• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.212-223
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• 2007

18 Local exhaust ventilation systems in 10 melting companies located in an industrial complex were tested to know the status of maintenance. Test items were fan flowrates, fan static pressures, rotational speeds and differential pressures of bag filters. Only 22% of the tested fans has more than 80% flowrate efficiency. 44% of the fans has lower than 60% efficiency. The performance of the fans are not in a good status. For the fans with lower than 60% efficiency, the analysis shows that the lower flowrate might be caused by the degradation of fan performance. On the other hand, for the fan s with higher than 60% efficiency, the main cause of flowrate reduction might be too much pressure losses due to clogging of filter bags. The degradation of fans usually lead the reduction of hood capture efficiency, resulting in the increase of contaminant concentrations in workplace. To keep fans in good status, self inspections should be periodically conducted. This inspection should include the measurements of flowrate and pressures. The most important thing to be performed is the initial test of local exhaust ventilation system because the initial test data should be used to know the level of system degradation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2016

Excessive exposure to chemicals in the workplace can cause poisoning and various diseases. Thus, for the protection of labor, it is necessary to examine the exposure of people to chemicals and risks from these materials. The purpose of this study is to evaluate semi-quantitative health risks of exposure to harmful chemical agents in the context of carcinogenesis in a latex glove manufacturing industry. In this cross-sectional study, semi-quantitative risk assessment methods provided by the Department of Occupational Health of Singapore were used and index of LD50, carcinogenesis (ACGIH and IARC) and corrosion capacity were applied to calculate the hazard rate and the biggest index was placed as the basis of risk. To calculate the exposure rate, two exposure index methods and the actual level of exposure were employed. After identifying risks, group H (high) and E (very high) classified as high-risk were considered. Of the total of 271 only 39 (15%) were at a high risk level and 3% were very high (E). These risks only was relevant to 7 materials with only sulfuric acid placed in group E and 6 other materials in group H, including nitric acid (48.3%), chromic acid (6.9%), hydrochloric acid (10.3%), ammonia (3.4%), potassium hydroxide (20.7%) and chlorine (10.3%). Overall, the average hazard rate level was estimated to be 4 and average exposure rate to be 3.5. Health risks identified in this study showed that the manufacturing industry for latex gloves has a high level of risk because of carcinogens, acids and strong alkalisand dangerous drugs. Also according to the average level of risk impact, it is better that the safety design strategy for latex gloves production industry be placed on the agenda.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3301-3307
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death in Korea. To prevent cancer, it is essential to facilitate and promote appropriate cancer screening behavior in the adult population. The aim of this study was to examine health beliefs related to cancer screening intentions using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Materials and Methods: The research participants comprised 275 male health and safety managers at commercial companies in Korea. The self-administered survey explored demographic characteristics, cancer-related factors, beliefs about cancer/cancer screening (BCCS) (vulnerability to cancer, severity of cancer, benefits of screening, and barriers to screening), and cancer screening intention. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with an intention to be screened for cancer. Results: Perceived health status and need for cancer prevention education were major factors associated with BCCS. Poorer health status was associated with greater perceived vulnerability, a perception of fewer benefits, and more barriers (p<0.05). A perceived greater need for cancer prevention education was associated with a higher perceived severity of cancer and more perceived barriers to screening (p<0.05). Marital status, cancer screening experience, and perceived vulnerability to cancer were significant influences on the cancer screening intention (p<0.05). Participants who had undergone cancer screening in the past 2 years were more likely to intend to be screened for cancer than were those who had not been screened; this was true across all degrees of intention and all types of cancer (p<0.01). Hesitant people considered themselves less vulnerable to gastric, lung, and liver cancer than did the poeple who intended to undergo cancer screening (p<0.05). Conclusions: Based on our findings, we recommend that workplace cancer prevention programs attempt to increase awareness about vulnerability to cancer among workers who hesitate to undergo cancer screening.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2007

This study was performed to find out hazardous factors in the loaded works of muscular skeletal disorders(MSDs) for four company attached to dining workers from October 2005 to June 2006. The results are summarized as follows. 1. 42.5% of workers in study group were 40-50 years old, and females were higher than males, and the average of body weight was 70kg, 57kg in males and females, respectively. Working time per day was mostly 7-9hours, and the rate of worker who had never education and training was 46%. 2. The upper part and right part of body were higher than lower part and left part in symptoms of muscular skeletal disorders. Body parts which complained of symptoms were the order of right shoulder(55%), right arm(54%), right hand,(40%) waist(35%), leg(25%), and neck(24%). 3. The results of evaluation in the loaded works of muscular skeletal disorders to cooking, dish supply, preparing side dish, and washing the dishes and cleaning the floor of cooking room using RULA and OWAS checklists was action level 4(potential hazards, needs of change workplace), and the result of evaluation using back compressive force needed control measures as 779.27 lbs~1,274.04 lbs. In a view point of the result of this study, large dining rooms should be designed by ergonomic technology for the work surface height, width, and depth. The height of carrying car should be lower to 70cm, and repetitiveness and handling weight should be reduced by mechanical means, and education and training also should be performed for all of workers positively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.230-239
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the kinds and exposure levels of health hazards in the metalworking process in relation to acute poisoning accidents caused by methanol in 2016. Methods: The number of industries, workplaces, exposed workers, regional distribution, and exposure level of health hazards in metalworking process were investigated based on employee exposure assessment database provided by KOSHA (the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), which was collected from workplace hazard evaluation programs in Korea. Exposure metrics for methanol were assessed by RCR (risk characterization ratio). Results: The numbers of processes, workplaces, and exposed workers of metalworking, which include CNC (computer numerical control) were 25, 14,405, and 169,102 respectively. The numbers of samples of chemical hazards including methanol were 91,325, and it was found that workers in metalworking were exposed to 249 kinds of chemical hazards. There were 16 kinds of special controlled substances including beryllium. It is estimated that the number of workplaces involving CNC process was 2,537, and the number of exposed workers was 27,976. In CNC process, the total number of workplaces handling methanol was 36, and 298 workers were estimated to be exposed. There was no exceeded that surpassed the OEL and 49% of samples were below the limit of detection. Methanol exposure concentrations in Gyeonggido Province were statistically significantly higher than in other areas (p <0.0001). Conclusions: In the metalworking process including CNC, there is exposure to a wide variety of health hazards. There was no sample exceeding the OEL for methanol. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the limits of the employee exposure assessment system and urgently improve measures to prevent the occurrence of events like methanol poisoning.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.488-499
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the characterization of organics solvent exposure among painting workers in the shipbuilding painting process, especially for their daily variations(within worker variance). Methods: Charcoal passive dosimeters were worn throughout each work shift for 20 days for five painting workers from October 19 to November 26, 2015. A total of 100 samples were collected, analyzed and compared with statutory workplace environmental measurements. Results: The geometric mean(GM) and geometric standard deviation(GSD) of mixed organic solvent(six substances) exposure index(EI) for the 100 samples were 0.42 and 4.42 respectively. The median and range of GSD for within worker EI representing five workers' daily EI variation is 3.72 and 2.63 ~ 5.20, respectively, which is classified as a very large variation(GSD>3). We were able to divide the painting process into two similar exposure groups(SEGs), Touch-up and Spray. Spray painting workers were much more exposed to organic solvent than Touch-up painting workers(GM=0.71 vs. 0.19), but less variably (GSD=3.64 vs. 4.10). xylene is the substance to which the workers were most exposed(GM=16.19 ppm, GSD=4.36), and the exposure characteristics of six substances including xylene is similar to those of EI. Conclusions: The daily variation of organic solvent exposure in the shipbuilding painting process is so high that statutory Assessment of Reliability of Work Environment Monitoring needs to be conducted with statistically sufficient number of samples and evidence.

• Archives of design research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.251-260
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• 2003

The fact that office environment is a principal factor affecting work efficiency is widely accepted. Under such a circumstance, developing relocatable office wall systems is highly required. Psychological, physiological, and economical factors, along with physical factors, should be considered to develope a office wall system. More specifically, competitive price, relocatable efficiency, structural stability, fast installation, health and safety, and aesthetic satisfaction are typical determinants. The evaluation results of newly developed wall system are as below: 1) Panel structural system added with the merits of frame structural system can be studied to accomplish minimal disruption to workplace and better finish details. 2) To cover up the existing interior defects such as uneven floor and ceiling, flexible solutions must be studied especially when panel structural system is accepted. 3) More consideration must be given to finish materials, section details, sound blocking and absorbtion to enhance the satisfaction level.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.15-25
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• 2018

The accident risk at the construction workplace associated with agricultural engineering is comparatively higher than those of other fields due mainly to its complex work types and processes. Agricultural engineering deals with a variety of agricultural infrastructures from irrigation and drainage facilities to giant-scale coastal reclamation land infrastructures. The characteristics that most agricultural projects have conducted on a small-scale even worsen the situation drawing low attentions to risk management. Therefore, systematical risk assessment that focuses on details of agricultural construction work process is required in order to enhance safety management capacity and to prevent repetitive accidents ultimately. This study aims to categorize construction work types and processes of agricultural construction works, and to quantitatively assess the accident risk of them based on accident analysis. Regarding classification of construction works, actual 827 accident cases were thoroughly reviewed and coded by their construction site, facility and work type, project scale and so on. Most accidents (71.8 % of total cases) occurred in small-scale construction workplaces with less than 5 billion Korean won project budget. And those accidents related to agricultural infrastructure project (37.4%) and agricultural water development project (22.4%). In terms of work types, accidents frequently took place in form-work followed by pipe installation work, steel bar work and concrete work. The potential risks were compared with actual outbreak of accidents based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results show that the potential conditions of accident expected to be took place is somewhat different from the actual conditions where accidents actually happened. This implicates that risk management manuals or education needs to be adjusted by reflecting unexpected circumstances. Overall, this study is meaningful in that the results could be foundations as to strengthen risk management capacity for agricultural engineering projects.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2019

Accidents of worker that occur in isolated places are difficult to rescue, unlike general construction accidents. There is a problem of communication limitation when an accident occurs in an isolated place. Also, it is difficult to search the accident place due to the absence of CCTV. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a device that combines IoT technology with a safety helmet, which must be worn in the workplace. The proposed device additionally designs and implements a real-time PPG(Photoplethysmography) sensor, body temperature sensor, accelerometer sensor and a camera sensor on the helmet. The proposed helmet system allows the user and the control center to monitor the state of the worker. In addition, when an abnormal biological signal or fall occurs to the worker, the image is transmitted to the control center. By using the proposed system, it is possible to check the status of the worker in real time, so that it has an advantage that it can cope with the accident quickly.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.760-770
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• 2019

Purpose: The role of registered nurses is expanding in scope as the healthcare paradigm shifts from acute, hospital-based care to community and population-based care. Given this paradigm shift, this study explores the legal aspects of the role of a registered nurse. Methods: We used document analysis for extracting laws and legal orders related to nursing from the entirety of Korean law. Using textualism approach, we examined the contents utilizing a framework that was developed based on the role classification of community nurses by Clark in this study. Results: A total of 119 items related to nursing were derived from 64 laws. Of these, 71.4 % can be performed by people in multiple types of occupations including nurses. As a result of analyzing required qualifications, 45.4% of 119 items required additional qualifications besides registered nurse license. Analysis of workplace and activity type demonstrated that 26.1% of the 119 items were related to medical institutions, with nurses performing mostly "Client-oriented role." More than half (68.9%) were non-medical institutions, with nurses performing mostly "Delivery-oriented role." Some, however, did not stipulate the nurse's roles clearly. Conclusion: Therefore, to match the enhanced scope and responsibilities of registered nurses and to appropriately recognize, guide, and hold these nurses accountable, laws and policy must reflect these changes. In doing so, these updated laws and policies will ultimately serve as a basis for improving the quality and safety of nursing services.