• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the variables of the agency factors affected the number of occupational fatalities in the construction industry in order to determine whether there is a relationship between the number of occupational fatalities occurring at the construction sites and the agency. The considered agencies are KOSHA (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) and MOEL (Ministry of Employment and Labor). The variables of two agency factors are classified as follows: the variables of two agency factors are the number of employees, budget amounts, technical support and guidance for construction sites of KOSHA, and the number of labor inspectors, the number of inspection and oversight workplace, the number of criminally punished construction sites and fines levied on them in the industrial accident prevention departments of Regional Employment and Labor Office. The multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the effect of two agency factors on the total number of occupational fatalities in the construction industry. The policy implications derived from this study are that, in order to reduce the fatalities of construction sites by KOSHA, the appropriate level of increased budget for KOSHA must be secured every year. In addition, the amount of fines levied on construction sites by the labor inspector in the industrial accident prevention departments of Regional Employment and Labor Office reduces the occupational fatalities at the construction sites.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.208-212
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• 2016

Background: Outdoor workers are at risk of high ultraviolet radiation exposure, and may have difficulty using sun protection. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of sun protection behaviors in a sample of outdoor construction workers, and to assess which factors predict better sun protection practices. Methods: Participants were recruited via construction unions. Workers answered a questionnaire on demographics, skin cancer risk, sun protection behaviors, and job. Sun protection behavior scores (from questions on sunscreen use, sleeved shirt, hat, shade seeking, sunglasses) were calculated by converting Likert-scale answers to scores from 0 to 4, and taking the mean (separately for work and leisure). Determinants of sun protection behavior scores were examined for work and leisure using generalized linear models. Results: Seventy-seven workers had complete questionnaire data (participation 98%). Sun protection behaviors used most often were hats (79% often/always) and sleeved shirts (82% often/always); least prevalent were shade-seeking (8% often/always) and sunscreen (29% often/always). For both work and leisure scores, the strongest predictor was skin type, with fairer-skinned individuals having higher sun protection behavior scores. Workers had higher scores at work than on weekends. Workplaces that required hats and sleeved shirts for safety purposes had higher protection behavior scores. Conclusion: This high-participation rate cohort helps characterize sun protection behaviors among outdoor workers. Workers practiced better sun protection at work than on weekends, suggesting that workplace policies supportive of sun protection could be useful for skin cancer prevention in the construction industry.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.225-239
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• 2010

A high prevalence of farmer's work-related musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) have been reported in precedent studies. Risk factors - physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic risk factor etc. - in farm-work were identified by previous studies. To prevent farmers from exposing to them and reduce, Agricultural Safety Technology were introduced and used on farm. The purpose of this study is to review and summarize the agricultural safety technology on farm in Korea. According to strategy principles, this technology is classified as four criteria - workload reduction by reducing awkward posture, workload reduction by using manual material handling aids, Comfort improvement by protecting worker from hot, cold environment and work efficiency improvement by workplace redesign and cultivation modification. This technology includes transporting tools, working cloth, personal protective equipment, and pesticide-proof Clothing. Anthropometric study of Korean farmers was also carried out to support the development of equipment and clothes. In long terms, it needs to precaution activity from risk factors by using cultivation modification and working improvement. Although working condition gets better and workload reduce by this technology, it required customized safety technology in each crops - rice cultivation, horticulture and livestock farming. And farmers should use the assistive technology and participate voluntarily in ergonomic intervention program.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2016

Objectives: To review reference levels by the international and domestic management and provide the basis for setting occupational exposure limits(OELs) of radon in Korea Methods: Government's organizations with laws and systems for monitoring radon exposure were investigated and compared. There are five laws governing Indoor Air Quality(IAQ) control such as Occupational Safety and Health Act, Indoor Air Quality Control in Public Use Facilities, Etc. Act, School Health Act, Public Health Control Act and Parking Lot Act in Korea. It was surveyed that a total of 32 countries including 24 countries in the European Union(EU), six countries in Asian and two countries in North America setting the reference levels for radon in the world. Results: In Korea, there are set guidelines for radon in the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Education. Reference levels of radon for existing dwellings were $150{\sim}400Bq/m^3$ for Western European countries, and $200{\sim}1,500Bq/m^3$ in Eastern European countries. Approximately 67% of those EU countries were set up $400Bq/m^3$ to the standards for existing dwellings. EU countries such as Luxembourg, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia had adopted mandatory level for radon. Radon guidelines for new dwellings were set more strictly reference level($200Bq/m^3$) than existing dwellings. Conclusions: International organizations such as ICRP, UNSCEAR and NCRP, etc. had recommended the guidelines for radon. It was calculated the relation of the dose conversion factors with the annual effective doses. the OELs of radon suggest to need to establish $150Bq/m^3$ for office room and $400{\sim}1,000Bq/m^3$ for the workplace.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.140-146
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• 2014

Background: Young male and female workers are over-represented in statistics concerning negative outcomes of poor work environment and risky work. Young workers often have low awareness of risk, a lack of safety training, and inadequate introduction to the work. The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge and experiences of pupils of vocational schools concerning potential work environment risks in their future work. Methods: The study design was a dual one, and included a questionnaire and focus group interviews. The study group consisted of 239 pupils from 10 upper secondary schools, who were graduating pupils in four vocational programs: the Industrial Technology Programme, the Restaurant Management and Food Programme, the Transport Programme, and the Handicraft Programme (in which students specialize in wood products). The upper secondary schools were located in the central region of Sweden. Results: The pupils had limited knowledge that employers must, by law, conduct risk analyses and prevent risks. Many felt that they themselves are mainly responsible for performing their tasks safely. Pupils in all programs mentioned acute risk as the greatest risk at work. The theoretical education about safety at work was provided in the $1^{st}$ year of the 3-year vocational programs. Conclusion: A systematic approach to pupils' training in work environment, which is a basis for a safe and healthy workplace, is lacking. The study findings indicate that pupils are offered knowledge far from that intended by laws and by state-of-the-art occupational health risk research.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.96-105
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• 1995

The better industry develops, the more spaces need but in the limited area. Most building become larger and more complicated if the more spaces need in the constant area. And this leads to do underground work in long period generally six(6) months for 6 basement stories due to the selection of TOP DOWN technique. Working environment in this underground area can be problems and should not be overlooked, because air quality in underground spaces become quickly worse. Recently, department name to control construction safety has been changed to ENVIRONMENT & SAFETY TEAM from SAFETY TEAM. This means that it is very important to control against environmental condition at site so much. Overall construction work as well as underground work should conform to the requirement of working environment, particularly against inhabitants around the construction area. Strut protection, one of earth protection method, in case to 40m long strut may become weaker due to thermal stress or its longitudinally compressive strain and the another one, earth anchor protection may not be applied to the site In case of encroaching on vertical underground borderline because of regulation to prohibit it. It is necessary that TOP DOWN technique should be introduced in order to solve the external and internal problem of the site such as difficulty level of the work, potential danger with excavating depth, and shortening workperiod. It is needed that improving way of working condition should be shown and simplified computer simulation program should be also provided for checking pollution level & ventilation, excluding of lighting problem here. Results measured with conformance to the Regulation for Working Environment Measurement, enforced by Ministry of Labor have been applied to the computer program developed here. Sample air taken at unit workplace which was considered as exposing condition of pollutant at breathing point and within a range of behavior of the workers, Identified exposing group in underground work, using Moded Flow Life Finally, three types of ventilation system, type I with blower & ventilator, type II natural supply with mechanical ventilation system, and type I mechanical ventilation with Drivent Fan Unit System are selected for this study.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2015

The study conducted statistical analysis of survey on the 239 workers participating in national Tower Crane installation/dismantlement in order to identify work environment and health hazard exposure of Tower Crane workers. Consequently for work related safety status of Tower Crane workers, the number of installation/dismantlement work was the highest at 15-20 times per month, and safety equipments were not arranged at work and they felt highly anxious when boarding on the Tower Crane. Furthermore, it is found that they feel anxious working in the influence of the weather, noise, vibration, wind, the sun ray, and structure characteristic. They have very low satisfaction in the insecureness of workplace and the work environment, and recognizes that their work affect highly on the health. 81.6% of workers have experienced accident at work, the cause of accidents were mainly due to poor work environment, and the health abnormality they have experienced were mostly fatigue and concentration reduction. For job stress, job demand and conflict in relationship were the highest sections. Total 66.5% of workers complained of musculoskeletal disorder related subjective symptom, and back pain patients were the highest of all groups.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2021

Background: Healthcare settings have been recognized among the most hazardous places to work. Based on the five categories of occupational hazards that were identified by the ILO and WHO, this study aimed to analyze policy framework relevant to occupational health protection of health workers (HWs) in public health service in China, then discussed how to share the experience of the National Health Service (NHS) England for improvement. Methods: Based on policy learning theories, policy analysis and qualitative interview were used in this study. Results: In the Chinese public health service, at least five laws related to the regulation of occupational health protection for HWs; however, enforcement of relevant laws was separated and multi-centered; the national monitoring system, which targeted to occupational hazards and health outcome for HWs in China, had yet to be developed; the top three priorities were workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, and musculoskeletal disorders; national strategies included Security Hospital, and Healthy China 2030. In NHS England, three laws were fundamental; several monitoring systems had been set up, including NHS Staff Survey, Commissioning for Quality and Innovation incentive scheme; mental health, musculoskeletal problem, and nutrition disorder and overweight were raised great concern; Health and Safety, and NHS Healthy Workforce Program were critical nationwide strategies. Conclusion: There were several similarities as well as differences between the Chinese public health system and NHS England, which laid foundation of learning by China. Recommendations of improving occupational health policies in China were provided, based on the lessons learned from the NHS England.

• Journal of the FoodService Safety
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2020

The virus isolated from patients with severe pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan City, Hubei province in China was termed SARS-CoV-2 and the World Health Organization (WHO) named the disease caused by this virus as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19 infection has spread rapidly and become a pandemic. In July 2020, there were 13.25 million infected patients and over 570,000 deaths worldwide, and 13,711 infected patients and 294 deaths were reported in South Korea. Since the primary mode of transmission of COVID-19 is through respiratory droplets, the importance of preventive measures, including social distancing, has become important in daily life. In response to the continuous spread of COVID-19, this study developed three guidelines for preventing COVID-19 for the food service industry including childcare centers, institutional foodservices and restaurants by the integration of the manual of controlling foodborne illness. These are included the COVID-19 prevention action methods for food deliverers, for food service administrator, for foodservice works and for customers. All guidelines were designed for easy understanding using illustrations and have been systematically explained subject wise. Thus, these COVID-19 prevention guidelines can be appropriately applied depending on the specific situation and workplace. In addition, they are worthy as educational materials that contribute to the food safety.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2021

Background: Correctional officers (COs) experience elevated rates of mental and physical ill-health as compared with other general industry and public safety occupations. The purpose of this study was to investigate demographic, mental health, job tenure, and work-family characteristics and their prospective association to burnout within and between jail officers during one year of new employment. Methods: In 2016, newly hired jail officers (N = 144) completed self-reported surveys across four time points in a one-year prospective study at a Midwestern United States urban jail. Linear mixed-effects and growth modeling examined how work-family conflict (W-FC) and depressive symptoms relate to perceptions of burnout over time. Results: Jail officer burnout increased and was related to rises in W-FC and depression symptoms. Within-person variance for W-FC (B_pooled = .52, p < .001) and depression symptoms (B_pooled = .06, p < .01) were significant predictors of burnout. Less time on the job remained a significant predictor of burnout across all analyses (B_pooled = .03, p < .001). Conclusions: Results from this study indicate that burnout increased during the first year of new employment; and increased W-FC, higher depression, and brief tenure were associated with burnout among jail COs. Future study of correctional workplace health is needed to identify tailored, multilevel interventions that address burnout and W-FC prevention and early intervention among COs.