• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.193-204
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• 2016

Objective: This study carried out base research to build an agricultural safety monitoring system through ICT convergence to reduce safety accidents and enhance welfare in life in the agricultural field. Background: The functions and values of rural villages as the space of living are recognized anew, but occupational accident rate due to farm work accidents is on the rise each year. Therefore, the seriousness of such a problem emerges. The convergence technology combining ICT is recently applied to industries overall, and therefore better services are offered. However, studies on ICT convergence has not yet been applied to the agricultural safety field. Method: This study identified ICT convergence service technology trends and representative serious accident types mainly occurring in agricultural activities. This study defined the major factors of farm work accidents and ICT to solve those accident factors including the sensor technology, wired/wireless communication technology and location information service, and applied them to prototype PCB for the development of an agricultural safety monitoring system. Results: This study proposed an emergency monitoring system for farmers and a harmful environment monitoring system. The ICT technology to prevent farm work accidents can be summarized as sensing technology, ICT and network technology and user interface technology. This study also designed PCB module configuration and situation judgment algorithm as basic research for proposed monitoring system development. Conclusion: The ICT-based agricultural safety monitoring research proposed in this study is expected to become the basis to build a future real time monitoring system, and also is expected to contribute to social safety and welfare service improvement for farmers. Application: The ICT convergence farmer accident prevention system will make contributions to the prevention of serious farm work accidents.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.77-82
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• 2009

This paper objected which prevented the accident occurrence of the related farm work, and developed the evaluation indicators for safety supervision on life environment of farmer and farm work to evaluate the health of farm worker and a musculoskeletal disorders. We selected the evaluation item to 82 items for executing the secondary Delphi investigation and the literature research which composed the farm work relationship specialist conference. We applied the index production of the evaluation indicators to decide the detailed element weight from the element which is farm work, the farm machine and the organization, farm workshop, dangerous substance, and life environment through the AHP techniques. Through the result, we can apply other ergonomic evaluation instrument of farm work field, but also the evaluation indicators for safety supervision on farm work.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2014

Purpose: In order to develop strategies to prevent farm-work accidents relating to agricultural machinery, influential factors were examined in this paper. The effects of these factors were quantified using logistic regression. Methods: Based on the results of a survey on farm-work accidents conducted by the National Academy of Agricultural Science, 21 tentative independent variables were selected. To apply these variables to regression, the presence of multicollinearity was examined by comparing correlation coefficients, checking the statistical significance of the coefficients in a simple linear regression model, and calculating the variance inflation factor. A logistic regression model and determination method of its goodness of fit was defined. Results: Among 21 independent variables, 13 variables were not collinear each other. The results of a logistic regression analysis using these variables showed that the model was significant and acceptable, with deviance of 714.053. Parameter estimation results showed that four variables (age, power tiller ownership, cognizance of the government's safety policy, and consciousness of safety) were significant. The logistic regression model predicted that the former two increased accident odds by 1.027 and 8.506 times, respectively, while the latter two decreased the odds by 0.243 and 0.545 times, respectively. Conclusions: Prevention strategies against factors causing an accident, such as the age of farmers and the use of a power tiller, are necessary. In addition, more efficient trainings to elevate the farmer's consciousness about safety must be provided.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 1978

This study was carried out through the survey questionaries in order to get the information for proper operating technique of the two-wheel tractors which are widely used in the farm, and investigated various accidents which occurred during the operation of two-wheel tractors for farm works in 7 Provinces of Korea. The summarized results are as follows ; 1. Annual accident frequency of the two-wheel tractor was 2.07 times, and the average rate of accident was 0.72 times per hour. Its value was the largest in the pre-operations , and the smallest in the threshing operation. 2. The accident distribution according to each month was nearly propertional to the operating hours of the two-wheel tractor. More than 60 % of total accident was concentrated during the rice transplanting and harvesting season. 3. The careless accident was more than 50% of total accident , and inevitable accident about 18% . The rate of careless accident showed the highest in pre-operation such as engine starting, check, and adjustment, and belt change. 4. The serious wounded operator was 7.1 % to total wounded operator , and about 50 % of accident of casualties to operators occurred during haruling operations. 5. The amount of casualties to property was range of 1,000 to 10,000 won, and annual total amount per unit tractor could be estimated to be 10 , 000 won.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 2014

Background: Agriculture ranks among the most dangerous trades worldwide. There is, however, still a lack of knowledge on nonfatal injuries in agriculture. The aim of this study was to describe the nature and occurrence of nonfatal injuries in farmers in two counties in central Norway. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 7,004 farmers in Norway. We asked for information about the respondents and the farm, whether the farmer had had work-related injuries on the farm during the past 12 months, and details about the incidence and seriousness of the injury. Results: A total of 2,699 respondents gave a response rate of 42%. Of the respondents, 249 (9.2%) reported one or more work-related injuries. The most usual cause of injury involved an animal, and >75% of these happened inside the outbuilding. Among these, 17.5% had a consequence of sick leave or a more serious result. When all the accidents were analyzed by stepwise logistic regression, only the variables: works alone, has >3,500 stipulated working hours at the farm, and the type of production were statistical significant explanatory variables for having an injury. Conclusion: Incorporating safety aspects to a greater extend in the design and construction of outbuildings would make a substantial contribution to injury prevention in agriculture.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.202-210
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• 2006

Objectives : Although dairy farming ranks as the industry with the highest injury incidence rate, the information on the injuries is limited in Gyeonggi Province. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of farm accidents and injuries. Methods : The occurrence of accidents among dairy farmers due to work-related injuries were investigated from 2,799 dairy farms of Seoul Dairy Cooperative. Among 171 total accidents, the number of accidents for human was 108. In this study, the 108 human accidents were investigated. Results : The results of this study were as follows; First, the injury rate in dairy farming was 1.60%. Second, the highest injury in dairy farm was occurred in the spring and at 6~8 p.m. Third, a variety of injuries occurred when doing the milking. Fourth, cow, machinery and falls were among the most common causes. Fifth, the most common injuries was fracture (52.8%) and the most common body part of injuries were torso (25.9%), legs (22.2%) and hand (18.5%). Sixth, 45% of the accidents indicated the lost work time from 4 weeks to 3 months. Recommendations: With the results, it is recommended that practical control methods to prevent accidents in dairy farming, for instance, wearing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) or designing a moderate floor of works etc. be studied and developed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.1
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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.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.137-150
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• 2005

Although the rate of women farmer's participation in agricultural activities have been increased upto 52.7 % as of year 2003, Korean society has not fully recognized their roles in rural society. According to the agricultural basic law, most of rural women were engaged in agriculture as full time job, however, only about 11% of them could have supporting evidence of themselves as farmer having legal right. If women farmers faced some unexpected things such as a traffic accident, insurance company would not reward them as farmers unless they provide written proof of their job as farm worker or farm owner. Based on lawyer's legal advice, the authors developed a diary called "Saenghwalilji", a daily diary based on their time use and bookkeeping to prove the fact of their contribution to income generation of the farm. After examination of the diary, 18 persons out of 29 volunteers kept two types of dairy for the period of two weeks, and they reported it was very useful. Finally the better one of two was selected after reflecting the suggestions from the respondents. The "Saenghwalilji", will be very useful proof of women farmer's contribution to income, at the same time improving their farm management through better use of daily life time.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 1995

This study was carried out, through analyzing the annual reports(year of 1973-1993) on health status of Su Dong-Myun, and specific survey data of 332 households(Su Dong-Myun 209, Byul Nae-Myun 123), located in Nam Yang Ju-Si, Kyung Gi-Do, from July 20 to July 31, 1995, to find out more effective means for primary medical care in a rural area. The results were as fellows : 1. Number of population in Su Dong-Myun was 5,419 in 1973, 4,591(the lowest) in 1987 and 5,707 in 1995. In the composition rate of population, "0-14" of age group showed markedly decreasing tendency from 43.1% in 1975, to 19.1% in 1995, however "65 and over" markedly in creasing tendency form 5.3% in 1975 to 9.8% in 1995. 2. Annual utilization rate per 1,000 inhabitants in Su Dong-Myun showed markedly increasing tendency from 1973 to 1977 such as 343 in 1973, 540 in 1975, 900 in 1977. However, since 1979, the rate showed rapidly decreasing tendency, such as 846 in 1979, 519 in 1985, 190 in 1991 and 1993. 3. The morbid household rate per year was 53.6% of respondents and the rate per 15 days was 48.2%. In disease classification rate of morbid household per year, Arthralgia & Neuralgia was the highest rate(33.9%) and gastro-intestinal disorder(19.3%), Cough(11,9%), Hypertension(7.8%), Accident(3.2%) in next order. 4. In the utilizing facilities for Primary Medical Care, Medical facilities was showed the highest rate(58.1% of respondents) and Pharmacy and Drug Shp(33.1%), Tradition Method(4.0%) in next order. In the Medical facilities, General private clinic was showed the highest rate(34.3%) and specific private Clinic(22.3%), Hospital(19.0%), Health (Sub)center(16.3%), Nurse practitioner (3.3%), Oriental hospital and clinic(2.7%) in next order. 5. Experience rate, utilizing health subcenter was 51.8% of the respondents, and it was 55.0% in Su Dong-Myun and 46.3% in Byul Nae-Myun. In utilization times of health subcenter, times-rate showed next orders such as 1-2 times/6months(31.6%), 1-2 times/year (22.1%), 1-2 times/months(19.2%), 1-2 times/3months(15.6%). 6. In objectives, visiting Health Subcenter, Medical Care was the highest rate(59.8% of the respondents) and health control(23.3%) was in next order. In Medical Care, Primary Care by general physician was higher rate(51.1%) almost all. In the Health control, Immunization too was high rate(18.0%) in health control activities. 7. The reasons rate, utilizing health subcenter showed next order, such as distance to Medical facilities(33.0% of the respondents), Medical Cost(28.1%), Simple process of consultation (10.8%), Effectiveness of cure(7.6%), Function of primary medical care(7.0%) and Attitude of physician(6.5%). 8. In the affecting factors to utilization of primary medical facilities, medical needs was showed the highest rate(29.5% of the respondents) and medical cost(15.4%), distance to medical facilities(14.2%), traffic vehicle(14.2%) and farm work(6.9%) in next order. 9. In the priority between 'daily farm work,' and 'primary medical care', only 46.4% of respondents answered that primary health care is more important than the daily farm work The 22.6% of respondents answered 'daily farm work', and the 12.3% answered 'the equal of the both'. 10. In the criterion of medical facilities choice, medical knowledge and technical quality was showed the highest rate(56.3%), distance or time to medical facilities(10.9%), sincerity and kindness of physician(9.4%), medical cost(8.7%) and traffic vehicle(6.5%) in next order 11. In the advise for improvement of health subcenter function, the 36.1% of respondents answered that 'enforcement of medical personnel and equipment' was required, and then 'improved medical technology'(25.5%), 'good attitude of physician'(14.9%), 'improved medical system'(13.3%), 'enforced drug'(6.7%) in next order. 12. The study on affecting factors to utilization of primary medical facilities was very difficult subject to systematize the analyzed results, due to a prejudice of protocol planner, surveyer and respondent, and variety and overlapping of subject matter.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.454-468
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the actual condition of the farm work environment and personal protective equipment as part of the effort to improve livestock work for the safety and health of poultry farmers and provide basic data for establishing plans to improve and develop personal protective equipment. Methods: For this purpose, a questionnaire survey on general information about stables, the poultry work environment, accidents, the wearing of work clothes and personal protective equipment, and the level of awareness related to personal protective equipment was conducted among 148 poultry farmers. Results: As a result, it was found that poultry workplace environment was exposed to such risks as fine dusts; organic dusts; poisonous gases; odorous substances; chicken excrement; contact with chickens, bacteria or viruses; and accidents related to machine operation. Thirteen percent of respondents suffered severe respiratory diseases, and the most frequently injured sites due to accidents were the hands (25.7%), knees (23.8%), arms (17.3%), and head (10.9%). The most frequent type of accident was collisions between the body and obstacles or machinery during movement (36.4%), followed by erroneous machine operation such as feeders and electric shocks (8.5%). Regarding the wearing of work clothes and personal protective equipment, 51.7% of the respondents wore worn-out clothing or everyday clothes, whereas only 32.0% wore work clothes. The percentage of farmers who wore proper protective equipment for the work environment during poultry work was 48.4%. The most frequently used type of protective equipment was boots (38.9%), followed by mask (36.7%), gloves (36.3%), appropriate work clothes (22.6%), quarantine clothes (17.6%), helmets (13.4%), and goggles (12.6%). The rate of wearing goggles was low because they were considered inconvenient and lowered work efficiency. Furthermore, they purchased everyday products available on the market for their personal protective equipment which were not appropriate for maintaining safety in an actual harmful environment and its consequent risks. As a result of the survey of the awareness level related to personal protective equipment, their levels of awareness of accidents and attitude proved to be average or higher, but the practice of wearing protective equipment and the level of knowledge and management of personal protective equipment were lower. Conclusion: This survey found that the wearing status of personal protective equipment among poultry farmers was insufficient even though they were exposed to risks. Most respondents were aware of the necessity of wearing personal protective equipment and of the potential for accidents, but they did not wear proper protective equipment. Their wearing rate was low due to a lack of knowledge about protective equipment, as well as the inconvenience of wearing it. Therefore there is a need to improve and develop specialized personal protective equipment for respiration, hands, and eyes, as well as work clothes that can protect farmers from major harmful matter that is generated in the poultry workplace. Based on the results of this investigation, we will conduct further studies on the required performance and design directions of personal protective equipment while collecting more objective data through field-oriented assessments.