition, a pilot rigging and slinging certificate system was executed in one of domestic construction site followed by two surveys: one on the riggers who participated in the pilot operation and the other on general managers in domestic construction sites. Based on the analysis of the 'struck by an object' accidents and pilot operation, this study proposes a rigging and slinging certificate system to reduce accidents, enhancing safety condition of construction sites. The certificate system was proposed in a way to accommodate working practice of construction sites. Depending on rigging careers and a crane load capacity, riggers are eligible to apply either basic or master certificate which makes difference in the level of rigging works. The safety condition of rigging and slinging work could be substantially enhanced if workers, managers, supervisors, administrators, and policy makers work together consistently.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.95-103
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• 2019

Purpose : Promoting startups has increased in importance in labor market policies since the economic crisis. In Korea, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is also seeking to revitalize youth startups and traditional markets by moving young stores into idle spaces in traditional markets through 'Project to Support the Activation of Youth Mall'. Research into startups in traditional markets is very limited. Therefore, this study looks at the differences between the management performance of young merchants and senior merchants, and looks at the impact of the business period. Research design, data and methodology : It was divided into youth startup and senior startup based on the age of 40 and startup and nonstartup. Based on these criteria, the company intends to compare and analyze sales and margin rates by setting the sales and margin rates with the management performance of the startup and senior startups. In particular, to look at the feasibility of government funded projects for young merchants, the company will look at the changes in sales and margin rates of young merchants and senior merchants over the period of operation. In this study, the analysis was based on the raw data of the Statistics of traditional market in 2017, and the ANCOVA was used. Results : First of all, the sales volume of stores operated by young merchants, was higher than those operated by senior merchants. Next, the margin ratio does not differ from that of stores that are for young people and those. These findings suggest that the profit structure of stores in traditional markets is similar between young merchants and senior merchants. Third, if you look at the performance of new startups based on one year of business period in more detail, it turns out that young startups have improved in sales and margin rates since startups, while senior startups have no difference. Conclusions : While it means that management performance can be improved through support for young startups, it suggests that there is a limit to supporting senior startups. Therefore, this research indicates that the government support projects centered on youth can contribute to the revitalization of traditional markets.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.166-174
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the number and proportion of target workplaces for work environment monitoring and evaluate the implementation rate of work environment monitoring. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor between March and May 2017 among 96,295 manufacturing businesses with more than five employees. The response rate was 17.8%. Estimates of the number and proportion of target workplaces for work environment monitoring were calculated as follows: number of workplaces where work environment monitoring was performed in 2016 + exposure rate based on the questionnaire * number of workplaces where work environment monitoring was not conducted. Results: Of the 150,655 total manufacturing businesses with more than five employees, 63,146 are estimated to be subject to work environment monitoring, which accounted for 41.9% of the workplaces. It is estimated that 73.3% of the target workplaces performed work environment monitoring. The number of workers exposed to hazardous substances is estimated to be about 0.7~1.2 million. Conclusions: Information on the distribution of workplaces subject to work environment monitoring and the rate of implementation can be used as baseline information for management and evaluation of the effectiveness of the work environment monitoring system.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.179-189
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• 2001

This study was performed to identify the current status of work environment management and to provide appropriate recommendations for small scale industry with less than 5 workers from September, 2000 to October, 2000 in Seoul city and Gyoung-gi province. The 211 companies were surveyed by checklist included the elements of management of work environment, hazardous chemicals, MSDS, personal protective equipment, and ventilation system. The proportion of metal products manufacturing and printing industries are 25.6 % and 22.3%, respectively. The daily working hours in printing industry is longer than others. The industries that produce potentially hazardous agents, such as noise, dust, metal, organic solvents, radiation and chemical material are pulp, plating, machinery, and printing, respectively. In above industries, only 2.8 % of those recognised and had MSDS. The proportion of companies providing fire extinguishers, safety showers are found to be 13.3 %, 7.1 %, respectively. Only 24.2 % of companies provided personal protective equipment to the workers. The ventilation system was operated in most of companies. But local exhaust ventilation system is provided to 22.3 % of those, also had not been annually inspected. This study showed that the current status of occupational safety and health was not appropriate for workers in small scale industries. It is suggested that annual physical examination have to be performed, MSDS usage must become widespread, and employer and emplyees in small scale industry should be educated for the treatment and storage of hazardous chemicals to improve the occupational safety and health of the working environment. also, regulatory standard has to be applied to local exhaust ventilation system in small scale industry to improve the working condition.

• Korean Journal of Hazardous Materials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2014

With a rapid growth of domestic industry in korea, now about 25,000 kinds of chemicals are being distributed, and it has been known that just about 15% of them has toxic substances. Recently, South Koreans have an anxiety about the stability and accidents of chemicals because chemical accidents like Gumi hydrofluoric acid accident have occurred. The U.S. has adopted the systems like EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act), TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) and TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act), and is also managing the hazardous chemicals by providing the information about them to its people and site workers. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also has adopted J-CHECK system and is implementing it to let Japanese people know the information of safety of chemicals about REACH. However, the Korean government has a difficult situation to mediate the different idea with the Korean industry to make lower statute of Pre-legislation registration & evaluation of chemicals that will be implemented and Chemical Material Control Association that is being implemented. Especially city and country areas located in the industrial areas need political improvement focusing on vulnerable area through the check about current situation of hazardous chemicals of jurisdiction and management method, but the information about the management situation of small scale work places is insufficient. Therefore this study set up the urgent management area in Ansan Smart Hub through NFPA code according to the types of accident and dander characteristics of each chemical being used in the companies that have less than 50 workers and deal with chemicals located in Ansan Smart Hub in Gyeonggi-do.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.313-323
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• 1998

This study is to develop the model on the joint employment system of occupational health nurse practitioners for medium or small sized enterprises in Korea based on the comparison opinions between employers and occupational health nurses (OHN). The data were collected by questionnaires from Oct. to Nov. in 1997. The number of subjects was 210 OHNs and 176 employers, response rate was 47.1% for OHNs and 23.2% for employers. The SAS PC program was used for the descriptive statistics. The results were as follow: 1. More than three years career was preferred for qualification of OHN by employers and OHNs. OHNs preferred that all instruments and materials should be equipped in each industry, but employers preferred that they should be equipped by OHN. 2. For the limit number of industries and employees per one OHN, employers preferred average 2.25 industries and 307 employees, OHNs preferred average 3.0 industries and 448 employees. Both of them preferred two times visit per week for all day long. 3. OHNs wanted that the local office of Ministry of Labor could act as mediator, but employers preferred direct contact individually. For the average wage, employers preferred 887,000 won per month, but OHNs preferred 1,960,000 won per month. 4. OHNs preferred the Korean Association of Occupational Health Nurse as the recruit agency. Finally, employers and OHNs have the opinions that they can choose this system depending on the condition. There is in need of development of effective strategy for this new system such as manpower development, cost-benefit analysis, establishment of occupational health service standard, advertisement for employers, and government supported project.