• Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychological effects of an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a newly emerged infectious disease, on doctors. Methods After the MERS outbreak was over, we conducted an online survey of doctors who worked at the hospitals in which exposure to MERS cases had been confirmed or who were directly involved in MERS diagnosis and treatment. The Patient Health Questionnaires-9 (PHQ-9) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) assessment methods were used to assess the severity of depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms among the 64 doctors participating in the survey. Results The results of the survey indicate that 26.6% (n=17) of participants exhibited depressive symptoms and 7.8% (n=5) had post-traumatic stress symptoms. The doctors employed at hospitals with MERS cases had higher PHQ-9 and IES-R mean scores than those in doctors were not so employed. In contrast, there was no significant difference in those test scores between doctors who participated directly in MERS diagnosis and treatment and those doctors who did not. Conclusion The survey demonstrated that 28.1% (n=18) of doctors involved in MERS care suffered from depressive or posttraumatic stress symptoms, even though the MERS infection was being controlled. Working at a hospital with MERS cases was the primary determinant of the adverse psychological outcomes among doctors ; however, direct participation in the diagnosis and care of MERS patients was not significantly related to such outcomes.

• Infection and chemotherapy
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.319-327
• /
• 2018

Background: Lancet-related needlestick injuries (NSIs) occur steadily in clinical practices. Safety-engineered devices (SEDs) can systematically reduce NSIs. However, the use of SEDs is not active and no study to guide the implementation of SEDs was known in South Korea. The lancet-related NSIs may be eliminated to zero incidence using a SED lancet with effective sharp injury protection and reuse prevention features. Materials and Methods: We implemented a SED lancet by replacing a conventional prick lancet in a tertiary hospital in a sequential approach. A spot test of the new SED was conducted for 1 month to check the acceptability in practice and a questionnaire survey was obtained from the healthcare workers (HCWs). A pilot implementation of the SED lancet in 2 wards was made for 1 year. Based on these preliminary interventions, a hospital-wide full implementation of the SED lancet was launched. The incidence of NSIs and cost expenditure before and after the intervention were compared. Results: There were 29 cases of conventional prick lancet-related NSIs for 3 years before the full implementation of SED lancet. The proportion of prick lancet-related NSIs among yearly all kinds of NSIs during two years before the pilot study was average 11.7% (22/188). Pre-interventional baseline incidence of all kinds of NSIs was 7.01 per 100 HCW-years. After the full implementation of SED lancet, the lancet-related NSIs became zero in the 2nd year (P = 0.001). The average direct cost of 18,393 US dollars (USD) per year from device and post-exposure medical care before the intervention rose to 20,701 USD in the 2nd year of the intervention. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 210 USD per injury avoided. Conclusion: The implementation of a SED lancet could eliminate the lancet-related NSIs to zero incidence. The cost increase incurred by the use of SED lancet was tolerable.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.330-348
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study is to derive useful theoretical and practical implications for the prevention and overcoming of burnout of visiting caregivers by conducting a qualitative case study researb on the burnout experience of visiting caregivers. To this end, we analyzed the context in which visiting caregivers experienced relationships with the elderly 65 years of age or older and their family carers for long-term care benefit service, and the dispatched home elderly welfare center. As a result, a total of 12 high-level categories were derived, Which were 'I fell into a suspicious person', 'Fallen self-esteem', 'Visiting caregiver activity I don't want to do anymore', 'Oppressed being', 'In a violent situation Exposure', 'Devaluated care worker', 'Work that is difficult to be recognized as a professional occupation', 'Labor where the boundaries of work are not clear', 'Disappointment with family guardians', 'Social awareness and effort that is not easy to improve', 'Poor treatment of dispatching agencies' and 'Distrust of dispatching agencies'.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.500-508
• /
• 2020

Background: Research on the status of many chemicals used in the semiconductor industry is needed. The purpose of this study was to describe the overall status of chemical use in the semiconductor industry in Korea and to examine it from a health perspective. Methods: Data on the status of chemical use and safety data sheets at 11 of 12 major semiconductor workplaces in Korea were collected. The number of chemical products and chemical constituents, quantities of chemicals, and trade secret ingredients used, as well as the health hazards were examined. Results: On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16-56%) contained at least one trade secret ingredient. Most of the trade secret ingredients were used in the photolithography process. Several carcinogens, including sulfuric acid, chromic acid, ethylene oxide, crystalline silica, potassium dichromate, and formaldehyde were also used. Only 29% (39 of 135) of the chemical constituents had occupational exposure limits, and more than 60% had no National Fire Protection Association health, safety, and reactivity ratings. Based on the aforementioned results, this study revealed the following. First, many chemical products and constituents are being used in the semiconductor industry and many products contained trade secret ingredients. Second, many products contained significant amounts of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials. Conclusion: We conclude that protecting workers in the semiconductor industry against harm from chemical substances will be difficult, due to widespread use of trade secret ingredients and a lack of hazard information. The findings of the status of chemical use and the health and safety risks in semiconductor industry will contribute to epidemiological studies, safe workplace, and worker health protection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.52-59
• /
• 2023

Due to the routine nature of social distancing in accordance with the COVID-19 pandemic, the logistics industry is under rapid development, given that offline demand is focused on online platforms. The number of warehouse workplaces and workers are steadily increasing per annum, and the industrial accident rate of transportation, warehouse, and telecommunication industries to which warehouse employees belong is higher than the total industrial accident rate in Korea. In previous studies, warehouse workers reported exposure to health hazards such as musculoskeletal disorders due to the handling of heavy objects and improper working postures. Accordingly, in this study, a survey was conducted to investigate symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders with focus on parcel delivery workers nationwide. The questionnaire included a musculoskeletal disorder symptom survey table to identify information such as worker occupational history, work type, and signs or symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders. Survey response data from 453 people were obtained to determine the influence of delivery business characteristics on occupational musculoskeletal disorders, and the influencing factors were analyzed. Based on the results, in the analysis of pain with respect to body part, the duration, degree, and frequency of pain were highest in the leg part, and as a result, the average value for the leg part exhibited a significant difference from those of other body parts. In addition, 52.32% of workers exhibited symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, and a high number of patients with musculoskeletal disorders was observed in the work group with less than three years of service and with ages ranging from 30-39. The results of this study can serve as basic data for the derivation of a management plan that meets the characteristics of musculoskeletal disorders that impact logistics workers overburdened with work due to the rapid increase in parcel delivery volume in accordance with an increase in online consumption.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.267-271
• /
• 2023

Background: The objective of this study is to identify the working conditions and health status of Vietnamese male migrant workers in Republic of Korea, in comparison to the Korean general population. Methods: We conducted our survey through the Migrant People Center, and we received completed questionnaires from 87 male Vietnamese migrant workers. The questionnaire employed was identical to those used in the Korean Working Conditions Survey and the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The collected data from the Vietnamese migrant workers was then compared with the Korean reference population using indirect age-standardization. Results: Vietnamese male workers demonstrated a higher prevalence of health problems including hearing problems (age-standardized prevalence ratio (aSPR) 13.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.07-20.4), skin problems (aSPR 13.49, 95% CI: 8.07-20.4), and low back pain (aSPR 8.40, 95% CI: 6.50-10.69). Elevated exposure to workplace hazards such as chemicals (aSPR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.51-3.51), organic solvents (aSPR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.44-3.28), handling of heavy objects (aSPR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.24-2.21), and high temperatures (aSPR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.46-2.57) was observed among them. Additionally, they faced a higher risk of no personal protective equipment (aSPR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.26-4.52) and a greater prevalence of unmet medical needs (aSPR 7.14, 95% CI: 4.74-10.32). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the elevated workplace hazards, health problems, and unmet medical needs among Vietnamese male workers compared to the Korean reference population. These findings underscores the urgency for enhanced scrutiny over working conditions and protective equipment provision, coupled with efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and worker education.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2024

Purpose: Construction sites are currently facing a socialization problem as the incidence of thermal disease-related disasters increases due to summer heat waves, exacerbated by factors like the concentration of middle-aged and older workers and global warming. The reason why construction sites are particularly vulnerable to heat waves is that there are many outdoor work, which is the peculiarity of the construction industry, and most of the construction workers are elderly. This study analyzes disaster statistics of workers at construction sites for five years to investigate the occurrence of thermal diseases and analyze factors through disaster cases to provide basic data for future disasters to be reduced. Research design, data, and methodology: According to the Construction Workers' Mutual Aid Association, as of June, more than 60% of the construction workers working in the field were in their 50s and 60s. More than 24% are in their 60s and older. Thermal diseases caused by heat waves occur when exposed to high heat or strong sunlight for a long time, accompanied by headaches and dizziness. The problem is that many elderly people have underlying diseases, so if they lose consciousness, they cannot easily recover and are likely to die. Results: According to industrial accident statistics, 182 people were injured by heat-related diseases in the summer from 2016 to 2021, of which 29 died. In particular, in the construction industry, which has a lot of outdoor work, 87 people were injured and 20 people died. Conclusions: In order to prevent heat diseases caused by outdoor work, it is emphasized that exposure time is controlled, and sufficient rest and hydration are essential. Rest, water, and shade are in line with the three principles.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.34
• /
• pp.24.1-24.13
• /
• 2022

Background: In modern society, depression is serious issue that causes socioeconomic and family burden. To decrease the incidence of depression, risk factors should be identified and managed. Among many risk factors for depression, this study examined socioeconomic risk factors for depression. Methods: We utilized first (2006), second (2008), and third (2010)-wave data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Depressive symptom was measured with the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Short Form (CES-D-10) in the survey in 2008 and 2010. Three risk factors including job security, employment type and monthly income were measured in the survey in 2006. The association between risk factors and depressive symptom was analyzed by Cox proportional-hazard model. Results: We analyzed data from 1,105 workers and hazard ratios (HRs) for 3 risk factors were significant entirely. In addition, regular worker with high income group is the most vulnerable group of poor job insecurity on depression among male workers (HR: 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.81). Finally, HRs for 7 groups who had at least 1 risk factor had higher HRs compared to groups who had no risk factors after stratifying 3 risk factors. In the analysis, significantly vulnerable groups were total 5 groups and the group who had highest HR was temporary/daily workers with poor job security (HR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.36-4.64). The results concerning women, regardless of job type, were non-significant. Conclusions: This study presented one or more risk factors among poor job security, low income, temporary/daily employment type increase hazard for depressive symptom in 2 or 4 years after the exposure. These results inform policy to screen for and protect against the risk of depression in vulnerable groups.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.38-43
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Patients injected with FDG use the bathroom that Measured surface contamination level and spatial dose rate. This study about the effect that result affects workers in same part. Materials and Methods: Group1 is St. Vincent' s hospital's 60case. Group 2 is Bucheon St. Mary's hospital's 50case. Last case is lower the average daily number of patients than group 2. Measured time is 8:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. Measured part is 4 point of toilet, basin and wastepaper basket, also measured accumulation dose of toilet during 3 month. Hospitals is installed PET/CT ware surveyed on presence of bathroom that used only by patient and worker has been using the bathroom. Results: The highest average surface contamination level of toilet is group1($8.38{\pm}4.56$), but the highest spatial dose rate is group3. Cumulative exposure dose measured by TLD during 3months is St.Vincent's hospital 0.78 mSv and Bucheon St.Mary's hospital 0.37 mSv. And result of survey is 16.12% worker using the bathroom. Conclusions: The more daily number of patient, the higher surface contamination level of bathroom. Especially, wastepaper basket's surface contamination level is exceed the reference value $4Bq/cm^2$. Based on This survey, Bathroom require special attention and proper decontamination.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.135-144
• /
• 2001

This study was performed to measure airborne dimethylformamide(DMF), methyl ethyl ketone(MEK) and toluene and their urinary metabolites concentrations and to determine the relationship between airborne and urinary concentration. Airborne samples and their urinary metabolites were measured 98 male workers who work for 8 synthetic leather factories in a portion of Kyoung-In area. Urine samples were collected at end-of-shift to estimate the exposure levels. 1. The concentration of airborne DMF by process was 8.81 ppm for wet-mixing, 15.05 ppm for wet-coating, 6.03 ppm for dry-mixing, 5.58 ppm for dry-coating, 5.37 ppm for printing, and 9.03 ppm for total. There was statistically significant difference by process. Urinary NMF concentrations of wet-mixing, wet-coating, dry-mixing, dry-coating and printing were $90.55mg/{\ell}$, $79.80mg/{\ell}$, $39.86mg/{\ell}$, $25.23mg/{\ell}$, and $38.15mg/{\ell}$, respectively, and total geometric mean was $56.24mg/{\ell}$. There was significant difference by process. 2. The concentration of airborne MEK by process was 1.89 ppm for wet-mixing, 1.96 ppm for wet-coating, 10.33 ppm for dry-mixing, 29.24 ppm for dry-coating, 14.98 ppm for printing, and 4.87 ppm for total. There was statistically significant difference by process. Urinary MEK concentrations of wetmixing, wet-coating, dry-mixing, dry-coating and printing were $0.93mg/{\ell}$, $0.70mg/{\ell}$, $3.29mg/{\ell}$, $3.29mg/{\ell}$, and $1.06mg/{\ell}$, respectively, and total geometric mean was $1.25mg/{\ell}$. There was statistically significant difference by process. Urinary MEK 3. The concentration of airborne toluene by process was 0.35ppm for wet-mixing, 0.42ppm for wet-coating, 2.95ppm for dry-mixing, 11.67ppm for dry-coating, 4.88ppm for printing, 1.24ppm for total. There was statistically significant difference by process. Urinary hippuric acid concentrations of wet-mixing, wet-coating, dry-mixing, dry-coating and printing were 0.24g/g creatinine, 0.21g/g creatinine, 0.34g/g creatinine, 0.52g/g creatinine, and 0.29g/g creatinine, respctively and total geometric mean was 0.28g/g creatinine. There was statistically significant difference by process. 4. No. of exceeded KPEL was 40 workers(40.8%) for DMF(10ppm), 1 worker(1.0%) for MEK(200ppm), and no worker for toluene(100ppm). No. of exceeded KBEI was 62 workers(63.3%) for urinary NMF($40mg/{\ell}$), 29 workers(29.6%) for urinary MEK, 1 worker(1.0%) for urinary hippuric acid. 5. The regression equations were Log(NMF)=0.4094*Log(DMF)+1.3587(r=0.4516) for DMF, Log(MEKU)=0.1859*Log(MEK)-0.0324(r=0.3303) for MEK, Log(HA)=0.2106*Log(Toluene)-0.5685(r=0.4497) for toluene. Synthetic leather factory workers expose to 3 kinds of organic solvents which are DMF, MEK and toluene. Their urinary NMF and MEK levels were higher than their concentration levels through respiratory. It seems that the urinary levels were affected skin absorption for working habit and alcohol intake.