• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.316-328
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was designed to provide the information regarding chemicals classification and health hazard by evaluating the toxicological effect through repeated inhalation exposure of methyl acrylate(MA) in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rat for 13 weeks. Methods: According to the notification with Ministry of Labor(No. 2009-68) and OECD Test Guideline 413, the rats were exposed to MA at concentration of 0, 56, 168, 280 ppm via whole body inhalation for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 13 weeks. All animals were observed for mortality, morbidity and the change of body weight and food consumption were determined during the exposure period. Necropsy finding, organ weight, hematology, clinical biochemistry and histopathological examination following exposure were also performed. Results: There were no death and abnormal clinical signs relate to exposure MA. However, At 160 ppm and 280 ppm exposure groups, body weight and food consumption showed statistically significant decrease and histopathological changes in lung, trachea, nasal cavity, larynx were observed. Conclusions: MA was mainly affected respiratory tract. It is consequently provided to be classified as category 2(0.2 mg/L/6h < category 2 ${\leq}$ 1.0 mg/L/6h) for specific target organ toxicity following repeated exposure according to Standard for Classification and Labeling of Chemical Substance and Material Safety Data Sheet. The NOAEL(no observable adverse effect level) of MA was also determined to be lower than 56 ppm.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the Second Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), focusing on its validity and reliability. Methods: The external validity was evaluated by the assessment of sampling procedures and the response rate, in order to investigate the representativeness of the sample. The content validity was evaluated by the assessment of the development of the questionnaire, and the consistency of questions for the selected construct. The test-retest method was used to evaluate the reliability by means of a phone call survey of 30% of the respondents, who were randomly selected. The respondents' satisfaction regarding the survey procedures and interview time were analyzed to evaluate the quality of survey data. Results: The external validity was assured by an acceptable sampling procedure, rigid multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling. The content validity was also guaranteed by a reasonable procedure for the development of the questionnaire with a pretest. The internal consistency of the questions for work autonomy was maintained, with 0.738 of Cronbach's alpha. The response rate of 36% was lower than that of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), with a contact rate of 66%, compared to 76% for the EWCS. The matching rates of the five retested questions were more than 98% reliable. Conclusion: The quality of the second KWCS was assured by the high external and content validity and reliability. The rigid sampling procedure and development of the questionnaire contributed to quality assurance. The high level of reliability may be guaranteed by the sophisticated field survey procedures and the development of a technical manual for interviewers. The technical strategies for a high response rate should be developed for future surveys.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2015

Background: Construction activity has made considerable breakthroughs in the past two decades on the back of increases in development activities, government policies, and public demand. At the same time, occupational health and safety issues have become a major concern to construction organizations. The unsatisfactory safety performance of the construction industry has always been highlighted since the safety management system is neglected area and not implemented systematically in Indian construction organizations. Due to a lack of enforcement of the applicable legislation, most of the construction organizations are forced to opt for the implementation of Occupational Health Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001 to improve safety performance. Methods: In order to better understand factors influencing the implementation of OHSAS 18001, an interpretive structural modeling approach has been applied and the factors have been classified using matrice d'impacts croises-multiplication $appliqu{\acute{e}}$ a un classement (MICMAC) analysis. The study proposes the underlying theoretical framework to identify factors and to help management of Indian construction organizations to understand the interaction among factors influencing in implementation of OHSAS 18001. Results: Safety culture, continual improvement, morale of employees, and safety training have been identified as dependent variables. Safety performance, sustainable construction, and conducive working environment have been identified as linkage variables. Management commitment and safety policy have been identified as the driver variables. Conclusion: Management commitment has the maximum driving power and the most influential factor is safety policy, which states clearly the commitment of top management towards occupational safety and health.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.287-298
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• 2013

Objectives: Workers who use chemicals are exposed to safety accidents and occupational diseases. Employers are required to provide workers with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) in order to prevent accidents and diseases related to chemicals. Thus, it is very important to offer reliable MSDSs. In this paper, we assessed the reliability of MSDSs for chemicals including formaldehyde. Methods: To evaluate MSDS reliability, we collected 14 MSDSs and bulk samples from the chemical industry. MSDS reliability was evaluated by the completeness of details. In order to evaluate the adequacy of the formaldehyde contents in a mixture, bulk samples were collected and analyzed by HPLC. The result of Globally Harmonized System (GHS) classification was confirmed by identifying physical chemical properties, toxicology information and ecological information. Results: The result of the evaluation of 14 MSDSs showed 76.29% average reliability on each item, especially 53.9% average appropriate rate on hazard risk classification. No chemicals failed to match between the content (%) in MSDSs and the result of analysis. Conclusions: To elevate MSDSs reliability, the certified education of MSDS drafters and reorganization of the MSDS circulation system is required.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2010

This paper provided a brief summary of the current strategic goals, activities, and impacts of the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) occupational injury research program. Three primary drivers (injury database, stakeholder input, and staff capacity) were used to define NIOSH research focuses to maximize relevance and impact of the NIOSH injury-prevention-research program. Injury data, strategic goals, program activities, and research impacts were presented with a focus on prevention of four leading causes of workplace injury and death in the US: motor vehicle incidents, falls, workplace violence, and machine and industrial vehicle incidents. This paper showcased selected priority goals, activities, and impacts of the NIOSH injury prevention program. The NIOSH contribution to the overall decrease in fatalities and injuries is reinforced by decreases in specific goal areas. There were also many intermediate outcomes that are on a direct path to preventing injuries, such as new safety regulations and standards, safer technology and products, and improved worker safety training. The outcomes serve as an excellent foundation to stimulate further research and worldwide partnership to address global workplace injury problems.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.289-299
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• 2004

Safety in the laboratory has been a growing interest due to recent recurrences of the fatal accidents such as physical or chemical explosions. It is not easy to determine, to what extents the industrial safety and health law should apply the laboratory. Most laboratory workers are not sufficiently trained and recognized for the generic features of safety and health. The actual conditions of safety and health in the laboratory are not appropriate for laboratory workers. Safety and health in the laboratory is unfortunately in the dead ground. Therefore, it is most imperative to secure safety in the laboratory. This study proposes a method to improve safety in the laboratory.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.110-115
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• 2014

The construction accidents which had been on the downward trend for the past decades have increased for five consecutive years since 2008. In order to let the increasing trend of construction accident slow growing or switching to decline, various efforts are required of all members in construction industry such as government, employers, construction engineers, safety managers, construction workers, etc. Although the criteria for appointment of safety managers in construction site introduced in 1982 have contributed to prevent construction accident as a forefront for the past 30 years, it has not been a remarkable improvement in the safety manager's status and roles which have been required to change according to the changes of circumstances and environments. In associated with a newly introduced the criteria for appointment of health managers in construction site in the year 2015, the problems such as role, status, number of safety and health managers are needed to be considered comprehensively and improved widely. In this study, we propose several improvement plans which will improve the current criteria for appointment of safety and health managers in construction sites.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2024

Background: This research suggested a method for evaluating health and safety performance as a combination of reactive and active monitoring. Methods: A number of Freedom of Information requests (FoI) were sent to the Health and safety Executive (HSE) and 100 UK universities. Data on the number of reportable incidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences were compiled for UK universities and combined with the Impact Ranking for good health and well-being. A semi-structured survey was used to identify best H&S practices. Subsequently, the effect of workers' involvement in H&S management on RIDDOR and near-miss reports, was investigated using statistical analysis. Results: A ranking of UK universities that perform highly in Health and Safety (H&S) was assembled and selected universities were contacted to identify best practices. Best practices were divided into three categories: team management, roles and responsibilities, and H&S performance monitoring. One of the findings demonstrated a reverse dependence between provision of a refresher training in risk assessments and a number of reported RIDDOR incidents. Conclusion: Health and Safety professionals in the universities may find it useful to reflect on these findings and the identified best practices in order to improve the H&S performance in their own organisations.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.9-18
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• 2009

The safety & health can not be accomplished by only one side's effort of labor and management. To establish high level of occupational safety & health system, we have to recognize the extent of participance and need to study about how to keep the labor-management cooperation in good condition. The purpose of this paper is to make better suggestions such as how to improve the labor-management cooperation and how to establish the efficient occupational safety & health law through studying the labor-management cooperation system in the occupational safety & health.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.156-156
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• 2015