• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.128-138
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• 2011

Objectives: It has been pointed out that there are problems in handling and managing chemicals due to trade secrets of Material Safety Data Sheet(MSDS). To date, some company intentionally leave out of several parts and use an inaccurate expression in MSDS. In particular, with the result of the inspection of the government and labour community, it is required that the 2nd section in MSDS included the composition and information on ingredients has to be provided with comprehensive expression to secure more reliability. Methods: Therefore, this study is aimed: 1) to recognize the current status of trade secrets of MSDS in workplaces with both domestic manufacturers of chemical products and multinational corporations; 2) to make contributions to prevention of the industrial accidents by providing the accurate information of MSDS; 3) to improve the risk communication system related with chemicals; 4) to impress workers on the importance of right of known for MSDS. With the result we analyzed the status of trade secrets in MSDS in 73 companies, such as petrochemistry production, paint production, metal processing oil production, detergent production, and international company related with chemicals, we have found that 38,150 (45.5%) have the trade secrets parts in the total number of 83,832 in MSDS. Also, based on the 288 MSDS gathered by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) from 2005 to 2009, 41.7% of the MSDS are classified into the trade secrets. Conclusions: Therefore, to procure an assurance system of MSDS, we suggest that a MSDS picking up and checking system be legislated in the Occupational Safety and Health Act to protect workers from the unidentified chemical hazards due to the secret trade of MSDS.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1033-1045
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• 2016

Objectives: This research was conducted to recognize dental health care employees' awareness of patient safety culture and to examine the association between awareness of patient safety culture and patient safety activities. Methods: The subject of this research includes the dental health care employees from 11 different dental hospitals in the nation, dental offices in the 6 different general hospitals in Seoul, and 4 different private dental offices in 2014. A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 485 dental health care employees from March 17 to April 3, 2014. Multiple regression models were used in the analysis. Results: First, the dental health employees' awareness of patient safety culture was 3.25 on average. The extent of patient safety activities was 2.75. The behavior of the supervisor/manager and the adequate explanation showed positive correlation with r=0.213 (p<0.001). The process of communication and the preventative inspection of the medical equipment showed negative correlation with r=-0.258 (p<0.001), and especially the awareness of patient safety culture and the infection control exercise showed the most significant correlation (r=0.293, p<0.001). Second, hospital environment factor of patient safety perceptions positively were related to most of patient safety management activities after controlling several covariates. Conclusions: The result of this research showed that most of the patient safety culture perceptions positively were correlated with patient safety activities. We also found that proper hospital environment, simple communication process, and positive perceptions for patient safety level were more likely to perform patient safety management activities after controlling several covariates. Improving the patient safety perceptions of dental hospital workers is an important consideration.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2010

Nanotechnology is the fastest growing area in scientific research and it has important applications in a wide variety of fields. Nevertheless, consumers encountered this new technology without any identification of risks and benefits. Also until now, there are no specific safety evaluation methods for nanotechnology. For this reason, we studied risk communication strategy for nanotechnology to prepare its application in commercialized products on public. A survey was conducted to identify the differences in perception between public (N=110) and expert (N=37) toward applied nanotechnology in food, drugs and cosmetic products. The survey results were used to draw up a risk cognitive map which was introduced by Paul Slovic, and the perception level of public and expert on nanotechnology was evaluated. As a result of the survey, public recognized nanotechnology as "unknown but low dread" risk factor, but expert recognized it as "unknown and high dread" risk factor. These results indicate that there are perception differences between two groups. Several risk communication strategies are reported including care, consensus and risk communication. In the case of nanotechnology, it contains both risks and benefits. Considering the nature of nanotechnology, the "consensus communication" which informs consumers about risks and benefits of issues is the most appropriate strategy.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 2022

Background: Traffic injuries have become a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Several studies have examined the role of personality and attitude toward traffic safety in predicting driving behaviors in diverse types of drivers. Few studies have investigated risky behavior among public passenger van drivers. This study aims to identify the predictors of self-reported risky driving behavior among public van drivers. Method: A total of 410 public van drivers were interviewed at terminal stations in Bangkok. Hierarchical regression models were applied to determine the effects of demographics, personality traits, and attitude on self-reported risky driving behaviors. Results: The results indicated that drivers with a high education level, more working days, and high scores for normlessness and anger were more likely to report risky driving behaviors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The personality traits and attitude toward speeding account for aberrant self-reported risky driving behavior in passenger van drivers. This could be another empirical basis for evidence-based road safety interventions in the context of public transport.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.91-109
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• 2006

This study was conducted to find out factors affecting patient safety management activities at nursing devisions of two university hospitals. The indicators of patient safety activities used in the study were selected from Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture which was developed by The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in the United States. Data were collected from 372 nurses working at inpatient wards at two university hospitals located in Seoul and Won-Ju cities through the self-administered questionnaires, and analyzed using frequency analysis, t-test, correlation, and regression analysis. The result of this study were as follows. First, The mean of patient safety management activities was 3.41 which was a little bit higher than the average level. The mean of communication within the ward was the highest, whereas that of patient safety management culture was the lowest. Second, there were significant differences in the perception of nurses on patient safety management activities in terms of the educational background, length of employment, and work hours per week. Third, three variables of communication within the unit, attitude of top management, and attitude of nurses have significant positive effects on patient safety management activities. Fourth, 37.4% of the variation in the patient safety management activities was explained by the study variables. In conclusion, hospital administration and nursing managers should make an effort to learn the knowledge of patient safety program, show their deep interest on the patient safety to the employees and motivate them to communicate effectively each other within the work unit to develop a good patient safety culture and system.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.427-433
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of workers' perceived workload, accident experiences, supervisors' safety leadership, and an organization's safety climate on the cognitive and emotional risk perception. Methods: Six hundred and twenty employees in a variety of manufacturing organizations were asked to complete to a questionnaire. Among them, a total of 376 employees provided valid data for analysis. To test the hypothesis, correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS program, version 23. Results: The results indicated that workload and accident experiences have a positive influence and safety leadership and safety climate have a negative influence on the cognitive and emotional risk perception. Workload, safety leadership, and the safety climate influence perceived risk more than accident experience, especially for the emotional risk perception. Conclusion: These results indicated that multilevel factors (organization, group, and individual) play a critical role in predicting individual risk perceptions. Based on these results, therefore, to reduce risk perception related with unsafe behaviors and accidents, organizations need to conduct a variety of safety programs that enhance their safety climate beyond simple safety-related education and training. Simultaneously, it needs to seek ways to promote supervisors' safety leadership behaviors (e.g., site visits, feedback, safety communication, etc.). In addition, it is necessary to adjust work speed and amount and allocate task considering employees' skill and ability to reduce the workload for reducing risk perception.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.56-65
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• 2020

Purpose:This study aims to understand and explore the subjective experiences of patient safety education among health care professionals in developing a patient safety curriculum in South Korea. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through two focus group interviews in the period October-December 2018. Eleven participants who underwent patient safety education participated in each session. All interviews were recorded and transcribed as spoken, and qualitative content analysis was used to identify categories of discussion depicting participants' subjective experience with patient safety education. Results: A total of three categories and seven themes were identified out of 77 units of analysis. Topics were identified in the dimensions of a patient safety curriculum, as follows: (1) activities for patient safety; (2) principle of patient safety (five rights, ethics, patient participation) and patient participation; (3) leadership, teamwork, and communication; and (4) reporting and learning system for patient safety events. In the dimension of methods, (5) case and evidence-based education and (6) multidisciplinary and small group teaching were identified. Finally, in the dimension of the system, (7) policies for patient safety education were identified. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that patient safety education is a significant area for health care professionals. Health care professionals suggested that a systematic patient safety curriculum would improve their knowledge and attitude toward patient safety. Moreover, it enables them to better construct a safety environment in a hospital.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.123-127
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) used on ships and to consider measures for preventing worker exposure to asbestos fibers. Methods: A total of 17 ships including 16 ships under repair and a ship under construction at shipyards in Korea were investigated. Bulk samples were collected from suspected ACMs on engine exhaust pipes, boiler steam pipes, generator exhaust pipes, and etc. in ships in order to identify the presence of ACMs. Types and contents of asbestos were determined using polarized light microscopy (PLM). Results: ACMs were found from 14 ships out of 17 ships investigated. Only chrysotile asbestos was found from all samples. ACMs were mainly found from samples collected at the exhaust pipes of the engine, generator and incinerator, and boiler steam pipes where exhaust gases or steam of high temperature pass through. In most cases, types of ACMs were asbestos-containing fabrics such as asbestos tape. Friable ACMs were also found in some cases. Use of ACMs on ships was relevant to built time and owner of the ships rather than type and tonnage of the ships. Conclusions: ACMs were found from most ships built prior to 2000s. Therefore, measures for preventing asbestos-related diseases such as preparation of asbestos map on the ship and installation of warning signs, hazard communication with workers (ship-repairing workers, engine room workers and etc.), and follow-up for worker's health management are needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe nurses' experience of health communication with doctors in the clinical fields. Methods: Eight experienced clinical nurses working in various units of general hospitals participated. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews and analyzed using the Colaizzi' method. Results: Five themes of nurses' experience of communication were identified: exploring the speaker seriously, becoming aware of emotions and controlling them, developing relationships after lining up for battle, having superficial and withered relationships with doctors, having few resources to promote communications with doctors. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that humanistic and warm interpersonal relationships and genuine sharing of information are necessary to ensure effective communication. Thus, practice guidelines should be re-evaluated and developed to meet the proposed standards; safety-net programs and education for health communication should also be established. Nurse managers should create a high-touch work environment.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.170-179
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• 2022

Background: The vulnerability of international migrant workers is on the rise, affecting the frequency of occupational accidents at workplaces worldwide. If migrant workers are managed in the same way as native workers, the consequences on safety assurance and risk management will be significant. This study aimed to develop the vulnerability factor model for migrant workers in seafood processing industries because of significant risk-laden labor of Thailand, which could be a solution to control the risk effectively. Methods: A total of 569 migrant workers were surveyed (432 Burmese and 137 Cambodian), beginning with 40 initial vulnerability factors identified in the questionnaire established from experts. The data were analyzed through descriptive analysis; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to ascertain the model. Results: The result of content validity >0.67 and the Cronbach's alpha of 0.957 specified the high reliability of 40 factors. The EFA indicated a total variance of 65.49%. The final CFA validated the model and had an empirical fitting; chi-square = 85.34, Adjust Goodness-of-Fit Index = 0.96, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.016. The structure concluded with three dimensions and 18 factors. Dimension 1 of the structure, "multicultural safety operation," contained 12 factors; Dimension 2, "wellbeing," contained four factors; and Dimension 3, "communication technology," contained two factors. Conclusion: The vulnerability factor structure developed in this study included three dimensions and 18 factors that were significantly empirical. The knowledge enhanced safety management in the context of vulnerability factor structure for migrant workers at the workplace.