• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.343-353
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• 2023

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in the lifestyle patterns of children and affected the patterns of pediatric injuries. This study analyzed the changing patterns of pediatric injury overall and by age groups, based on the datasets before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study is based on the data of patients who presented with injuries at 23 hospital emergency departments participating in the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The surveillance data was categorized by injury mechanism, location, activity, and severity. We analyzed the injury patterns of pediatric patients aged 0 to 15 years. Subgroup analysis was conducted by age group in children aged 7 to 15 years, 1 to 6 years, and <1 year. Results: When comparing the COVID-19 pandemic period to the pre-COVID-19 period, the total number of pediatric patients with injuries decreased by 38.7%, while the proportions of in-home injuries (57.9% vs. 67.9%), and minor injuries (38.9% vs. 39.7%) increased. In the 7 to 15 years group, bicycle riding injuries (50.9% vs. 65.6%) and personal mobility device injuries (2.4% vs. 4.6%) increased. The 1 to 6 years group also showed an increase in bicycle accident injuries (15.8% vs. 22.4%). In the <1 year group, injuries from falls increased (44.5% vs. 49.9%). Self-harm injuries in the 7 to 15 years group also increased (1.6% vs. 2.8%). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the overall number of pediatric injuries decreased, while injuries occurring at home and during indoor activities increased. Traffic accidents involving bicycles and personal mobility devices and self-harm injuries increased in the 7 to 15 years group. In the <1 year group, the incidence of falls increased. Medical and societal preparedness is needed so that we might anticipate these changes in the patterns of pediatric injuries during future infectious disease pandemics.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

This study focuses on modeling the impact of ammonia leakage from the storage tank in a combined cycle power plant's flue gas denitrification facility. It employs accident impact assessments and diffusion models to determine the optimal scenarios for ammonia storage tank leakage accidents. The study considers the operating conditions of variables as standard conditions for predicting the extent of damage. The Taean combined cycle power plant is chosen as the target area, taking into account seasonal factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric stability, and wind direction. By utilizing a Gaussian diffusion model, the concentration of ammonia gas at various locations is estimated to assess the potential extent of external damage resulting from a leak. The study reveals that in conditions of high temperature and stable atmosphere within the specified range, lower wind speeds contribute to increased damage to the human body due to ammonia diffusion.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.319-327
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• 2023

This study analyzes the risks of explosions of small LPG storage tanks installed at highway rest areas. For this purpose, the ranges of the effect of thermal radiation and overpressure caused by the BLEVE(Boiling Liquid Expansion Vapor Explosion)and VCE(Vapor Cloud Explosion) of a 2900-kg small LPG storage tank installed at highway rest areas were quantitatively evaluated by applying the Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres program. The ranges of influence of the derived explosion overpressure and thermal radiation were found to have a maximum radii of 336 m and 423 m, respectively. The study determined that those within 269 m could be severely injured by an explosion overpressure of 3.5 psi, and fatalities from thermal radiation of 10 kw/m² could occur within 192 m of the exploded storage tank. The safety management plan for the LPG storage tank was discussed while considering the auxiliary facilities of highway rest areas and the extent of the damage impact. These research results will help improve safety accident prevention regulations considering the environment and facilities of the rest areas as well as the safety management of small LPG storage tanks installed at highway rest areas.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.77-84
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• 2023

In the agricultural sector, power sources are being developed that use alternative energy sources such as electric tractors and hydrogen tractors, away from internal combustion engine tractors. As parts such as engines and transmissions used in conventional internal combustion engine tractors are replaced with motors and batteries, the center of gravity changes, and thus the risk of rollover should be considered. The purpose of this study is to analyze the overturn angle of the main parts of the electric tractor through dynamic simulation to minimize the overturn accident and to derive the optimal arrangement of parts to improve stability. A total of nine dynamics simulations were conducted by designing three components of the PTO motor, drive motor and the battery pack, and three factors of the arrangement method. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that Type3 Level3, in which the drive motor and the PTO motor are located at the front and rear of the tractor, and two battery packs are located in the middle of the tractor, has a high rollover angle. As a result of this study, the stability increased as the center of gravity was placed backward and located below. Future research needs to be done to find the optimal location of parts considering their performance and placement efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.43-49
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• 2023

Hydrofluoric acid is a less acidic substance than hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid, but it is one of the most dangerous substances for humans. In recent years, it has become an indispensable substance in industries such as chemical plants and the semiconductor industry, and although it is a threat to the human body, its use is increasing for various purposes, and the amount of use is constantly increasing due to the expansion and development of the industry. The dangers of hydrogen fluoride have been highlighted since the 2012 accident, which led to a more than fivefold increase in management standards for handling facilities. Hydrogen fluoride converts to hydrofluoric acid when exposed to the air, which can be fatal to humans. This study simulates the effects of a release of a toxic substance in the workplace, even though a protection layer has been provided to minimize the damage caused by the released toxic substance, and recommend ways to control the risk to workers in the event of a release in the workplace.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2024

With advancements in artificial intelligence technology, intelligent CCTV systems are being deployed across various environments, such as river bridges and construction sites. However, a conflict arises regarding the opening and closing of rooftop access points due to concerns over potential accidents and crime incidents and their role as emergency evacuation spaces. While the relevant law typically mandates the constant opening of designated rooftop access points, closures are often tacitly permitted in practice for security reasons, with a lack of appropriate legal measures. In this context, this study proposes a detection system utilizing intelligent CCTV to respond to emergencies that may occur on rooftops. We develop a system based on the YOLOv5 object detection model to detect assault and suicide attempts by jumping, introducing a new metric to assess them. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system rapidly detects assault and suicide attempts with high accuracy. Additionally, through a legal analysis of rooftop access point management, deficiencies in the legal framework regarding rooftop access and CCTV installation are identified, and improvement measures are proposed. With technological and legal improvements, we believe that crime and accident incidents in rooftop environments will decrease.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.221-231
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to enhance the safety and care of mental health for seafarer working in passenger ship workspaces. Brightness, color values, and color distribution were investigated with issues and improvement ways identified through seafarers' interviews. Firstly, previous studies, references, current policy, regulations, and accident case studies were reviewed. Color compositions of wheelhouse and engine room of M Ship were then surveyed in the field. Color values of each space were analyzed using a colorimeter. Colormeter analysis of brightness and color measurements in the wheelhouse and engine areas indicated that ceilings, walls, and floors were generally dark, with the engine area being very dark. Regarding color, green and blue were distributed in the ceiling of the wheelhouse and engine area, while red and blue were in the walls and floors of the wheelhouse and engine area. According to interviews with seafarers currently working at engine rooms, they responded about their experience of near miss incidents due to a decrepit indoor environment, a dark working environment, slippery and bright flooring, and stairs that were not suitable for domestic users. Thus, when installing lighting in the future, the brightness of the space should be improved by distinguishing between night and day. A lighting plan considering the location of lighting, level of shadow formation and contrast, reflectance of the facility, glare, color of light, floor color plan, and material selection is needed. A facility design suitable for domestic users is also needed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.803-811
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• 2024

Nuclear accidents such as Fukushima Daiichi have highlighted the potential of passive safety systems to replace or complement active safety systems as part of the overall prevention and/or mitigation strategies. In addition, passive systems are key features of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), for which they are becoming almost unavoidable and are part of the basic design of many reactors available in today's nuclear market. Nevertheless, their potential to significantly increase the safety of nuclear power plants still needs to be strengthened, in particular the ability of computer codes to determine their performance and reliability in industrial applications and support the safety demonstration. The PASTELS project (September 2020-February 2024), funded by the European Commission "Euratom H2020" programme, is devoted to the study of passive systems relying on natural circulation. The project focuses on two types, namely the SAfety COndenser (SACO) for the evacuation of the core residual power and the Containment Wall Condenser (CWC) for the reduction of heat and pressure in the containment vessel in case of accident. A specific design for each of these systems is being investigated in the project. Firstly, a straight vertical pool type of SACO has been implemented on the Framatome's PKL loop at Erlangen. It represents a tube bundle type heat exchanger that transfers heat from the secondary circuit to the water pool in which it is immersed by condensing the vapour generated in the steam generator. Secondly, the project relies on the CWC installed on the PASI test loop at LUT University in Finland. This facility reproduces the thermal-hydraulic behaviour of a Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS) mainly composed of a CWC, a heat exchanger in the containment vessel connected to a water tank at atmospheric pressure outside the vessel which represents the ultimate heat sink. Several activities are carried out within the framework of the project. Different tests are conducted on these integral test facilities to produce new and relevant experimental data allowing to better characterize the physical behaviours and the performances of these systems for various thermo-hydraulic conditions. These test programmes are simulated by different codes acting at different scales, mainly system and CFD codes. New "system/CFD" coupling approaches are also considered to evaluate their potential to benefit both from the accuracy of CFD in regions where local 3D effects are dominant and system codes whose computational speed, robustness and general level of physical validation are particularly appreciated in industrial studies. In parallel, the project includes the study of single and two-phase natural circulation loops through a bibliographical study and the simulations of the PERSEO and HERO-2 experimental facilities. After a synthetic presentation of the project and its objectives, this article provides the reader with findings related to the physical analysis of the test results obtained on the PKL and PASI installations as well an overall evaluation of the capability of the different numerical tools to simulate passive systems.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.407-417
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• 2024

The objective of this study is to predict and reduce potential damage caused by chlorine gas leaks, a hazardous material, when vehicles transporting it overturn due to accidents or other incidents. The goal is to forecast the anticipated damages caused by chlorine toxicity levels (ppm) and to design effective response strategies for mitigating them. To predict potential damages, we conducted quantitative assessments using the ALOHA program to calculate the toxic effects (ppm) and damage distances resulting from chlorine leaks, taking into account potential negligence of drivers during transportation. The extent of damage from toxic gas leaks is influenced by various factors, including the amount of the leaked hazardous material and the meteorological conditions at the time of the leak. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of damage distances was conducted by examining various scenarios that involved variations in the amount of leakage and weather conditions. Under intermediate conditions (leakage quantity: 5 tons, wind speed: 3 m/s, atmospheric stability: D), the estimated distance for exceeding the AEGL-2 level of 2 ppm was calculated to be 9 km. This concentration poses a high risk of respiratory disturbance and potential human casualties, comparable to the toxicity of hydrogen chloride. In particular, leaks in urban areas can lead to significant loss of life. In the event of a leakage incident, we proposed a plan to minimize damage by implementing appropriate response strategies based on the location and amount of the leak when an accident occurs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.194-199
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• 2024

Accidents due to aircraft fuel defects rank in the top 13 of the 34 accident types described by CAST-ICAO Common Taxonomy Team(CICTT). Aircraft accidents occur because of the inflow of moisture or pollutants depending on the distribution process and storage environment. To confirm the change in physical properties of the aircraft oil stored for a long time, we stored JET A-1 aircraft oil in a metal can to observe the change after six months. We confirmed that the aircraft oil stored for a long time satisfied the quality standards, and the stability of the fuel oil was high. However, in scenarios in which aircraft oil is stored separately on ships, onshore storage facilities, oil fields, etc., owing to the nature of missions, such as in marine police aircraft, the inflow of moisture or pollutants may likely occur due to changes in the internal and external environment. In addition, pollutants can be analyzed using existing tests and distillation properties, but for moisture, domestic and international standards and domestic laws determine the moisture separation ability of aircraft oil through the water separation index, but the moisture content is not analyzed. Therefore, aviation safety must be secured by adding quality control standards for moisture content and performing revisions to uniformize domestic and international standards and laws.