• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.3 s.27
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• pp.355-367
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• 1989

This study examined the physical and mental health factors affecting the industrial accidents of 142 injured and 1,212 uninjured workers in the shipbuilding industry from 1986 to 1988. The results acquired from the Todai Health Index (THI) and from analysis of the health examination were as follows: 1. Among the personal characteristics of the workers, the educational level of injured workers was significantly lower than that of the uninjured workers. 2. Among the physical characteristics, vision and $R\ddot{o}hrer$ Index of the injured workers were lower than those of the uninjured workers, and the difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, the differences in height, weight, hearing function, hematocrit, blood pressure, urine test, and X-ray findings were not statistically significant between the injured and uninjured workers. 3. The score of the THI questionnaire on the physical and mental health of the injured workers was higher than that of the uninjured workers, and the difference was statistically significant. 4. Form the THI score, the industrial workers had complained more about mental health than physical health and there was a statistically singinficant relation with the industrial accidents. 5. The relative risk expressed in terms of the odds ratio was 2.9 for poorer vision, 2.7 for a lower educational level, 2.2 for a higher THI score and 1.6 for overdrinking. 6 Educational level, vision, and the THI score were selected as significant factors influencing industrial accidents based on a log-linear model. According to the results of this model by logistic analysis, the odds ratio of industrial accidents was 1.8 for a lower educational level, 1.7 for poorer vision, and 1.6 for a higher THI score. 7 By event history analysis with the dependent variable as the duration of work at the time of the industrial accident, educational level, age, $R\ddot{o}hrer$ Index and THI score were the statistically significant variables selected, and the hazard rate of industrial accident occurrence was 0.24 for a lower educational level, 0.92 for age, 0.99 for a lower $R\ddot{o}hrer$ Index and 2.72 for a higher THI score. As we have seen, educational level and THI score were the most significant factors affecting the hazard rate of industrial accidents. Vision, $R\ddot{o}hrer$ Index, age, and drinking behavior were also statistically significant variables influencing industrial accidents. Therefore, in order to prevent industrial accidents, it is necessary to establish a health management plan for industry which can objectively evaluate not only the physical but also the mental health of the workers. If we use this type of study as a prospective study design, we can determine the relative risk of physical and mental health factors on industrial accidents. Furthermore, it is expected that this type of study will provide workers at high risk with more precise basic data for a health managment plan for industrial accident prevention.

• Biomaterials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.328-336
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• 2018

Background: Biogenic fabrication of silver nanoparticles from naturally occurring biomaterials provides an alternative, eco-friendly and cost-effective means of obtaining nanoparticles. It is a favourite pursuit of all scientists and has gained popularity because it prevents the environment from pollution. Our main objective to take up this project is to fabricate silver nanoparticles from lichen, Usnea longissima and explore their properties. In the present study, we report a benign method of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous-ethanolic extract of Usnea longissima and their characterization by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Silver nanoparticles thus obtained were tested for antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria. Results: Formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the appearance of an absorption band at 400 nm in the UV-vis spectrum of the colloidal solution containing both the nanoparticles and U. longissima extract. Poly(ethylene glycol) coated silver nanoparticles showed additional absorption peaks at 424 and 450 nm. FTIR spectrum showed the involvement of amines, usnic acids, phenols, aldehydes and ketones in the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles. Morphological studies showed three types of nanoparticles with an abundance of spherical shaped silver nanoparticles of 9.40-11.23 nm. Their average hydrodynamic diameter is 437.1 nm. Results of in vitro antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Streptococcus viridans, Corynebacterium xerosis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneuomoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative bacteria) showed that it was effective against tested bacterial strains. However, S. mutans, C. diphtheriae and P. aeruginosa were resistant to silver nanoparticles. Conclusion: Lichens are rarely exploited for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles. In the present work the lichen acts as reducing as well as capping agent. They can therefore, be used to synthesize metal nanoparticles and their size may be controlled by monitoring the concentration of extract and metal ions. Since they are antibacterial they may be used for the treatment of bacterial infections in man and animal. They can also be used in purification of water, in soaps and medicine. Their sustained release may be achieved by coating them with a suitable polymer. Silver nanoparticles fabricated from edible U. longissima are free from toxic chemicals and therefore they can be safely used in medicine and medical devices. These silver nanoparticles were stable for weeks therefore they can be stored for longer duration of time without decomposition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Child Welfare
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• no.58
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• pp.231-262
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• 2017

South Korea has long been a culturally homogenous society, yet the increasing number of immigrants has turned the country into a multicultural society. Therefore, many empirical studies have investigated the way immigrants adapt to the Korean society and its associated factors. However, examining the overall process of migration (from family separation to reunification and cultural adaptation to the host society) that immigrant youth usually experience has been understudied. Previous empirical research and theoretical work have identified prominent factors that predict immigrant youth's mental health: experiences of family separation, living with others rather than primary caretakers during the separation, the length of residency in the host society, and family and peer support. In this respect, this exploratory and preliminary study that examined whether the experience of migration process and post-migration are related to Korean immigrant youth's mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation). The result indicated that longer duration of family separation; living with relatives, siblings; and friends rather than primary caretakers during the separation; receiving less support from family and peer after migration; and a lower degree of cultural adaptation to Korean culture were associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Drawing upon the results, this study discussed implications for policy and practice.

• Korean Journal of Comparative Education
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.247-284
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze firm's motivation of participating and investing in apprenticeship in Germany and Korea, and to investigate institutional factors influencing firm's motivation. By comparing institutional factors of the two countries, it aims to drawing out policy implications for improving Korean apprenticeship. The main method for data collection was comprehensive literature review on international organizations, each countries' government and research institutes' policy materials, statistical data, research outputs and media resources related to each countries' apprenticeship. Considering whether firm's motivation for participating and investing in apprenticeship is production-oriented or investment-oriented, Germany is more inclined to investment motivation with firm's covering net cost during apprenticeship period. On the other hand, Korea is more inclined toward production orientation with firm's expectation of gaining net profit during the training period. Why is firm's training motivation different in these two countries? The author tried to find the reason from the difference of institutional factors of the countries by dividing institutional factors into 4 categories: context(tripartite relations, legal framework), input (flexibility of the system, government incentive), process(training contents, training duration, quality assurance), and output(completion/retention rate, apprentice's productivity). The key implication from the comparative analysis of institutional factors is that it is necessary to enforce companies to have "accountability" on the minimum critical elements, but also to ensure them to have "autonomy" on the rest of the elements.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.3-10
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• 2019

The entire duration of the long-term continuous construction contract project cannot be expected when calculating the initial budget as the construction of the contract is carried out annually according to the budget composition. In addition, the statutes related to the defect liability and execution of contracts have not been established systematically in relation to the contract. Therefore, there are many problems at the actual construction site with regard to the defect liability or the performance of the contract in relation to the contract. In this study, the following improvement directions were presented for the efficient operation of the contracts: First, the defect liability is legal and should be specified in an Act rather than an enforcement decree. Second, if the parties to the contract vary in the following order in the contract, the special agreement should be specified in the enforcement decree. Third, in the event of an indirect cost due to the extension of the period of the long-term continuous work, the contingency items of the total project cost management policy should be utilized. Fourth, in the case of general construction contract conditions, clauses related to the purchase of the premium of the CAR, inspection, taking over, defect repair, and defect inspection shall be supplemented.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.289-297
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• 2019

Objectives: To identify the positive rate of and the risk factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI) in mine workers, the objectives of the present study evaluated those among former mine workers. Methods: Between January 2015 and May 2017, former male mine workers who had been subjects for epidemiology research for work-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and had received QuantiFERON-$TB^{(R)}$ Gold In-Tube(QFT-GIT) from the Institute of Occupation and Environment(IOE) under Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service(KCOMWEL) were selected as the study subjects. To identify significant variables for increased risk of LTBI, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 736 male former mine workers were selected as study subjects. The positive rate of LTBI among subjects was 69.2%(509/736). The current smoking[odds ratio(OR), 2.3; 95% confidence interval(CI), 1.1-4.9], COPD(OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9-2.3), department loading(OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.9-3.4) and mining(OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9-2.5), and working duration of over 20(OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9-3.1) and over 30 years(OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.9-4.9) were associated with increased risk of LTBI. The interferon-gamma(IFN-${\gamma}$) level after stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)-specific antigens showed a significantly negative correlation with age(r=-0.126). Conclusions: The present study determined that the high positive rate of LTBI among mine workers was associated with not only the host factors but also the occupational exposure to mine dust.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.530-535
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• 2021

Background: Despite the lack of official COVID-19 statistics, various workplaces and occupations have been at the center of COVID-19 outbreaks. We aimed to compare legal measures and governance established for managing COVID-19 infection risks at workplaces in nine Asia and Pacific countries and to recommend key administrative measures. Methods: We collected information on legal measures and governance from both general citizens and workers regarding infection risks such as COVID-19 from industrial hygiene professionals in nine countries (Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand) using a structured questionnaire. Results: A governmental body overseeing public health and welfare was in charge of containing the spread and occurrence of infectious diseases under an infectious disease control and prevention act or another special act, although the name of the pertinent organizations and legislation vary among countries. Unlike in the case of other traditional hazards, there have been no specific articles or clauses describing the means of mitigating virus risk in the workplace that are legally required of employers, making it difficult to define the responsibilities of the employer. Each country maintains own legal systems regarding access to the duration, administration, and financing of paid sick leave. Many workers may not have access to paid sick leave even if it is legally guaranteed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.200-212
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine the motivational factors of university graduates participating in 'Youth Technology Transfer Specialist Training Project(Youth TLO)' by applying Vroom's expectancy theory. Moreover, it is verified that the effect of actual participation behavior and individual performance improvement for the university graduates in Gyeonggi-do, Busan regions. The motivation factors were consisted of valence, instrumentality, and expectancy. An empirical analysis was conducted of the effects on the verification of the demographic characteristics of the target, the behaviour of personal business participation in the Valence and Force model, and the improvement of performance. Three results were inferred from 322 collected data as follows; First, comparative analysis about expectancy, which related to work experience, according to demographic characteristics such as gender, residence, age, and employment period revealed no significant differences in mean value, except career duration. Especially, the university graduates in 'Youth TLO' who had internship experience had the highest level of recognition for the expectancy. Second, both of valence and force model had influence on participation behavior and performance improvement. Notably, determination of coefficient for the valence model were higher than those for the force model. Third, level of mediation effects for the valence model were higher than those for the force model in respect of direct, indirect, and the total. Moreover, it was verified that the three motivation factors could improve individual performance and participation behavior had partial mediation effect.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.398-407
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• 2018

Background: Occupational skin diseases (OSDs) are frequent in professions with exposure to skin hazards. Thus, a health educational intervention for apprentices of high-risk professions was conducted. It was the aim of this study to gain insight into possible effects of this intervention. Methods: A one-time skin protection seminar was conducted in 140 apprentices of health-related and non-health-related professions [trained cohort (TC)]. In addition, 134 apprentices of the same occupations were monitored [untrained cohort (UTC)]. The OSD-specific knowledge and the skin condition of the hands were assessed at baseline (T0), after the seminar (T1), and after 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3). Results: The OSD-specific knowledge increased in all cohorts from T0 to T3, but we found a significantly higher knowledge in the TC at T2 (p < 0.001, t = 3.6, df = 196, 95% confidence interval = 0.9, 3.3) and T3 (p < 0.001, t = 3.8, df = 196, 95% confidence interval = 1.0, 3.2) compared to the UTC. Our results indicated a better skin condition of the hands in the TC of the health-related professions but not in the non-health-related professions. Conclusion: The study indicates that an educational intervention may positively influence the disease-specific knowledge and the prevalence of OSD in apprentices. However, definite conclusions cannot be drawn because of the heterogeneous study cohorts and the study design. Future research should aim at tailoring primary prevention to specific target groups, e.g., in view of the duration and frequency of skin protection education, different professions, and gender-specific prevention approaches.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.213-225
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• 2021

Objectives: This study identifies the trends in possible and probable occupational disease among chromium workers and reviews the literature on domestic and foreign chromium workers to review the industries, biological exposure levels, and major results. Methods: The results of the Ministry of Employment and Labor's special health-screening program for hazard agents among workers from 2009 to 2019 were used. Also, the industries, biological exposure levels, and major results on chromium workers were reviewed using PubMed and RISS. Results: The average annual proportion of both possible and probable occupational disease for chromium workers has recently increased. The average annual proportion of possible and probable occupational disease that can occur was high for both men and women in their 60s or older by age and 10 to 14 years by work duration. By industry, possible occupational disease showed high in manufacturing. In the literature review, many electroplating-related chromium-workers reported high levels of exposure to blood and urine chromium, as did dental technicians; tannery, tile factory or glass mill workers; cement workers; and sodium bichromate workers. Furthermore, a number of main findings in recent studies have reported that chromium exposure is related to genetic toxicity among workers. Conclusions: In this study, the average annual rate of both possible and probable occupational disease in domestic chromium workers is increasing, and a body of literature shows that chromium exposure is related to genetic toxicity and associated indicators among workers, which requires more systematic study.