• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.112-116
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• 2022

Background/Aims: The Gachon Regional Occupational Cohort Study (GROCS) is a large-scale longitudinal study of occupational safety and health data (covering Work Environment Monitoring, Workers' Health Surveillance, and Occupational Health Service) conducted by the Gachon University Gil Medical Center (GUGMC) in Incheon, Republic of Korea. We conducted GROCS to identify the health effects of workers' occupational risks, behavior, socioeconomic status, and life style. Methods: The GROCS includes data from Work Environment Monitoring, Workers' Health Surveillance, and Occupational Health Service. The baseline year for all data collection was 2018. Work Environment Monitoring was conducted in 240 companies located in Incheon. General Health Examination and Special Health Examination were performed on 32,725 and 9,504 workers, respectively. Occupational Health Services were provided to 16,883 workers in 171 companies. These data have been collected and operated at an external data management institution and were provided as a retrospective cohort after removing personal identification information. Results: In 2018, the total number of companies was 2,854, among which which 488 special Health Examination, 171 Work Environment Monitoring, and 240 Occupational Health Service. The proportion of companies undergoing Special Health Examination was 17.1%, the proportion of companies undergoing Work Environment Monitoring was 8.4%, and the proportion of Companies undergoing Occupational Health Service was 6.0%. Conclusion: GROCS expects researchers to utilize its useful and reliable resource for occupational health and surveillance with for academic or political purposes to lead to improved workers' health and working environment.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.3
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• pp.5-20
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• 1993

This study was aimed to investigate the actual condition of the performance of the occupational health nursing services, and to analyze a main cause which affects on the execution of its duties for occupational health nurses in occupational group health service. It had been surveyed by responsed data from the 105 respondents out of 180 persons. The results were as follows : 1. In performance of occupational health nursing services by the number of assigned plant, participation rate of health examination tended to significantly increase with decreasing the number of assigned and it was observed that the visiting rate of every month was also significantly higher on touring inspection of work plant, recommendation of facility improvement for work environment, understanding the modification of manufacturing process, and inspection of welfare and sanitation facilities. 2. While they executed their nursing services according to duration of service, the more, their duration of service was, the higher, participation rate of health examination, health check in returning to work for injured workers, talk with other health managers on promoting welfare, service evaluation for a year plan, record of health statistic, and experience of first aid service were. And it was found out that the visiting rate of every month was also significantly higher on touring inspection of work plant. 3. In regard to occupational health nursing services by age, the participation rate of health examination and the experience of first aid service were significantly higher as the age increased. And also the visiting rate of every month was significantly higher on touring inspection of work plant, compared with young ones. 4. In performance of occupational health nursing services by the time required visiting plant, The shorter, the time required visiting plant was, the higher, the visiting rate of every month was, on time of health consultation for diseased workers, and inspection of welfare and sanitation facilities. 5. The subjects of health education were mostly liver disease and occupational hearing loss and video tape was used mostly in health education, monthly health education was the highest in 1-3 times(74.5%) and its duration was the highest in about 60 minutes(33.3%). 6. Vaccination of hepatitis among the specific health services was the highest accounting for 64.7%.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.368-374
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• 2023

Background: Recognizing that access to safe and healthy working conditions is a human right, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls for specific occupational safety and health (OSH) programs for health workers (HWs). The WHO health systems' building blocks, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlight the importance of information as part of effective systems. This study examined how OSH stakeholders access, use, and value an occupational health information system (OHIS). Methods: A cross-sectional survey of OSH stakeholders was conducted as part of a larger quasi experimental study in four teaching hospitals. The study hospitals and participants were purposefully selected and data collected using a modified questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions. Quantitative analysis was conducted and themes identified for qualitative analysis. Ethics approval was provided by the University of Pretoria and University of British Columbia. Results: There were 71 participants comprised of hospital managers, health and safety representatives, trade unions representatives and OSH professionals. At least 42% reported poor accessibility and poor timeliness of OHIS for decision-making. Only 50% had access to computers and 27% reported poor computer skills. When existing, OHIS was poorly organized and needed upgrades, with 85% reporting the need for significant reforms. Only 45% reported use of OHIS for decision-making in their OSH role. Conclusion: Given the gap in access and utilization of information needed to protect worker's rights to a safe and healthy workplace, more attention is warranted to OHIS development and use as well as education and training in South Africa and beyond.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 1998

This study was conducted to find qualitative approaches to occupational reference to group health practices. In-depth interviewing was done on 8 subjects health monitor members, owners and occupational nurses, respectively). The major findings were as follows; 1. Visiting health management Useful services were 'health counseling', 'medical examination', 'providing informations about managing diseases', 'agency business in relation to Labour Ministry' and 'giving a recognition about occupational health service to owners'. Insufficiencies were 'lack of treatment service after medical examination' and 'lack of follow up services constantly'. 2. Occupational nursing service Useful services were 'providing health information' and 'counselling about health'. Major contents of occupational nursing services were 'management of occupational and adult diseases' and 'explanation of the results after medical examination'. Insufficiencies were 'deficiency of the place where group health education could be performed', 'lack of additional or closer examinations needed in counselling' and 'discontinuous selection of additional or more exact examinations'. 3. Health monitor members Health monitor members in industries were classified into two. Some were selected by owners and the others were selected simply by considering their administrative abilities such as proficient management of documents. Their major tasks were to connect workers with occupational health management agencies. This study suggests that programs should be developed which enable health monitor members to cooperate with occupational nurses.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to investigate the health status and to identify the influencing factors on health status by gender among service workers. Method: Data were collected from the self-reported survey of 781 service workers in sales, food & lodging industry. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS Win 10.0. Result: The influencing factors of male workers' health status were job satisfaction, standing hour during work time, physical work environment, job demand and family support. The influencing factors of female workers' health status were job satisfaction, emotional labor, physical work environment, regular exercise, standing hour during work time, social support and age. Conclusion: Gender specific occupational Health program for service workers should be developed in consideration of these influencing factors.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.156-167
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• 1997

In Korea, based on the Revised Law of Occupational Safety and Health a new entity of institution was set up in 1990 to provide occupational health services to SSE in which three sorts of personnel as a team have to be involved. These institutions, in charge of scores to hundreds of workplace area-wide, have been providing occupational health services without payment from employers or employees, and government reimburses through the Occupational Injury Prevention Insurance since 1993. As a service provider, a team is composed of doctors, nurses and industrial hygienists. Undergraduate and postgraduate educations for the SSE occupational health are not specified and the question on the performance of the personnel has been raised. This study was designed to analyze the facilitating factors of and barriers to the performance and its improvement of these personnel. In 1997, the survey was conducted with all 58 institutions. Structured questionnaires were mailed to 200 personnel who were providing the occupational health service for SSE. The response rate was 51.7% for doctors, 58.6% for nurses, and 60.3% for industrial hygienist, respectively. Results are as follows : 1) There is a guideline for occupational service mandated by the government. Under the guideline, the minimum frequency of visiting workplace is assured with six times of doctors, 17 times for nurse and industrial hygienist in a year. There are one doctor for every 200 factories, one nurse and one hygienist for every 100 factories. 2) All respondents have basic qualification for occupational health service. About 16.7%. of doctors are certified in industrial medicine or preventive medicine, and 64.7% of industrial hygienists had first grade certification. Totally 66.7% of personnel have been involved in occupational health for more than one year. 3) As a support system for the performance improvement, 66.3% respond that they have been provided with educational materials, advice related to industrial environment and guidance of MSDS from Korea Industrial Safety Corporation. Most respondents indicate the lack of concern of employers and employees as a main barrier to the improvement of the service. Also they are in the need of the training opportunity more focused on SSE. The Governments policy for SSE is a principal facilitating factor. Training program focused on SSE situation, manpower, technical support, etc. are areas to be improved to have a better occupational health service for SSE in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.86-95
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• 1993

To investigate perception and attitude toward Group Health Management and Service System for Small and Medium Industries, a survey using self-administered questionnaire was conducted to a part of industries in Inchon, at October 1992. Major dependent variables were perception, attitude, and practice related with Group Health Management and Service System; these variables were measured by 3-point Likert like scale consisted of 7, 5, and 5 items, respectively. Data were collected in 149 industries,72.7% out of 205. Perception nab slightly high, 1.25; attitude was some positive, 1.46; and practice was some passive,0.94. Major determinants of perception, attitude, and practice were sex and age of industry's health manager; perception influenced upon attitude, and perception and attitude had positive effect upon practice. To activate Group Health Management and Service System, it is necessary to develop education and promotion programs for industry's health managers of small and medium industries.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.75-75
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• 2015

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2016

The labor force has moved to services industry. An industrial accidents of service industry is three people on 10 persons in 2013. This research conducted questionnaire surveys of 1:1 directly person interviews with a structured questionnaire intended for 150 service workplaces, in order to improve occupational safety and health in very small service workplace with less than 5 employee. The survey contents is employment type, safety and health management system, safety and health training, activities. In the results, working with non-regular(informal) workers is two people on 10 persons 27.1% and female workers is about five people on 10 persons with 58.1%, and that 67.9% of non-regular workers who are mainly engaged in the production line appeared. And the work-related injury and accident experience was 3.3% and the occupational injury rate was 1.02%, especially occupational injury rate of female workers was 0.88%. Workplace risk assessment carried out in response that it was very low as 10.0% of the total. Also the safety & health education and activities was very low. Thus the safety consciousness and education is urgently required in order to prevent the industrial accidents.