• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.336-347
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• 2011

Objectives: In Korea, an average of 258 workers claim compensation for their noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) on an annual basis. Indeed, hearing disorder ranks first in the number of diagnoses made by occupational medical check-ups. Against this backdrop, this study analyzed the impact of 19 types of noise-generating machines and equipment on the sound pressure levels in workplaces and NIHL occurrence based on a 2009 national survey on work environments. Methods: Through this analysis, a series of statistical models were built to determine posterior probabilities for each worksite with an aim to present risk ratings for noise levels at work. Results: It was found that air compressors and grinding machines came in first and second, respectively in the number of installed noise-generating machines and equipment. However, there was no direct relationship between workplace noise and NIHL among workers since noise-control equipment and protective gear had been in place. By building a logistic regression model and neural network, statistical models were set to identify the influence of the noise-generating machines and equipment on workplace noise levels and NIHL occurrence. Conclusion: This study offered NIHL prevention measures which are fit for the worksites in each risk grade.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.34-39
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to suggest objective evaluation model as a plan to utilize as opportunity in establishing judgment standard of mutual inspection criteria and to upgrade inspection ability by reviewing and analyzing level of danger and importance in advance based on inspection results of inspection institutions regarding tower cranes used in construction fields. Tower crane is a mechanical device transporting construction supplies and heavy materials to places over 20~150M high from the ground for the period ranging from a short time of 2~3 months to two years after being installed in construction sites in vicinity of buildings or structures and is an important facility indispensable for construction sites. However, since use period after installation is short and professional technical ability of technicians working on-site about of tower crane is poor, systematic and quantitative safety management is not carried out As a part of researches on procedure of RBI(Risk Based Inspection) possible to apply to Knowledge Based System based on knowledge and experiences of experts as well as to tower cranes for solving these problems, quantitative RPN(Risk Priority Number) was applied to RPN utilizing technique of FMEA(Failure Mode and Effect Analyses). When general RBI 80/20 Rule was applied parts with high level of risks were found out as wire rope, hoist up/down safety device, reduction gear, and etc. However, since there are still many insufficient parts as risk analyses of tower crane were not established, it is necessary for experts with sufficient experiences and knowledge to supplement active RBI techniques and continuous researches on tower cranes by sharing and setting up data base of important information with this study as a starting point.