• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.160-170
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• 2018

This paper is an exploratory study on the success factors of Defence Quality Management System (DQMS) which is the certification system granted by the military for improving the quality of munitions. DQMS is established by adding military requirements to the ISO standard, thus, we especially focus on the additional requirements to figure out success key factors of DQMS certification. The 51 additional requirements of Korean Defense Specification (KDS) are empirically investigated from 67 companies that acquired DQMS certification. Firstly, we conduct an independent t-tests on 51 additional requirements of KDS 0050-900-3 to determine if there is a difference between an easily certified company and a hard-to-certify company, and obtain 8 requirements such as 'Internal propagation of performance', 'Preparation of documented work instructions', 'Work instructions in the workplace', 'Documentation of equipment management', 'Inventory management', 'Packaging and identification', 'Guarantee of access to internal audit result for customers', 'Notification to the customer for improper product.' Secondly, we carry out an factor analysis to the 51 additional requirements for classification, and figure out that 4 requirements among the 8 requirements above mentioned are grouped together in the same factor. The 4 requirements are 'Preparation of documented work instructions', 'Work instructions in the workplace', 'Packaging and identification', and 'Guarantee of access to internal audit result for customers.' The result of this paper will provide useful information to the company preparing for DQMS.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.78-88
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• 2023

Background: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have acute and chronic health effects on human beings in general and in working environments. In particular, VOCs are often emitted in large quantities in industrial settings. In such circumstances, there is a need to improve the indoor air quality at workplaces. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to verify the effectiveness of air cleaning devices in workplaces and provide alternative solutions for improving working environments. Methods: Personal exposure and area level of VOCs for workers were evaluated in a car-part adhesive process before and after installing an air cleaning device with a TiO₂-coated filter. Passive samplers and direct reading instruments were used to collect and analyze the VOCs, and the removal efficiency and improvement of air quality were evaluated. We also calculated the exposure index (EI) to assess the risk level in the workplace. Results: The removal efficiency for VOCs through the installation of the air cleaning device was approximately 26.9~69.0% as determined by the concentration levels before and after installation. The measured substances did not exceed the exposure limits for the work environment and the EI was less than 1. However, carcinogenic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene were detected. Conclusions: The application of an air cleaning device can be a solution for controlling the indoor air quality in a workplace, particularly in cases where ventilation systems cannot be installed due to process limitations.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.43
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• pp.272.1-272.12
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• 2018

Background: In Korea, the breastfeeding (BF) rate of infants aged 6 months or more is drastically decreasing, and this phenomenon is particularly worrisome for the future health of the population. The present study aimed to identify an antenatal strategy for initiation and continuation of human BF, and to identify how Baby-Friendly Hospitals (BFHs) may positively influence the intention to breastfeed. Methods: A total of 414 pregnant Korean antenatal women were surveyed using questionnaires to determine current knowledge of the benefits of human breast milk, whether they planned to breastfeed after delivery, to continue BF after reinstatement in the workforce, are willing to abide by rooming-in care for infants, and plan to give birth at BFHs. Results: We found that planning room-in care, greater awareness of BF benefits for infant and mother, participation in antenatal education programs, and provision of BF facilities in the workplace were positively associated with plans for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and longer BF duration. The mothers who planned to give birth at BFHs also desired to breastfeed immediately after birth, implement in-room care, continue BF at their workplace, participate in antenatal BF educational programs, and were more aware of the benefits of BF. Conclusion: If the beneficial effects of BFHs were well known to individuals, these would enhance the success rate of BF in Korea. Antenatal education and consequent acquisition of better knowledge of the benefits of BF are important for increasing the rate of BF practices.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to predict industrial accident rate using time series analysis. Methods: The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death were analyzed using industrial accident statistics analysis system of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency from 2001 to 2014. Time series analysis was done using the most recent data, such as raw materials of Economically Active Population Survey, Economic Statistics System of the Bank of Korea, and e-National indicators. The best-fit model with time series analysis to predict occupational injury was developed by identifying predictors when the value of Akaike Information Criteria was the lowest point. Variables into the model were selected through a series of expertises' consultations and literature review, which consisted of socioeconomic structure, labor force structure, working conditions, and occupational accidents. Results: Indexes at the meso- and macro-levels predicting well occurrence of occupational accidents and occupational injury death were labor force participation rate for ages 45-49 and budget for small scaled workplace support. The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death are expected to decline. Conclusion: For reducing industrial accident continuously, we call for safe employment policy of economically active middle aged adults and support for improving safety work environment of small sized workplace.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.396-407
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• 2023

Background: This study investigated the awareness and utilization of maternity protection and work-family balance support policies among dental hygienists in dental hospitals and clinics. Methods: We surveyed 200 dental hygienists. Twenty-two who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded, leaving 178 participants for analysis. The self-administered 48-item questionnaire gathered information on demographics, workplace details, policy awareness, government knowledge, and suggestions for improvement. Results: Awareness of maternity and family support programs significantly differed with age, marital status, number of children, and clinical experience. Dental hygienists in general hospitals and university hospitals reported greater ease of utilizing these policies compared to those in dental clinics. Among the participants, 27.7% took pre- and post-maternity leave, 26.6% took parental leave, 16.9% had reduced working hours during pregnancy, 15.8% had reduced working hours during childhood,and 8.5% during family leave. To promote program uptake, participants suggested mandatory implementation across workplaces (68.4%), expanded support for substitute workers (48.6%), and increased education and promotion of government support (42.4%). Conclusion: While most dental hygienists were aware of the Maternity Protection and Work-Family Balance Assistance Policy, utilizing it proved challenging due to several factors. Organizational policies or practices may not fully implement this policy, while workplace culture could discourage its use. Unfair treatment and the lack of available substitutes further hindered access. To prevent career interruptions for dental hygienists due to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and family care, and to maintain career continuity, the dental community and government should establish a multifaceted social support system. This system should prioritize several key areas: strengthening policy promotion, fostering a family-friendly atmosphere, improving management and supervision of policy implementation and developing a robust support system for substitute personnel.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.410-419
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• 2009

Generally, air pollutant emission at workplace is estimated by two methods: indirect methods using emission factors and direct methods based on CEMS (Continuous Emission Monitoring System). CAPSS (Clean Air Policy Support System) is a representative indirect method and the national air pollutant database of Korea. However, characteristics of some workplaces may create a gap between CAPSS and CEMS data. For improving of emission data accuracy, emission data of CEMS (named CleanSYS) equipped at 138 target workplaces were compared with those of CAPSS. As a result, $SO_x$ and $PM_{10}$ emission levels obtained by CAPSS were lower than those of CleanSYS. $SO_x$ and $PM_{10}$emission ratios were 61.5% and 71.2% lower respectively, showing the biggest gaps. On the other hand, $NO_x$ emission of CAPSS was higher by 10.4%. $SO_x$ showed the biggest difference in 'Energy industry combustion' and $NO_x$ did in 'Production Process' within the SCC category. $PM_{10}$ presented a large gap in 'Manufacturing industry combustion.' The differences in $SO_x$ between the two systems occurred because some large-size facilities lack pollution controllers or efficient pollution controllers. Based on this study, CAPSS emission database of Korea will improve accuracy through adopting CEMS emission system, which enables more efficient national atmospheric policies and workplace management.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.246-259
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• 2010

The incidence of chronic disease is continuously increasing in Korea. Especially, office workers have higher risk of chronic disease because of their dietary habit and lifestyle. The study aimed to investigate the effect of tailored nutrition counseling on improving chronic disease risk factors. Ninety-nine male workers (age $46.9{\pm}7.0$ yrs) volunteered for 12 weeks of nutrition program containing dietary intake and physical activity adjustment. Five individualized programs were performed with the main theme of weight loss (WL, n = 16), blood pressure lowering (BL, n = 34), normalizing blood glucose (GL, n = 21), lipid lowering (LL, n = 13) and reducing MS risk factors (ML, n = 15). Anthropometric data, blood-pressure, self-reported questionnaire, blood profiles were measured before and after 12weeks of nutrition education. The education program included 5 times of 1：1 interview. Compared to 0 week, anthropometric data (weight, BMI, fat, visceral fat, waist, SBP, DBP) were significantly decreased after 12 weeks (p < 0.001). Fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol were decreased (p < 0.05). The primary outcomes with individually tailored programs showed to be more effective than one general nutrition program.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2789-2796
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• 2014

This is a descriptive correlation study to identify job stress, fatigue, and depression among ship-building supply workers. The subjects were 175 ship-building supply workers at one small & medium-sized ship-building supply company in K city. The data were collected from February 1st throughout 28th, 2013. The collected data were analyzed using the SAS program through mean, standard deviation, and Pearson's correlation coefficients. There was a positive correlation between job need and job insecurity of the job stress underlying factors and fatigue respectively (r=0.15, p<.05; r=0.17, p<.05). There was a negative correlation between organizational system factor and fatigue (r=-0.19, p<.05). Also there was a positive correlation between workplace culture factor and depression (r=0.15, p<.05). In conclusion, it could be needed for organizational managers to develop strategies for improving the workers' psychosocial workplace environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.20-32
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• 2013

This study is aimed at identifying the relationship of transit accessibility types to its related travel frequency in the Seoul metropolitan area. A multi-level poisson regression model is employed after categorizing transit accessibility into 18 types based on locations of residential and work workplace. Analysis results offer three policy implications in improving transit use in the Seoul metropolitan area. First, increase in transit ridership can be more effectively attained when policies concerning both competitive and complementary relationships between bus and rail transit are incorporated. Second, transfer system needs to be focused on such two modal perspectives as one travels from Seoul to suburban area and residential areas given the fact that walking accessibility to bus transit is good but that to rail transit is poor. Third, it is more effective to emphasize rail transit priority rather than bus transit, especially for the travel from suburban area to the city of Seoul in order to increase transit ridership.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.213-219
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• 2022

Objective: The Job Demand & Resources model suggests work characteristics are related to mental well-being and work engagement. Previous work describes the development of a combined construct 'engaged well-being at work' (EWB). To what extent changes in measures of this construct are responsive to changes in job demands and resources or associated with changes in job-related attitudes has not been established. Methods: Longitudinal employee-level data from three waves (German Linked Personnel Panel) were used. Logistic and linear fixed effects regression analyses explored longitudinal associations between changes in EWB for participants over a three-year period with changes in job demands and resources and job-related attitudes (job commitment, satisfaction, and turnover intentions). Results: While job resources were associated with increased odds for a change into a healthier and/or more engaged category of EWB, job demands reduced them. Job resources were more strongly related to higher EWB (OR_range = 1.22 - 1.61) than job demands (OR_range = 0.79 - 0.96). Especially psychological job demands showed negative associations with improved EWB (OR = 0.79). A change from the least desirable category 'disengaged strain' to any other category of EWB was associated with greater odds by up to 20.6 % for increased commitment and job satisfaction and lower odds for turnover intentions. Discussion: Improving work characteristics, especially job resources, could increase employees' EWB, emphasizing the importance of job characteristics for a healthy workplace. Because EWB seems to be associated with job attitudes, an improvement of this indicator would be relevant for employees and employers.