• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2006

The present study evaluated the accuracy of MSD-related work criterion of Korea Ministry of Labor by using ergonomic workload evaluation methods. 1,948 manufacturing works in automobile industry were divided into 1,286 MSD-related risky works and 662 risk-free ones by using RULA, ANSI Z-365 and perceived discomfort evaluation. Then, the two types of works were evaluated by Labor Ministry work criterion to analyze the classification accuracy of the work criterion. The work criterion of Korea Labor Ministry had low hit and false alarm ratio(20 and 11%) and high miss and correct rejection ratio(80 and 89%), and the odd ratios of hit and correct rejection were 0.2 and 8.3, respectively. It can be concluded that the work criterion of Korea Labor Ministry is a conservative evaluation method which tends to evaluate a target work as risk-free.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.239-247
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• 2008

In order to study the occurrence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders of radio-technologists employed at metropolitan general hospitals and the factors that influence such occurrence, standardized questionnaire by NIOSH that was modified and supplemented to be suitable for conditions in Korea was used. Answers collected from 143 radio-technologists in two weeks from June 13, 2007 were analyzed and the results are as follows. Factor that influence symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders by area were analyzed through multiple logistic regression analysis and the results found that in the neck area, risk increased as the burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.94) and burdening work category 9(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=4.72) increased. In the shoulder region, risk increased as burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.36), burdening work category 7(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.90), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.76) increased. In the arm/hand/wrist regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=6.91), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.76) increased. In the lower back region, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.06), and burdening work category 8 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=8.14) increased. In the leg/knees/foot regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.63), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=2.96) increased. Conclusively, in factors that influence musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in radio-technologists, influence of subjective health conditions, total work experience, experience in current division, and burdening work category 2, 7, 8, and 9 (Korea ministry of labor) were most significant. Therefore, for preventive management, in addition to ergonomic and educational intervention for correcting improper posture during work, efforts for break time adjustment and stress reduction is needed, and encouragement and support for regular exercise is needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the trend of work-related accident rate in the past 10 years (2002~2011) in Gusan district, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Korea. Methods: To analyze the change of work-related accident rate in the past 10 years in Gunsan District, we analyzed the work-related accident and disease by the type of business, business scale and analyzing the victim's age and job period using workplace information management system(PKMS) in the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Results: The average rate of work-related accidents in Gunsan district was 0.96% in the past 10 years and it was a little higher than that of national average 0.75%. The rates of work-related accidents tended to decrease from 1.11% in 2002, to 1.09% in 2006, and to 0.79% in 2011. Mortality (per 10,000) rates also tended to decrease in the years 2002, 2006, and 2011 as 3.07, 2.46, and 1.53. By the type of business, the average rate of work-related accidents in the past 10 years was the highest in agriculture as 1.77%, followed by forestry farming at 1.76%. By the business scale, the average rate of work-related accidents was the highest in the group of under 5 employees as 2.05% and it was the lowest in the group of more than 300 employees as 0.50%. The ratio of work-related accidents in the 30's age group was decreased from 41.7% in 2002 to 25.2% in 2011 and the ratio for the 50's age group was increased from 28.6% in 2002 to 49.5% in 2011. Conclusions: Although the rate of work-related accident was decreased in the past 10 years, the polarization of work-related accidents rated by the business scale and age groups show a significant difference. So it is needed that the planning and implementing of work-related accidents prevention policies.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-49
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to introduce the assessment model for industrial accidents prevention policy. Methods: 10 years of industrial accidents data are explored through EDA approach. Case control study is tried in order to assess the effectiveness of the measures taken by Korea Safety and Health Agency, Civilian, and 'Ministry of Employment and Labor'. Propensity score matching is used to match the characteristics of the two groups compared, and then case control study is again conducted. Next, logistic and Poisson regressions are used to assess the risk factors. Results: According to case control study involvement of 'Korea Safety and Health Agency' and 'Ministry of Employment and Labor' were not effective, but Civilian was. Propensity score matching leads to the same conclusion. Poisson regression reveals the impact of the risk factors on the industrial accidents. Industrial accidents occur more often as the number of employees grows. Mining, farming, fishing, 'transportation storage and telecommunication' and forestry have a higher level of industrial accidents but service industry has a lower level. It is odd that more involvement of Korea Safety and Health Agency, Civilian, and Ministry of Employment and Labor means more industrial accidents. Conclusion: 'Korea Safety and Health Agency', Civilian, and 'Ministry of Employment and Labor' seem to visit those industries with more industrial accidents.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.158-165
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• 2018

Objectives: We analyzed the problems that work environment measurement results don't lead to workplace improvement in the Work Environment Measurement System to propose an alternative. Methods: We reviewed reports and articles written by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency and academic circles to identify the problems in the current Work Environment Measurement System and suggest an alternative. Results: One of the reasons that the Work Environment Measurement has not resulted in workplace improvement is that there were no proper regulating systems for managing the workplace improvement plans or improvement results. Moreover, there are not enough professional manpower in ministry of labor to evaluate the improvement plans and results from the Work Environment Measurement. Therefore, all of the workplace whose Work Environment Measurement results exceed the occupational exposure limit (OEL) should be managed by regional ministry of labor, and outside experts and new system for verifying improvement are needed. Conclusions: To accomplish the purpose of Work Environment Measurement, it is necessary to improve the work environment according to the results of Work Environment Measure. For this, it is necessary for the government to manage the fulfillment of workplace improvement plans and for measurement agencies to secure expertise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.40-46
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• 2010

To protect press operator from the after-reach hazard, current Ministry of Labor Notification(MOLN) requires the use of a formula for calculating the safe distance away from the point of operation for locating press protective devices, Two Hand Control Devices(THCD) and Active Opto-Electronic Protective Devices(AOPD), on a power press. This formula is based on a same hand speed constant of 160cm/s. While EN standards use different hand speed constant for THCD and AOPD respectively. The objective of this study is to compare two guidelines on the hand speed constant published by MOLN and EN 692, also to propose a proper hand speed constant and validate it experimentally. As a experimental result, it could be known that hand speed constant of Ministry of Labor Notification should be improved as that of EN standards.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.109-115
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• 2009

The objective of this paper is to compare two national guidelines on the VDT work management published by Ministry of Labor(MOL) and Korean Standard(KS), and suggest possible modifications of them. The scope of this paper was limited to the desktop type of VDT jobs, excluding laptop environment. In addition, questionnaires were administered to office workers to collect information on the discomfort levels in meeting the MOL Notification. From ergonomic point of view, the most noticeable differences between two guidelines were found with respect to the heights of chairs and desks. In fact, the ranges specified in each guideline were not the same. In the field surveys, it could be known that work environments should be improved.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.263-267
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• 2015

Significant changes in the past year have taken place in the world of work that are bringing new challenges with regard to employee safety and health. These changes have led to emerging psychosocial risks (PSRs) at work. The risks are primarily linked to how work is designed, organized, and managed, and to the economic and social frame of work. These factors have increased the level of work-related stress and can lead to serious deterioration in mental and physical health. In tackling PSRs, the European labor inspectorates can have an important role by enforcing preventive and/or corrective interventions in the content and context of work. However, to improve working conditions, unilateral interventions in the context and content of work are insufficient and require adopting a common strategy to tackle PSRs, based on a holistic approach. The implementation of a common strategy by the European Labor Inspectorate for tackling PSRs is restricted by the lack of a common legislative frame with regard to PSR evaluation and management, the different levels of labor inspectors' training, and the different levels of employees' and employers' health and safety culture.

• Korean Architects
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• s.648
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• pp.119-121
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• 2023

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2013

Objectives: Numerous poisonous substances are used in paint manufacture, but there are differences in the results of GHS classification between the Ministry of Labor(MOL) and the Ministry of Environment(MOE). Therefore, paint manufacturers suffer confusion as to how to classify a given chemical's risk and hazard level. This paper was designed to compare the classification results of chemicals by the MOL and the MOE and suggest a harmonization measure. Methods: After selecting 25 poisonous substances from among the organic solvents, pigments, and additives used in paint manufacturer, the GHS classification results by MOL and MOE were compared. Further the logic and classification of the GHS proposed by each Ministry was analyzed. Based on the derived results, a harmonization plan was proposed. Results: Based on the GHS classification of the poisonous substances, the concordance is 10.0-66.6 %, excluded flammable liquid. The GHS classifications differed based on the suggested building blocks, the sub-classification method used, the references(data sources), and subjective judgment of the experts from each Ministry. In order to pursue the harmonization plan, cooperation is demanded from the MOL and MOE.