• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.1131-1136
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• 2013

Parabens, the esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, have been widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetic products, drugs, and processed foods and beverages. However, some parabens have been shown to have weak estrogenic effects through in vivo and in vitro studies. Because such widespread use has raised concerns about the potential human health risks associated with exposure to parabens, we developed a simultaneous analytical method to quantify 4 parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl) in human urine, by using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. This method showed good specificity, linearity ($R^2$ > 0.999), accuracy (92.2-112.4%), precision (0.9-9.6%, CV), and recovery (95.7-102.0%). The LOQs for the 4 parabens were 1.0, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. This method could be used for quick and accurate analysis of a large number of human samples in epidemiological studies to assess the prevalence of human exposure to parabens.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.611-619
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• 2016

Objective:This study aims to analyze the relationships between personality factors measured by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales and the indices of safety and health in the shipbuilding industry. Background: Many researches reported that there were significant relationships between some MMPI subscales and traffic and industrial accidents. Method: This study analyzes 230 male workers in shipyard for their MMPI scores gathered during recruitment process and their safety and health indices from the performance record during their working period. ${\chi}^2-test$ and one-way ANOVA are used for finding the statistical significance for personality factors. The conventional grouping rule for MMPI scales and other grouping criteria considering the attitude of positive answer for the MMPI test during recruitment process are used for analysis. Results: The Hypomania (Ma) and Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) scales of the MMPI are the main factors related to the safety and health related indices for most grouping rules. Depression (D), Psychasthenia (Pt), Hypochondriasis (Hs), Schizophrenia (Sc), and Masculinity and Femininity (Mf) scales are also related to the safety and health indices. Conclusion and Application: The results can be used for understanding the psychological factors in human behaviors and safety and can help professional personnel take the necessary steps in improving safety on the job and also in providing the effective teaching of safe work methods.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.51-60
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• 2010

Objectives: The level of benzene exposure in the petrochemical industry during regular operation has been well established, but not in turnaround (TA), where high exposure may occur. In this study, the characteristics of occupational exposure to benzene during TA in the petrochemical companies were investigated in order to determine the best management strategies and improve the working environment. This was accomplished by evaluating the exposure level for the workers working in environments where benzene was being produced or used as an ingredient during the unit process. Methods: From 2003 to 2008, a total of 705 workers in three petrochemical companies in Korea were studied. Long- and short-term (< 1 hr) samples were taken during TAs. TA was classified into three stages: shut-down, maintenance and start-up. All works were classified into 12 occupation categories. Results: The long-term geometric mean (GM) benzene exposure level was 0.025 (5.82) ppm (0.005-42.120 ppm) and the short-term exposure concentration during TA was 0.020 (17.42) ppm (0.005-61.855 ppm). The proportions of TA samples exceeding the time-weighted average, occupational exposure level (TWA-OEL in Korea, 1 ppm) and the short-term exposure limit (STEL-OEL, 5 ppm) were 4.1% (20 samples of 488) and 6.0% (13 samples of 217), respectively. The results for the benzene exposure levels and the rates of exceeding the OEL were both statistically significant (p < 0.05). Among the 12 job categories of petrochemical workers, mechanical engineers, plumbers, welders, fieldman and scaffolding workers exhibited long-term samples that exceeded the OEL of benzene, and the rate of exceeding the OEL was statistically significant for the first two occupations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the periodic work environment must be assessed during non-routine works such as TA.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aims to suggest definitions in accordance with the purpose of the permissible limit system in order to suggest criteria for substances with permissible exposure limits and expanded candidate substances under the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Korea. Methods: The occupational safety and health related acts from six countries were researched, including from Korea. To understand the health hazards of substances with permissible exposure limits, health hazards were prioritized for 211 substances through working environment measurement on the basis of KOSHA's preceding research. Results: To suggest criteria for substances with permissible exposure limits and expanded candidate substances, definitions were suggested in accordance with the purpose of the permissible limit system. Based on the health hazard priorities for the working environment, selection criteria were identified. Conclusions: Three suggestions for substances with permissible exposure limits were proposed including substances where occurred serious health hazards such as carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity to workers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.365-371
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• 2018

This article addresses three key issues. First, the commonalities, differences, strengths, and limitations of existing occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation of low- and middle-income countries were determined. Second, required revisions were identified and discussed to strengthen the laws in accordance with the best international practice. Finally, proposals for additional OSH laws and interventions were suggested. A literature search of OSH laws of 10 selected low- and middle-income countries was carried out. The laws were subjected to uniform review criteria. Although the agricultural sector employs more than 70% of the population, most of the reviewed countries lack OSH legislation on the sector. Existing OSH laws are gender insensitive, fragmented among various government departments, insufficient, outdated, and nondeterrent to perpetrators and lack incentives for compliance. Conclusively, the legal frameworks require reformation and harmonization for the collective benefit to employees, employers, and regulatory authorities. New OSH legislation for the agricultural sector is required.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.13-20
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to know the status of prevention on health obstacle in industries with confined space. Total 190 respondents, 95 safety or health managers and 95 confined space workers from 95 industries with confined space are surveyed by hygienists from April 2003, to July 2003. The contents of survey include health-work program in confined space, instrument of oxygen sampling, equipment of ventilation, safety and health education, watching manager, head count, awakening of risk, air condition and emergency training. The results are as follows: 1. It is found 38% of respondents established health-work program in confined space. The percentage of respondents with instrument of oxygen sampling and equipment of ventilation, operation of safety and health education, posting of watching man and operation of head count are 42%, 35%, 75%, 46% and 56%, respectively. 2. The percentage of awakening of risk, confirm of air condition and operation of emergency training are 36%, 25% and 15%, respectively.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2008

In today's industrial society, one observes fierce competition aiming at profit generation among companies, and the utilization of complex machineries and cutting edge science and technology constitutes a constant threat to the life, body, and health of employees. In such a context, it is precisely the purpose of the Industrial Safety and Health Act that is in force to provide protection to the life and health of employees against hazardous and harmful environment and the role of enterprises becomes more and more important in the law. The Industrial Safety and Health Act places the responsibility for preventing industrial accidents on the shoulders of the business employer by providing safety and health information relating to current employees and creating an appropriate work environment. The employer must recognize the importance of prevention of industrial accident and must possess a business philosophy that places top priority on safety when it comes to company management. In light of such practical considerations, the present study approaches to find out the influence of safety and health management on business management from a statistical sample survey point of view. By doing this, the study hopes to show that a through safety management serves to protect the life and health of employees and raise profit for businesses. What is more, the study hopes to demonstrate that promoting a sound business culture can act as fertilizer that promotes the ushering in of a bright society.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.66-78
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of iso-butylalcohol on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats which were treated 0, 333, 1,000 and 3,000 ppm for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for 13 weeks by inhalation. Iso-butylalcohol did not induce any abnormal change in the viewpoint of clinical signs, feed consumption, ophthalmic test, urinalysis, hematology and blood biochemistry during and at the termination of the inhalation toxicity test. We did not find any abnormal findings in the gross and microscopic observations due to the inhalation of iso-butylalcohol. There was no alteration in relative organ weight owing to the inhalation of the iso-butylalcohol. In conclusion, concentration was 3,000 ppm in rats under the inhalation of 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for 13 week. Iso-butylalcohol did not show any change in the clinical signs, feed consumption, ophthalmic test, urinalysis, hematology and blood biochemistry, together with no alteration in the gross and pathological findings.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.85-93
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• 2015

Construction sites have various risks, and safety managements are enforced based on the law such as Industrial Safety and Health Act, etc. Safety management by the law saves lives and preserves health of workers by removing and understanding risks in advance. When the emergency situation has come, poor response causes loss of lives and physical damages. This study suggests basic strategy that can mitigate the industrial disaster in all construction sites. A survey was conducted to identify the current safety consciousness and to evaluate first aid ability of coworkers. Finally, four measures were suggested: (1) designating muster points; (2) hiring occupational health managers; (3) increasing the first aid ability of coworkers; and (4) carrying safety brochure. The proposed suggestions can be helpful in mitigating the construction disaster, and in responding the major accident efficiently within a short time.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.42-54
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• 2017

Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate farm work environments among farmers and examine the level of management of safety and health, and to subsequently produce study result to serve as foundational data for the development of guidelines on safety and health as part of the improvement of farming work environments among farmers raising Korean native cattle. Methods: The present study conducted a survey on farm work environments and the management of safety and health with 407 farmers engaged in Korean native cattle farming in selected regions in eight provinces. It also visited 10 farmers to verify the current status of farm work. Results: The survey results showed that 16.4% of the respondents experienced safety-related accidents due to farm work. The locations of the accidents were inside the cattle shed (71.4%) and facilities outside the cattle shed (19.6%). The types of accident showed collision with animals (35.7%), collision or contact with obstacles (27.1%), and musculoskeletal accidents due to heavy object handling (12.9%). The causes of the accidents were cattle (38.3%), cultivators and tractors (25.4%), facility tools in cattle sheds (9.0%), and slippery floors (6.0%). The damaged areas were hand (21.0%), spine (19.8%), lower limb (18.5%), and foot (17.3%). A self-diagnostic survey on respiratory diseases showed that 11.5% of the respondents experienced respiratory-related symptoms. The survey on safety and health during farm work showed that wearing personal protective equipment and response to emergency situations, which were needed to prevent safety-related accidents, were relatively low compared to the level of recognition of the need and awareness of safety issues. Furthermore, the field survey identified the current status of safety and health issues such as prevention management of collision accidents with cattle, how to handle heavy objects, and wearing of personal protective equipment. Conclusions: The present study identified safety-related accidents and problems in the management of safety and health among Korean native cattle farmers. In order to address the problem, it is necessary to not only provide guidelines on safety and health management which are appropriate to the characteristics of Korean native cattle farming work, but also to study the development of personal protective equipment.