• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the assessment of exposure to welding fume and heavy metals among construction welders. Methods: Activity-specific personal air samplings(n=206) were carried out at construction sites of three apartment, two office buildings, and two plant buildings using PVC(poly vinyl chloride) filters with personal air samplers. The concentration of fumes and heavy metals were evaluated for five different types of construction welding jobs: general building pipefitter, chemical plant pipefitter, boiler maker, ironworker, metal finishing welder. Results: The concentration of welding fumes was highest among general building pipefitters($4.753mg/m^3$) followed by ironworkers($3.765mg/m^3$), boilermakers($1.384mg/m^3$), metal finishing welders($0.783mg/m^3$), chemical pipefitters($0.710mg/m^3$). Among the different types of welding methods, the concentration of welding fumes was highest with the $CO_2$ welding method($2.08mg/m^3$) followed by SMAW(shield metal arc welding, $1.54mg/m^3$) and TIG(tungsten inert gas, $0.70mg/m^3$). Among the different types of workplace, the concentration of welding fumes was highest in underground workplaces($1.97mg/m^3$) followed by outdoor($0.93mg/m^3$) and indoor(wall opening as $0.87mg/m^3$). Specifically comparing the workplaces of general building welders, the concentration of welding fumes was highest in underground workplaces($7.75mg/m^3$) followed by indoor(wall opening as $2.15mg/m^3$). Conclusions: It was found that construction welders experience a risk of expose to welding hazards at a level exceeding the exposure limits. In particular, for high-risk welding jobs such as general building pipefitters and ironworkers, underground welding work and $CO_2$ welding operations require special occupational health management regarding the use of air supply and exhaust equipment and special safety and health education and fume mask are necessary. In addition, there is a need to establish construction work monitoring systems, health planning and management practices.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.101-116
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• 2004

Korea has the highest traffic accident occurrence rate in the world. It means that we are forced to face a tremendous amount of economic loses and great cost of life. Even though this phenomenon consistently has arose as a public issue every year and many researchers have emphasized the importance of safety education as the fundamental solution, we are still trying to make a long-lasting and effective traffic safety education programs for children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of web-based learning for traffic safety in Korea middle school. For this purpose, the instructive model was constructed based on the ASSURE model and a special web-site of education was developed on behalf of practical use of multi-media learning materials for the traffic safety. The research subject was represented by 259 students from second grade in 2 middle schools located in Seoul Korea. The traffic safety education program using web-site was preceded to the 136 students as a case group for 45 minutes total 3 times. Other 126 students are control group those who did not get with this program. The survey was conducted before and after the education. The results of this study were as follow: 1. The knowledge analysis from the comparison between before and after of the lesson showed case group and control group scored average at 11.25 points and 10.97 points. However, after they attended programs, case group scored 13.57 points and control group scored 10.85 points. The difference from the result of the case group was statistically significant(p<0.001). 2. The attitude analysis from the comparison between before and after of the lesson showed case group and control group scored averages at 29.59 points and 28.21 points. However, after they attended program, case group scored 37.23 points and control group scored 32.71 points. The difference from the result of the case group was statistically significant(p<0.05). 3. Regarding the domain analysis by means of web-based traffic safety education, only the case group had a statistically significant score in the case of knowledge 'safe utilization of bicycle' and 'The Characteristic of Automobile and Safer Mode of Walking for Pedestrian'(p<0.01, p< 0.001), and in the case of attitude 'safe walking and crossing' 'The Characteristic of Automobile and Safer Mode of Walking for Pedestrian'(p<0.01, p<0.001). 4. Web based instruction for traffic safety was effective in terms of improving students' knowledge and attitude for traffic safety.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.468-472
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• 2018

Background: Firefighters are required to use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which impairs ventilatory mechanics. We hypothesized that firefighters have elevated arterial $CO_2$ when using SCBA. Methods: Firefighters and controls performed a maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and two graded exercise tests (GXTs) at 25%, 50%, and 70% of their maximal aerobic power, once with a SCBA facemask and once with protective clothing and full SCBA. Results: Respiratory rate increased more in controls than firefighters. Heart rate increased as a function of oxygen consumption ($V_{O_2}$) more in controls than firefighters. End-tidal $CO_2$ ($ETCO_2$) during the GXTs was not affected by work rate in either group for either condition but was higher in firefighters at all work rates in both GXTs. SCBA increased $ETCO_2$ in controls but not firefighters. Conclusions: The present study showed that when compared to controls, firefighters' hypoventilate during a maximal test and GXT. The hypoventilation resulted in increased $ETCO_2$, and presumably increased arterial $CO_2$, during exertion. It is proposed that firefighters have altered $CO_2$ sensitivity due to voluntary hypoventilation during training and work. Confirmation of low $CO_2$ sensitivity and the consequence of this on performance and long-term health remain to be determined.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2012

This study was conducted on 4th and 5th grade elementary school students in Daegu, Korea for the purpose of promoting health and proper dietary habits. A children food safety education program was developed and its effects evaluated on 4th and 5th graders (3,932 students for 4th year, 4,438 students for 5th year) at 46 elementary schools, which were under the jurisdiction of the four educational bureaus of Daegu city. Education was conducted in accordance with an education design plan, of which there were two goals, including know the contents of 'special act on children's dietary life safety management' and 'practice proper hand-washing'. 'Special act on children's dietary life safety management' was explained, and the education curriculum included proper hand-washing for prevention of food poisoning, quality certification mark on children's favorite foods, harmful foods such as unsanitary and adulterated foods, and green food zone. Flash songs, PowerPoint, 'glitter burger' notice note, and banner were used as education media. It was found that the awareness level of items related to 'special act on children's dietary life safety management' increased significantly after education (p<0.001). 'Necessity of nutrition education and children's food safety' also increased significantly (p<0.05) after education. Lastly, children answered that they washed their hands more often after education (62.9%) than before (60.7%).

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of health education in students, their parents and teachers in the elementary, middle and high schools and the current situation of health education class. Method: The subjects of this study were a total of 9450 persons including students, their parents and teachers from 279 schools throughout the country. They were selected through convenient sampling. Data were analyzed through $\chi^2$-test and ANOVA. Result: Students, their parents and teachers replied that 18 dimensions of health education class (DHEC) are necessary. The four DHEC - healthier life style, sex education, mental health and safety education - showed high educational needs in students, their parents, and teachers. High school students had higher educational need of 'symptom management for daily living' than elementary and middle school students. Students, their parents and teachers in elementary school had higher educational needs of 17 DHEC than those in middle and high school. The percentages of schools with health education class taught by health teachers were 99.2%, 75.5% and 66.0% respectively in elementary, middle and high schools. Health education was given mainly using physical education classes at elementary schools, and creative class hours at middle and high schools. In general, health education took 1-3 hours per week at elementary schools, and less than an hour at middle and high schools. Conclusion: Therefore, based on the results, systematic health education class should begin from elementary school to meet the need of health education in students, their parents and teachers, and further study should be made on the number of hours required and the amount of contents of 18 DHEC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.96-101
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• 2007

Usually pictograms embedded in safety signs are such final means to transmit hazard information that the importance of them cannot be emphasized too much. Nevertheless, in Korea, few people are interested in safety signs and their functions so that evaluation of safety signs are seldom committed nor safety signs draw workers' attention to fulfill their functions. Therefore this research aimed to standardize the procedure for developing safety signs in order not only to give practical help to industrial workers but to match them international standards, and to develop a few examples through the suggested standard procedure. As results, a procedure for developing industrial safety signs was developed by combining both ANSI Z535.3 and ISO 9186 with a special emphasis on action inducibility as the former emphasized as well as comprehensibility as the latter suggested. According to test results with undergraduate students as well as industrial workers on a few signs developed through the suggested procedure, action inducibility was higher whereas confusion rate was lower than expected on one hand, and it could be concluded that the procedure would supply results that can be satisfied on the other hand.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.12-31
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to develop the qualification system for training of Quality improvement professionals who work for improving patients' safety and healthcare quality. Methods : Based on the various laws and regulations, and the operational status of other professionals' qualification systems, a basic plan of professional qualification system of QI was drawn. And through meetings with QI experts, the final scheme of the concrete qualification system was developed. Results : For management of professionals's certification or qualification, fairness and reliability are important. To do this, setting the official standard, providing a standardized training program and having appropriate qualification test are required. In order to operate the qualification system strategically, 1) the introduction step, 2) dissemination and expansion step, and 3) fusing step should be considered. As a governing body for QI specialists' qualification, 'QI professionals' qualification Center (tentative)' must have the committee to assure fairness, professionalism, and reliability. In addition, 'QI Experts Certification Department (tentative)" to develop standards for the qualification tests and conduct the tests program,' QI experts Education Department (tentative name)" must be able to operate and maintain the QI training for professional qualifications. QI professional qualification exam must be taken by everyone regardless of age, gender, race, occupation, education, and work experience. The examination should include management, leadership, strategic planning and design, quality management, health care information, patient safety culture. Practical training courses can have three step programs; beginning, intermediate and special level. Conclusion : The QI qualification system need strategic approaches for the experts working for healthcare quality improvement and patient safety. It should include the program of standardized contents and test, and operating protocol of the qualificaton system.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the status of maternity protection in the industries for the development of educational database used by occupational health nurses (OHNs). Method: 100 OHNs were purposively sampled and they were charged in the occupational health manager of their own industries. Data were collected by the postal mail, the response rate was 53.0%, and analysis rate was 43.0%. Result: The results were as follows; 1. Most of subjects responded there was the institutionalization of a special holiday for woman workers (97.7%) and 90 days maternity leave (95.4%). Otherwise, the numbers of industry were smaller in the case of providing the breast-feeding time, temporary rest from office for child raring, restriction of hazard job, night job, and over time. The application rates were lower than the rate of institutionalization of all maternity protection items. 2. There were significant differences in institutionalization of maternity protection by the activity of the trade union. And the numbers of the industry applying the maternity protection were significantly different by the area and the types of industry. 3. Most OHNs responded 17 subjects were needed to the maternity protection education for women workers. Conclusion: It would be needed to develop the maternity protection education database in base of the status of maternity protection in the industries and the need of maternity protection education. The role of OHNs for maternity protection was expected to activate.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.39-50
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• 2011

This study surveys the state of 'children's snacks' sold within the Green Food Zone and that of High Calorie Foods with Low Nutrition Value (HCFLNV). The main purposes are the analyses of foods in accordance to KFDA Program for HCFLNV and an analysis of differences in HCFLNV that are dependent on relevant factors such as food types, school types, origins, the scale of manufacturing company, area and price. Based on the analyses, educational and political implications have been sought that will form nutritious dietary habits, contribute to the prevention of obesity, and improve health in child consumers. The methodologies of this study are literature studies and surveys. The results of this study can be summarized as following. First, the number of children's snacks is 517 items of total 645 gathered within 150 Green Food Zones. Candies are the most popular item, next are cookies, chocolates, and breads. Second, in the real state survey there are 186 HCFLNV (36.0%) among children's snacks sold within Green Food Zone. Based on the survey results, the marking of HCFLNV on the package of children's snacks and the extension of the ban of HCFLNV sales to all stores within the Green Food Zone are strongly suggested. This provides preliminary data related to children's snacks and food safety. With enforcement of the Special Act on the Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life, the rate of HCFLNV has decreased and the child snack product environment in stores has improved. However, it is necessary to supervise low-priced snacks and promote an awareness of HCFLNV along with the child consumer education of food safety is needed.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.99-131
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• 2011

To strengthen the protection of human research subjects and human materials, the Korean Ministry of Health and welfare proposed the amendment bill of Bioethics and Safety Law(2010) to the Congress. It includes so many meaningful clauses. According to the bill, the scope that this act shall apply will be expended to the research involving human subjects and human materials. In the bill, there are the principles of this act; the protection of the life, health, and dignity of the human subjects, the obtaining of the adequate informed consent, the protection of the human subject's information confidentiality and the human subject's privacy, the assessment and minimizing of the risks involved and the guarantee of the safety for the human subjects, the preparation of the special protection program for the vulnerable human subjects, and so on. According to the bill, Institutional Bioethics Review Board(the same as Institutional Review Board) will be responsible for the auditing and monitoring on the research that was approved by IBRB, conducting the education program for the researchers, IBRB members and administrative staffs, preparing of the special protection program for the vulnerable human subjects, and forming the guidelines for the researchers as well as the review of the research protocols. And the State and local governments shall take necessary measures to support the expending of the social infrastructure. In addition to, IBRB will have to be assessed and to be gained the accreditation by the Korean Ministry of Health and welfare. So, if Bioethics and Safety Law is amended, it will contribute enormously to enhance the level of the human research subjects protection. Also, if this Law is amended, IBRB will play a major role for the conduct of the ethically, scientifically, and legally proper research. But now, as a matter of fact, the capability of IBRB members and IBRB office members is not enough to charge of this role because some people and some organizations does not know the importance of IBRB exactly. In spite of, IBRB shall be able to this role to protect the human subjects and to develop the level of the research On the international level. Therefore, the State, local governments and the Organization shall back up the administrative and financial terms of the IRB and IRB Office.