• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.375-383
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• 2023

Objectives: Coal-fired power plants feature diverse working conditions, including multi-layered employment structures and irregular work cycles due to outsourcing and non-standardized tasks. The current uniform occupational environment measurement systems have limitations in accurately assessing and evaluating these varied conditions. This study aims to propose alternative measurement and assessment strategies to supplement existing methods. Methods: Major domestic coal-fired power plants were selected as the study targets. To prepare for the study and establish strategies, work processes were identified and existing occupational environment measurement results were compared and analyzed. The study proceeded by employing three strategies: specific exposure groups (SEGs) measurement, continuous monitoring, and supplementary measurements, which were then compared and discussed. Results: Previous exposure index evaluations (5,268 cases) indicated that crystalline silica, a type of respirable particulate matter, had detection limits below the threshold (non-detectable) in 82.6% (4,349 cases) of instances. Exposures below 10% of the exposure limit were observed at a very low concentration of 96.1%. Similar exposure group measurements yielded results where detection limits were below the threshold in 38.2% of cases, and exposures below 10% of the limit were observed in 70.6%. Continuous monitoring indicated detection limits below the threshold in 12.6% of cases, and exposures below 10% of the limit were observed in 75.6%. Instances requiring active workplace management accounted for more than 30% of cases, with SEGs at 11.8% (four cases), showing a higher proportion compared to 3.0% (four cases) in continuous monitoring. For coal dust, exposures below 10% of the limit were highest in legal measurements at 90.2% (113 cases), followed by 74.0% (91 cases) in continuous monitoring, and 47.0% (16 cases) in SEGs. Instances exceeding 30% were most prevalent in SEGs at 14.7% (five cases), followed by legal measurements at 5.0% (eight cases), and continuous monitoring at 2.4% (three cases). When examining exposure levels through arithmetic means, crystalline silica was found to be 104.7% higher in SEGs at 0.0088 mg/m³ compared to 0.0043 mg/m³ in continuous monitoring. Coal dust measurements were highest in SEGs at 0.1247 mg/m³, followed by 0.1224 mg/m³ in legal measurements, and 0.0935 mg/m³ in continuous monitoring. Conclusions: Strategies involving SEGs measurement and continuous monitoring can enhance measurement reliability in environments with irregular work processes and frequent fluctuations in working conditions, as observed in coal-fired power plants. These strategies reduce the likelihood of omitting or underestimating processes and enhance measurement accuracy. In particular, a significant reduction in detection limits below the threshold for crystalline silica was observed. Supplementary measurements can identify worker exposure characteristics, uncover potential risks in blind spots of management, and provide a complementary method for legal measurements.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.372-379
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• 2023

Background: Laundry workers are known to be exposed to organic solvents in various works including dry cleaning. Long-term exposure to organic solvents may cause adverse health effects among laundry workers. Objectives: To investigate the association between exposure to organic solvents and symptom of headache or eyestrain among laundry workers. Methods: The subjects were total 267 laundry workers who participated in the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Responses to exposure to 'inhalation of vapor from organic solvent' was categorized into two (non-exposed: rarely or absolutely not exposed during working hours; exposed: ≥1/4 working hours) or three (non-exposed; low exposure: 1/4 of the working hours; high exposure: ≥1/2 working hours) groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between exposure to organic solvents and symptom of headache or eyestrain in the last 12 months among laundry workers. Odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for experience of the symptom of headache or eyestrain with adjustment for age, sex, education, workplace size (by the number of workers), working hours per week, and current working period (year). Results: The proportions of exposure groups, i.e., non-exposed, low exposure, and high exposure, were 80.4%, 11.1%, and 8.5%, respectively. The proportion of those who had symptom of headache or eyestrain in the last 12 months was 18.7%. There was a significant association between exposure to organic solvents and experience of headache or eyestrain (OR=3.2, 95% CI=1.4~7.4). And, the proportion of those who experienced symptom of headache or eyestrain tended to increase significantly as the level of exposure to organic solvents increased (P_trend=0.002). Conclusions: Our results suggest that exposure to organic solvents are associated with symptom of headache or eystrain among laundry workers in Korea. However, further studies with more relevant design is needed to replicate the association.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.128-133
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• 2015

Background: To investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and comorbid health problems, including depression/anxiety disorder, insomnia/sleep disorder, fatigue, and injury by accident, and to determine whether certain physical and psychological factors reduce comorbid health problems. Methods: In total, 29,711 employees were selected from respondents of the Third Korean Working Conditions Survey and categorized into two groups: Musculoskeletal Complaints or Musculoskeletal Sickness Absence. Four self-reported health indicators (overall fatigue, depression/anxiety, insomnia/sleep disorder, and injury by accident) were selected as outcomes, based on their high prevalence in Korea. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between comorbid health problems, musculoskeletal complaints, and sickness absence. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence due to muscular pain was 32.26% and 0.59%, respectively. Compared to the reference group, depression/anxiety disorder and overall fatigue were 5.2-6.1 times more prevalent in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group and insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were 7.6-11.0 times more prevalent in the Sickness Absence Group. When adjusted for individual and work-related physical factors, prevalence of all four comorbid health problems were slightly decreased in both groups. Conclusion: Increases in overall fatigue and depression/anxiety disorder were observed in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group, while increases in insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were observed in the Sickness Absence Group. For management of musculoskeletal complaints and sickness absence in the workplace, differences in health problems between employees with musculoskeletal complaints and those with sickness absence as well as the physical and psychological risk factors should be considered.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제62권3호
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• pp.223-226
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• 2007

저자들은 도색공장에서 작업 도중 우연히 누출된 tetrafluoroethylene 가스의 흡입으로 인하여 급성폐손상을 받았으나 보존적 치료로 별다른 합병증 없이 비교적 짧은 기간에 치유된 남자 환자 1예를 경험하였기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.159-169
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• 2010

Purpose: This is a descriptive study to provide basic material that enables to prevent industrial hospital nurses from occupational stress, health problems and work impairment by understanding their work environment, stress, Presenteeism and correlation among them. Method: The subjects for this study consists of 272 industrial hospital nurses who have attended the training conducted by KAOHN from October to December 2009 and recognized the purpose of this study and agreed to participate. The questionnaire included Korean Version of Occupational Stress questionnaire developed by S.J. Chang and Stanford Presenteeism Scale questionnaire translated by Y.M. Lee. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheff$\acute{e}$ test and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SPSS/WIN 17.0. Result: The industrial hospital nurses get much more stress than the average in three fields of occupational stress: interpersonal conflict, job insecurity and occupational climate. The study shows in particular, the age group of twenties with one to three year work experience having higher than any other groups in occupational stress, work impairment and perceived productivity of Presenteeism. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop management for these groups of nurses. In addition, institutional support and policy should be rendered to secure job conditions so that occupational stress can be relieved from these nurses and to prevent work impairment in advance as occupational stress has substantial correlation with health problems, work impairment and perceived productivity of Presenteeism.

• 대한지역사회영양학회지
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• 제10권5호
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• pp.633-644
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• 2005

The body mass index, blood pressures and blood profiles of adults, who worked at three colleges in the Daejeon area, were evaluated for use in developing well-balanced menus at their workplace cafeterias and/or in creating nutrition education programs tailored to their health statuses. The data analyzed were from physical examinations performed in 2002 and in 2004 by the National Health Insurance Corporation. Overall, levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and serum cholesterol were lower in the 2004 samples than in those of 2002, but most samples in 2004 showed higher levels of SGOT. In 2002, statistical differences occured in the levels of blood pressure and serum cholesterol among age groups, but not in 2004. And in 2004, the older the age group, the higher the BMI. Among subjects in their twenties, three variables (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and serum cholesterol) showed statistical differences; this increased to four variables (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose and serum cholesterol) among subjects in their thirties and to six variables (Hb, SGOT, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose and serum cholesterol) among those in their forties, followed by a decline to four variables (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Hb and serum cholesterol) among subjects in their fifties. In general, the results of physical examinations showed improvements in blood pressure and blood profiles in 2004 in comparison with results in 2002. The level of SGOT was the exception. Despite these improvements, of those employees who had physical examinations in 2004, $5.2\%$ had high blood glucose and $18.1\%$ hypertension, $27.9\%$ hypercholesterolemia, $8.3\%$ registered abnormal liver functions, and $31.3\%$ were classified as overweight and obese. Moreover, because some vulnerable blood profiles were found in the older age groups, various programs, including nutrition education, and/or development of healthful diets as well as excercise activities, may be needed within their workplaces.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.238-245
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• 2014

Objectives: It was known that workers in synthetic leather company are mainly co-exposed to dimethylformamide(DMF) with methyl ethyl ketone(MEK) or toluene(TOL) instead of a single dimethylformamide. This study was examined to the physico-chemical properties in single DMF and binary mixture DMF with MEK or TOL. Materials: Physico-chemical properties were measured by Korean and American Standard Test Methods. Results: Boiling point, specific gravity and flash point in single DMF were significantly higher than binary mixture DMF with MEK or TOL and such difference was dependent on the mixing ratio of MEK and TOL, and low explosion limit in binary mixture DMF with TOL was only significantly lower than single DMF. However, Reid vapor pressure had significantly higher in binary mixture DMF with MEK or TOL compared with single DMF. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the binary mixture DMF with MEK or TOL synergistically increases volatilization of DMF. It was concluded that the interaction between DMF and MEK and/or TOL might play a key role in the volatilization process of DMF under environmental conditions of workplace.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.47-60
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• 2006

BACKGROUND: Social, legal, and economic factors have changed the delivery of care to elderly who are frail and/or chronically ill. Increasing number of the elderly are now treated in the community, while living with or in close proximity to their family. It is evident that families play a major role of support for elderly persons in our society. This paper provides a review and analysis of studies that have investigated informal caregiving issues encompassing physical, psychological, emotional, and social domains. RESULTS OF THE REVIEW: Family caregiving often interfered with workplace and other responsibilities, creating physical, emotional, and financial stress for caregivers. Relatively high volumes of research addressed caregiving issues in the families of Alzheimer patients and in the areas of emotional and psychological impact of caregiving. Few studies explicitly investigated the role of informal caregivers in the management of other chronic conditions such as stroke or depression or physical consequences of long-term caregiving. While most studies were focused on negative aspects of caregiving, a few studies found it rewarding. Often the burden, stress, and socio-economic effects on the family caregiving for an elderly person were not sufficiently appreciated. CONCLUSIONS: Positive outcomes for both the caregiver and the care recipient are more likely to occur when effective levels of collaboration exist between health professionals and caregivers. As a first step, a better understanding of the caregiving experience such as caregiver characteristics, care recipient characteristics, and social stigma is important for nurses to minimize the burden of care so that appropriate interventions can be developed. In addition, further studies are needed to examine the role and needs of informal caregivers in the care of increasing number of frail and/or chronic ill elderly treated in the community.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.163-170
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• 2020

Background: Job satisfaction of dental hygienists has been discussed continuously in dental hygiene research. It has been the most representative performance variable in dental and human resource management. However, in quantitative research, most of the studies have analyzed the causal relationship with variables related to dental hygienists' job satisfaction. The existing qualitative research contains only the studies that targeted dental hygienists with an experience of more than 10 years. The present study aimed to understand and to characterize the job satisfaction of dental hygienists with an experience of 2 to 10 years and to compare it with the qualitative research on dental hygienists with an experience of 10 or more years. Methods: An in-depth interview of dental hygienists with 2 to 10 years of experience working in 10 dental clinics was conducted. For data analysis, Giorgi's analysis method was used. Results: After analyzing the meaning of job satisfaction of dental hygienists, 180 semantic words and 19 subcategories were derived. The results of the interview were categorized into for central meanings: recognition and rewards, work experience and ability improvement, occupational characteristics, and work characteristics. Recognition and rewards included workplace recognition, patient recognition, self-effort and recognition, and the feeling of being rewarded. Work experience and ability improvement included various work experiences and factors relates to improving the work ability. Occupational characteristics included professional job, interest and persistence, job extensibility, and no burden of employment. Work characteristics included working conditions and separation of work and private life. Conclusion: The development of tools to measure the level of dental hygienists' job satisfaction after long-term service and to conduct follow-up research regarding ways and effects to improve job satisfaction is needed.

• 가정과삶의질연구
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.51-73
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to introduce the evolution of corporate family-friendly policies and programs, a recent business issue throughout the world. In addition, this study suggests implications for a corporate reference guide to work-family policies and programs by providing a comparative analysis of the typical stages of development of U.S. corporate family-friendly policies and programs, and by presenting model initiatives of Korean and American family-friendly companies. Just as technological changes at the time of the Industrial Revolution altered the relationship between workers and their work, more recent technological advances have again transformed this relationship, offering the promise of a society in which work demands a smaller portion of the worker's time and permitting the worker more freedom and control over work conditions. These new work arrangements have the promise of producing a new paradigm for work and family, based on which many industrialized nations have developed family-friendly policies already. Family-friendly policies and programs can be grouped into four discernable stages in the evolution of a corporate work-family agenda. According to these stages, most companies in Korea are in the predevelopment stage or stage 1. Development of scales to assess company family-friendliness is needed to create a family-friendly workplace environment, policies, and programs. It is critical that companies have champions who have the vision to step out in kent, and the determination to ensure that the family-friendly programs are solidly grounded. Companies should develop their work-family initiatives as an integral part of a program for managing diversity focusing on needs of women and minority employees.