• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore relationship among pain, body image and satisfaction in hand-injured workers. Methods: Using a sample of 96 out-patient workers with hand injuries, pain, body image and satisfaction were measured by VAS and Modified Jung Keum-hee's Tennesee Self Concept Scale. Repeated measured ANOVA and a Bonferroni correction for multiple statistical testing during post hoc analyses were conducted to evaluate relationship among pain, body image and satisfaction in hand-injured workers. Result: Functional satisfaction(r=.46, p<.001) and appearance satisfaction(r=.55, p<.001) significantly increased by treatment satisfaction. Functional satisfaction(r=.35, p=.001) and appearance satisfaction(r=.31, p=.002) increased by body image. But treatment satisfaction(r=-.20, p=.049), functional satisfaction (r=-.34, p=.001) and appearance satisfaction (r=-.39, p<.001) significantly decreased by pain. Conclusion: Poor pain management was related to bad body image and treatment satisfaction. Therefore, interventions targeting at pain management are needed for hand-injured workers.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2018

A case of surgically treated intervertebral disc extrusion with intraoperatively confirmed intradiscal hematoma in a 30-year-old physical trainer is presented. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed downward migrating disc herniation, without definite suggestive findings of intradiscal hematoma. Intervertebral disc herniation with concomitant intradiscal hematoma is extremely rare, but could occur in patients who have excessive axial stress to the spine occupationally. In our case, the patient was an occupational physical trainer who had repetitive minor trauma to the lumbar spine. Although the patient did not have any clear history of major trauma to the spine, the intraoperative findings revealed intradiscal hematoma, which is very rare. The presence of intradiscal hematoma is to be suspected even when preoperative imaging studies shows indefinite findings of hematoma, considering the change in signal intensity of hematoma by time.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2003

This study was carried out to help the comprehensive rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries by measuring propulsion force and endurance exerted on wheelchair handrims, and predicting the differences among three different rear axle positions. The BTE (Baltimore Therapeutic Exerciser) work simulator was used on 9 paraplegia to test the force and endurance during wheelchair propulsion. The 141 large wheel of the BTE work simulator and a standard wheelchair with removed handrims were used for simulating wheelchair propulsion. The neurological and demographical characteristics of the patients were collected by personal interviews and direct examinations. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare force and endurance among the groups. The strongest maximum isometric strength was produced when the rear axle of the wheelchair and the acromion process were on the same coronal plane. Although there were no significant differences statistically, moving the rear axle forward did result in greater isotonic strength. The research suggests that better functional activity of persons with paraplegia is possible when the rear axle of the wheelchair is appropriately adjusted.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 2022

Background: Traffic injuries have become a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. Several studies have examined the role of personality and attitude toward traffic safety in predicting driving behaviors in diverse types of drivers. Few studies have investigated risky behavior among public passenger van drivers. This study aims to identify the predictors of self-reported risky driving behavior among public van drivers. Method: A total of 410 public van drivers were interviewed at terminal stations in Bangkok. Hierarchical regression models were applied to determine the effects of demographics, personality traits, and attitude on self-reported risky driving behaviors. Results: The results indicated that drivers with a high education level, more working days, and high scores for normlessness and anger were more likely to report risky driving behaviors (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The personality traits and attitude toward speeding account for aberrant self-reported risky driving behavior in passenger van drivers. This could be another empirical basis for evidence-based road safety interventions in the context of public transport.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.390-397
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• 2023

Introduction: Biological risks are a major global problem in the workplace. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the biological risks at work. This study presents data on both communicable infectious biological agents and noncommunicable factors leading to death and disability for the year 2021. Methods: We followed the methodology established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in their past global estimates on occupational accidents and work-related diseases. We used relevant ILO estimates for hazardous substances and related population attributable fractions derived from literature, which were then applied to World Health Organization mortality data. The communicable diseases included in the estimates were tuberculosis, pneumococcal diseases, malaria, diarrheal diseases, other infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, influenza associated respiratory diseases and COVID-19. Noncommunicable diseases and injuries considered were Chronic Obstructive Diseases (COPD) due to organic dusts, asthma, allergic reactions and risks related to animal contact. We estimated death attributable to biological risk at work and disability in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Results: We estimated that in 2022, 550,819 deaths were caused by biological risk factors, with 476,000 deaths attributed to communicable infectious diseases and 74,000 deaths caused by noncommunicable factors. Among these, there were 223,650 deaths attributed to COVID-19 at work. We calculated the rate of 584 DALYs per 100,000 workers, representing an 11% increase from the previous estimate of the global burden of work-related disabilities measured by DALYs. Conclusion: This is a first update since previous 2007 ILO estimates, which has now increased by 74% and covers most biological risks factors. However, it is important to note that there may be other diseases and deaths are missing from the data, which need to be included when new information becomes available. It is also worth mentioning that while deaths caused by major communicable diseases including COVID-19 are relatively rare within the working population, absences from work due to these diseases are likely to be very common within the active workforce.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Objectives: In establishing policies for agricultural safety, evaluating injury burdens as well as investigating the rates and characteristics of work injury is important. This study investigated the types and characteristics of agricultural injury subjective burdens. Methods: By analyzing the injured farmers identified in the 2013 Korean Farmers' Occupational Injury Survey, the burdens caused by injuries were categorized using one direct cost item (medical costs) and five indirect cost items (including productivity decreases and wage increases). Statistical differences among the burden items were analyzed using logistic regression analysis according to the characteristics of the farmers and their farm injuries. Results: Among the subjective burdens indicated by the 457 injured farmers, disruption to work was most common. The major influences on each subjective burden item are as follows: for the item of disruption to work, age, time of injury occurrence, treatment period, and farming machine use were influential; for an increased family member's burden of farm works, the number of family members and treatment period were influential. Regarding cost burden of treatment, the results varied according to whether or not the patient was hospitalized and annual income. Conclusion: Subjective burdens induced by indirect costs rather than those induced by direct costs were found to be higher in ratio. In regard to each burden item, the results varied according to the characteristics of the farmers and their farm injuries. To support injured farmer, setting goals to reduce indirect cost burdens and preparing concrete methods is necessary.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2014

Occupational fatal injury rate per 10,000 population of Korea is still higher among the OECD member countries. To prevent fatal injuries, the causes of accidents including human error should be analyzed and then appropriate countermeasures should be established. There was an severe converter furnace accident resulting in five people death by chocking in 2013. Although the accident type of the furnace accident was suffocation, many safety problems were included before reaching the death of suffocation. If the safety problems are reviewed throughly, the alternative measures based on the review would be very useful in preventing similar accidents. In this study, we investigated the converter furnace accident by using human error analysis and accident scenario analysis. As a result, it was found that the accident was caused by some human errors, inappropriate task sequence and lack of control in coordinating work by several subordinating companies. From the review of this case, the followings are suggested: First, systematic human error analysis should be included in the investigation of fatal injury accidents. Second, multi man-machine accident scenario analyis is useful in most of coordinating work. Third, the more provision of information on system state will lessen human errors. Fourth, the coordinating control in safety should be performed in the work conducting by several different companies.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2017

Background: Pelvic ring fractures (PRFs) may influence the daily activities and quality of life of the injured. The aim of this retrospective study was to explore the functional outcomes and factors related to return to work (RTW) after PRF. Methods: During the years 2003-2012, 282 injured individuals aged 20-55 years on the date of the accident, were hospitalized and treated for PRFs in a large tertiary hospital in Athens, Greece. One hundred and three patients were traced and contacted; 77 who were on paid employment prior to the accident gave their informed consent to participate in the survey, which was conducted in early 2015 through telephone interviews. The questionnaire included variables related to injury, treatment and activities, and the Majeed pelvic score. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were used for statistical assessment. Results: Almost half of the injured (46.7%) fully RTW, and earning losses were reported to be 35% after PRF. The univariate analysis confirmed that RTW was significantly related to accident site (labor or not), the magnitude of the accident's force, concomitant injuries, duration of hospitalization, time to RTW, engagement to the same sport, Majeed score, and complications such as limp and pain as well as urologic and sexual complaints (p < 0.05 for all). On multiple logistic regression analysis, the accident sustained out of work (odds ratio: 6.472, 95% confidence interval: 1.626-25.769) and Majeed score (odds ratio: 3.749, 95% confidence interval: 2.092-6.720) were identified as independent predictive factors of full RTW. Conclusion: PRFs have severe socioeconomic consequences. Possible predictors of RTW should be taken into account for health management and policies.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.445-451
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• 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of accidents with biological material, the level of knowledge, and compliance to standard precautions (SPs) among dentists, physicians, nurses, and dental and medical students. Methods: A closed cohort study with a prospective and retrospective component was conducted between August 2014 and September 2015. The participants were contacted in two moments during the follow-up period, during which a structured questionnaire divided into six sections was used; the interviews were conducted during the follow-up period (Month 6) and at the end of the observation period (Month 12). Results: The global prevalence of accidents in the previous 12 months was 10.2%, with a difference between professionals and students (13.0% vs. 5.1%, respectively; p < 0.003). The incidence rate was 6.49 per 100 person/year, with difference between the groups (6.09 per 100 person/year in professionals and 7.26 per 100 person/year in students), type of specialization (hazard ratio, 3.27), and hours worked per week (hazard ratio, 2.27). The mean of compliance to SP was 31.99 (±3.85) points, with a median of 33 (30, 35) points against the expected 27.75 points. Adherence to SP was associated with the accident report (p < 0.020). Conclusion: We conclude that the proportion/incidence rate of accidents with biological material was high in relation to that in the literature, being higher in professionals and especially among physicians. The levels of knowledge and adherence to SP were good, with the best found in dentists and dental students.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2013

Background: The aim of this study was to assess public and private medical diagnostic laboratories in Nigeria for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and measures. Methods: A total of 80 diagnostic laboratories in biosafety level 3 were assessed for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and compliance rate with biosafety practices. A detailed questionnaire and checklist was used to obtain the relevant information from enlisted laboratories. Results: The results showed the presence of an isolated unit for microbiological work, leak-proof working benches, self-closing doors, emergency exits, fire extinguisher(s), autoclaves, and hand washing sinks in 21.3%, 71.3%, 15.0%, 1.3%, 11.3%, 82.5%, and 67.5%, respectively, of all laboratories surveyed. It was observed that public diagnostic laboratories were significantly more likely to have an isolated unit for microbiological work (p = 0.001), hand washing sink (p = 0.003), and an autoclave ($p{\leq}0.001$) than private ones. Routine use of hand gloves, biosafety cabinet, and a first aid box was observed in 35.0%, 20.0%, and 2.5%, respectively, of all laboratories examined. Written standard operating procedures, biosafety manuals, and biohazard signs on door entrances were observed in 6.3%, 1.3%, and 3.8%, respectively, of all audited laboratories. No biosafety officer(s) or records of previous spills, or injuries and accidents, were observed in all diagnostic laboratories studied. Conclusion: In all laboratories (public and private) surveyed, marked deficiencies were observed in the area of administrative control responsible for implementing biosafety. Increased emphasis on provision of biosafety devices and compliance with standard codes of practices issued by relevant authorities is strongly advocated.