Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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An Analysis of the Gap in Recognition between Managers and Experts regarding the Poisonous Substances Designation System

유독물지정제도에 대한 유해화학물질관리자 및 전문가의 인식도 분석 연구

  • Kim, Mi Na (Korea Testing and Research Institute for Environment) ;
  • Lee, Seung Kil (Department of Environment and Public Health, Jangan University) ;
  • Doo, Yong Kyoon (Korea Chemical Management Association) ;
  • Cho, Sam Rae (National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Choi, Jae-Wook (Graduate School for Public Health at Korea University)
  • 김미나 (한국환경시험연구원) ;
  • 이승길 (장안대학교 환경보건과) ;
  • 두용균 (국립환경과학원) ;
  • 조삼래 (한국화학물질관리협회) ;
  • 최재욱 (고려대학교 보건대학원 환경보건과학과)
  • Received : 2015.05.28
  • Accepted : 2015.11.10
  • Published : 2015.12.28
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Abstract

Objectives: Poisonous substances experts engage in policymaking regarding poisonous substances, whereas poisonous substances managers perform legal duties related to poisonous substances management systems at worksites. To understand and improve poisonous substances designation systems, it is necessary to distinguish the roles of these experts and managers. We further aimed to identify problems with poisonous substances appointment systems and provide basic data for their improvement by investigating the knowledge and recognition of the need for system improvement among managers and experts. Methods: To determine the $subjects^{\circ}{\emptyset}$ awareness of poisonous substances designation systems, a selfadministered questionnaire comprised of items on general characteristics and knowledge and recognition of the need for system improvement was issued. Data were analyzed via t-tests and ANOVA using SPSS v 16.0 Results: Regarding system comprehension, managers (n=213; mean 3.28, SD 0.63) significantly differed from experts (n=35; mean 4.08, SD 0.59) (P<0.001). No differences were found in recognition of need for improvement between managers (mean 3.11, SD 0.34) and experts (mean 3.24, SD 0.31). Significant differences in comprehension were found among managers by education level (P<0.05) and company size (P<0.05). Regarding industry type, comprehension was greater in the electrical/electronic and chemical/environmental industries compared to in other industries (P = 0.066). Comprehension was higher among those with five years or more of experience compared to those with less than five years. Regarding recognition of need for improvement, managers showed significant differences by company size (P<0.05). $Experts^{\circ}{\emptyset}$ comprehension showed no differences by general characteristics, while need for improvement differed according to work experience (P<0.001). Conclusion: The study found that the bigger the company size, the higher the level of comprehension by managers and the experts. In the case of both groups, where a higher comprehension of the poisonous substances designation system was evident, they recognized the necessity of its improvement.

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