• Title/Summary/Keyword: Occupational Performance

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The effect of action-observational physical training based on mirror neuron system on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patient (유비쿼터스 환경에서의 거울신경세포시스템에 근간한 동작관찰-신체훈련 (뇌졸중 환자의 상지기능과 일상생활활동에 미치는 영향))

  • Ko, Hyo-Eun;Park, Jin-Ju;Lee, Kyung-Ju;Lee, Eun-Hee;Oh, Myung-Hwa
    • The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.123-130
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    • 2014
  • The aim of this study was to determine the effect of action observational physical training on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patient. 19 hemiparetic patients participated in this study and were randomly selected into an experimental group and a control group. An experimental group observed performance actions of purposeful activity task through a video and imitated actions with the traditional occupational therapy, and a control group only observed actions with the traditional occupational therapy. Traing was performed 3 times a week and 30 min for each round for 4 weeks. WMFT were performed for an upper extremity function and MBI were performed for activities of daily living. As a result, WMFT and MBI showed significant difference between before and after in two groups but didn't show significant difference between two groups.

Hazards Caused by UV Rays of Xenon Light Based High Performance Solar Simulators

  • Dibowski, Gerd;Esser, Kai
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.8 no.3
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    • pp.237-245
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    • 2017
  • Background: Solar furnaces are used worldwide to conduct experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of solar-chemical processes with the aid of concentrated sunlight, or to qualify high temperature-resistant components. In recent years, high-flux solar simulators (HFSSs) based on short-arc xenon lamps are more frequently used. The emitted spectrum is very similar to natural sunlight but with dangerous portions of ultraviolet light as well. Due to special benefits of solar simulators the increase of construction activity for HFSS can be observed worldwide. Hence, it is quite important to protect employees against serious injuries caused by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in a range of 100 nm to 400 nm. Methods: The UV measurements were made at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne and Paul-Scherrer-Institute (PSI), Switzerland, during normal operations of the HFSS, with a high-precision UV-A/B radiometer using different experiment setups at different power levels. Thus, the measurement results represent UV emissions which are typical when operating a HFSS. Therefore, the biological effects on people exposed to UVR was investigated systematically to identify the existing hazard potential. Results: It should be noted that the permissible workplace exposure limits for UV emissions significantly exceeded after a few seconds. One critical value was strongly exceeded by a factor of 770. Conclusion: The prevention of emissions must first and foremost be carried out by structural measures. Furthermore, unambiguous protocols have to be defined and compliance must be monitored. For short-term activities in the hazard area, measures for the protection of eyes and skin must be taken.

Effects of Spray Surfactant and Particle Charge on Respirable Coal Dust Capture

  • Tessum, Mei W.;Raynor, Peter C.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.8 no.3
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    • pp.296-305
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    • 2017
  • Background: Surfactant-containing water sprays are commonly used in coal mines to collect dust. This study investigates the dust collection performance of different surfactant types for a range of coal dust particle sizes and charges. Methods: Bituminous coal dust aerosol was generated in a wind tunnel. The charge of the aerosol was either left unaltered, charge-neutralized with a neutralizer, or positively- or negatively-charged using a diffusion charger after the particles were neutralized. An anionic, cationic, or nonionic surfactant spray or a plain water spray was used to remove the particles from the air flow. Some particles were captured while passing through spray section, whereas remaining particles were charge-separated using an electrostatic classifier. Particle size and concentration of the charge-separated particles were measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer. Measurements were made with the spray on and off to calculate overall collection efficiencies (integrated across all charge levels) and efficiencies of particles with specific charge levels. Results: The diameter of the tested coal dust aerosol was $0.89{\mu}m{\pm}1.45$ [geometric $mean{\pm}geometric$ standard deviations (SD)]. Respirable particle mass was collected with $75.5{\pm}5.9%$ ($mean{\pm}SD$) efficiency overall. Collection efficiency was correlated with particle size. Surfactant type significantly impacted collection efficiency: charged particle collection by nonionic surfactant sprays was greater than or equal to collection by other sprays, especially for weakly-charged aerosols. Particle charge strength was significantly correlated with collection efficiency. Conclusion: Surfactant type affects charged particle spray collection efficiency. Nonionic surfactant sprays performed well in coal dust capture in many of the tested conditions.

Emotional Labor and Job Stress of Public Health Nurses (보건간호사의 감정노동과 직무스트레스)

  • Han, Suk-Jung;Kwon, Myung-Soon;Yoon, Oh-Soon;Moon, Mi-Young
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.314-327
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    • 2012
  • Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the relationship between the level of emotional labor and job stress for public health nurses. Methods: The survey was conducted from Mar. to Oct. 2010 for collection of data from public health nurses (N=195). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, t-test, Tukey HSD, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used in performance of data analysis. Results: Results of this study indicate that as the nurses grow older, they receive a larger salary and their emotional labor is reduced. The results of this study also demonstrate that the emotional labor is highest when their total nursing job work duration and public health nurse work duration are between six and 10 years. There is a significant difference in job stress of the two age groups between occupational roles and personal strain. This means that job stress is highest in nurses who are in their thirties and low fifties. Emotional labor showed positive correlation with occupational roles and personal strain of job stress, but showed negative correlation with personal resources. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, we suggest development of interventions to reduce emotional labor and job stress, taking into account the characteristics of age.

An Analysis of Factors Related to Performing Health Management Tasks at Small and Mid Sized Enterprises (중소규모 사업장의 보건관리업무 수행관련 요인분석)

  • Ahn, Sei-Yon;Chung, Lucia;Son, Ji-Hwa;Ki, Yun-Ho;Kim, Yoon-Shin;Sim, Sang-Hyo
    • The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.97-108
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    • 2007
  • Background & Objectives: Health management is performed at enterprises under the Industrial Safety and Health Act. At small and mid sized enterprises, the reality is that health management is poorly performed due to the shortage of resources, professional knowledge, and administrative capabilities, as well as the lack of recognition by company presidents, and generation difference. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to Provide basic materials to complement the future health management model by researching the extent of performing health-related tasks at small and mid sized enterprises and analyzing the related factors. Methods: The survey subjects were 130 small and mid sized enterprises nationwide which had received health management support from the Korean government. The data were collected using a systematic questionnaire at the companies from September 2005 to November 2005. The respondents were the Personnel for healthcare tasks. Results: The results indicate that the extent of performing health management tasks at the companies was significantly different in the working environment and task management field in terms of industry types and in the fields of the establishment of an industrial health system as well as working environments and task management in terms of regions. Also, a multiple regression analysis was performed step-by-step in order to research the factors that affect the execution of health management tasks at small and mid sized enterprises.

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A Comparison of Cotton Dust Concentrations Measured by Three Dust Samplers (시료채취방법에 따른 면분진의 공기 중 농도 비교)

  • Phee, Young-Gyu;Kim, Hyun-Wook;Byeon, Sang-Hoon
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.35 no.5
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    • pp.386-392
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    • 2009
  • This study was undertaken to compare the performance of three dust samplers for collecting cotton dust fibers. For this study, three dust samplers including Vertical Elutriator (VE), Total Dust Method (TDM) using 37 mm cassette, and the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler were selected. A total of 6 cotton mills and 4 towel factories were investigated. When measured by VE, the GM for cotton dust was 0.19 $mg/m^3$ which was less than the current occupational exposure limit (OEL) 0.2 $mg/m^3$. But when measured by TDM and IOM at the same locations, the GMs were 0.37 and 0.63 $mg/m^3$, respectively. In Korea, most industrial hygienists have used the TDM for cotton dust measurements and the results were compared with either the TLV for cotton dust or the PNOC (particulates not otherwise classified) of 10 $mg/m^3$ for making decisions. The results of this study clearly showed that past cotton dust measurements and decisions made with such results were not correct. It needs to be noticed the related contents by using VE if it applies to the exposure limit, 0.2 $mg/m^3$, and needs to be revised the exposure limit by IOM. Also, if TDM is used, it requires to be studied and suggested to the new OEL.

A Study on Perceived Problems of and Improvement Measures for Asbestos Abatement Companies in Support of Related Policies (석면 해체 및 제거 업체가 느끼는 관련 제도의 문제점 및 개선방안에 관한 연구)

  • Chang, Jaepil;Rho, Youngman;Jung, Kihyo
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.28-38
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the perceived problems of and suggest improvement measures for asbestos abatement companies in support of asbestos-related systems and policies. Methods: For this study a questionnaire was prepared consisting of current work (two questions), the contribution and necessity of a risk assessment system for asbestos abatement (two questions), and problems with and improvement measures for systems and policies (nine questions). The questionnaires were sent to 2,170 asbestos abatement companies and were returned by 83 companies (return rate = 3.8%). We conducted frequency analysis, ANOVA, and a Chi-squared test at the 5% significance level. Results: Asbestos abatement companies expressed difficulties with complying with wet work (43% of unenrolled managers), negative pressure enclosure (36% of all respondents), and installation and use of decontamination units (26% of all respondents) as stipulated in the relevant regulations. In addition, 43% of the respondents expressed concerns that the expertise of the company was not considered during bidding for asbestos abatement and hoped that an advantage (e.g., bid point) would be given to the upper grades for asbestos risk assessment (38%). Asbestos abatement companies generally rented and used negative pressure devices (including negative pressure recording devices) and suggested that periodic calibration (32%) is needed to ensure the performance of the rented equipment. Finally, the respondents asked for clear definitions for three situations specified in the Occupational Safety and Health Acts: (1) temporarily leaving the asbestos abatement workplace; (2) tasks with less airborne asbestos; and (3) physically breaking or cutting using a machine. Conclusions: The problems and improvement measures identified in this study of asbestos abatement companies can be utilized as fundamental information for the improvement of the systems and policies for safe asbestos abatement.

Body Sway as a Possible Indicator of Fatigue in Clerical Workers

  • Volker, Ina;Kirchner, Christine;Bock, Otmar Leo;Wascher, Edmund
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.6 no.3
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    • pp.206-210
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    • 2015
  • Background: Fatigue has a strong impact on workers' performance and safety, but expedient methods for assessing fatigue on the job are not yet available. Studies discuss posturography as an indicator of fatigue, but further evidence for its use in the workplace is needed. The purpose of the study is to examine whether posturography is a suitable indicator of fatigue in clerical workers. Methods: Thirty-six employees (${\emptyset}$ 34.8 years, standard deviation = 12.5) participated in postural tasks (eyes open, eyes closed, arm swinging, and dual task) in the morning and afternoon. Position of their center of pressure (COP) was registered using a Nintendo Wii Balance Board and commercial software. From registered COP time series, we calculated the following parameters: path length (mm), velocity (mm/s), anterior-posterior variance (mm), mediolateral variance (mm), and confidence area ($mm^2$). These parameters were reduced to two orthogonal factors in a factor analysis with varimax rotation. Results: Statistical analysis of the first factor (path length and velocity) showed a significant effect of time of day: COP moved along a shorter path at a lower velocity in the afternoon compared with that in the morning. There also was a significant effect of task, but no significant interaction. Conclusion: Data suggest that postural stability of clerical workers was comparable in the morning and afternoon, but COP movement was greater in the morning. Within the framework of dynamic systems theory, this could indicate that the postural system explored the state space in more detail, and thus was more ready to respond to unexpected perturbations in the morning.

Improving Safety-Related Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Nurses Handling Cytotoxic Anticancer Drug: Pharmacists' Experience in a General Hospital, Malaysia

  • Keat, Chan Huan;Sooaid, Nor Suhada;Yun, Cheng Yi;Sriraman, Malathi
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.69-73
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    • 2013
  • Background: An increasing trend of cytotoxic drug use, mainly in cancer treatment, has increased the occupational exposure among the nurses. This study aimed to assess the change of nurses' safety-related knowledge as well as attitude levels and subsequently to assess the change of cytotoxic drug handling practices in wards after a series of pharmacist-based interventions. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study with a before and after design requested a single group of 96 nurses in 15 wards actively providing chemotherapy to answer a self-administered questionnaire. A performance checklist was then used to determine the compliance of all these wards with the recommended safety measures. The first and second assessments took 2 months respectively with a 9-month intervention period. Pharmacist-based interventions included a series of technical, educational and administrative support measures consisting of the initiation of closed-system cytotoxic drug reconstitution (CDR) services, courses, training workshops and guideline updates. Results: The mean age of nurses was $32.2{\pm}6.19$ years. Most of them were female (93.8%) and married (72.9%). The mean knowledge score of nurses was significantly increased from $45.5{\pm}10.52$ to $73.4{\pm}8.88$ out of 100 (p<0.001) at the end of the second assessment. Overall, the mean practice score among the wards was improved from $7.6{\pm}5.51$ to $15.3{\pm}2.55$ out of 20 (p<0.001). Conclusions: The pharmacist-based interventions improved the knowledge, attitude and safe practices of nurses in cytotoxic drug handling. Further assessment may help to confirm the sustainability of the improved practices.

A Qualitative Study on Job Satisfaction of Dental Hygienists with Low Experience

  • Park, Ji-Hyeon;Lim, Soon-Ryun
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.163-170
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    • 2020
  • Background: Job satisfaction of dental hygienists has been discussed continuously in dental hygiene research. It has been the most representative performance variable in dental and human resource management. However, in quantitative research, most of the studies have analyzed the causal relationship with variables related to dental hygienists' job satisfaction. The existing qualitative research contains only the studies that targeted dental hygienists with an experience of more than 10 years. The present study aimed to understand and to characterize the job satisfaction of dental hygienists with an experience of 2 to 10 years and to compare it with the qualitative research on dental hygienists with an experience of 10 or more years. Methods: An in-depth interview of dental hygienists with 2 to 10 years of experience working in 10 dental clinics was conducted. For data analysis, Giorgi's analysis method was used. Results: After analyzing the meaning of job satisfaction of dental hygienists, 180 semantic words and 19 subcategories were derived. The results of the interview were categorized into for central meanings: recognition and rewards, work experience and ability improvement, occupational characteristics, and work characteristics. Recognition and rewards included workplace recognition, patient recognition, self-effort and recognition, and the feeling of being rewarded. Work experience and ability improvement included various work experiences and factors relates to improving the work ability. Occupational characteristics included professional job, interest and persistence, job extensibility, and no burden of employment. Work characteristics included working conditions and separation of work and private life. Conclusion: The development of tools to measure the level of dental hygienists' job satisfaction after long-term service and to conduct follow-up research regarding ways and effects to improve job satisfaction is needed.