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http://dx.doi.org/10.15269/JKSOEH.2018.28.2.222

Research on the Safety and Health Management and Asphyxiation Gas Concentration in Ginger Storage Tunnel  

Kim, Hyocher (Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Lee, Minji (Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Kim, Insoo (Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Lee, Kyeongsuk (Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Seo, Mintae (Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Cha, Jongjin (Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Kim, Kyungran (Rural Development Administration, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene / v.28, no.2, 2018 , pp. 222-229 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate gas concentrations such as oxygen in ginger storage tunnels, which are the causes of asphyxiation in confined spaces and suggest directions for safety and health management at ginger farms. Methods: Five farms in the Seosan and Taean areas which use underground ginger storage tunnels were chosen and examined with a walk-through survey and direct reading device for oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and carbon monoxide. Results: The oxygen concentration in the storage tunnels with no ventilation was found to be under 18% in summer, which may cause health effects. The concentration in those with ventilation was about 19%. The difference in temperature by measurement day had little effect on the concentration of oxygen. Conclusions: Even though some of farms had used compulsory ventilation systems, none of the farms visited possessed any direct reading device for oxygen. Warning systems using a direct reading device can be more effective, helpful, and required compared to ventilation, considering the difficulty and expense of periodical maintenance of ventilation systems and the fact that a farmer can be placed in danger when unaware of the malfunction of the ventilation system. In addition, a warning system may make farmers more cognitive of agricultural safety and health actions while a ventilation system can cause them to become passive and ignorant of workplace hazards.
Keywords
content; farmer; information; safety and health;
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