• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.160-165
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• 2013

Background: Occupational accidents are unplanned events that cause damage. The socio-economic impacts and human costs of accidents are tremendous around the world. Many fatalities happen every year in workplaces such as electricity distribution companies. Some electrical injuries are electrocution, electric shock, and burns. This study was conducted in an electricity distribution company (with rotational 12-hour shift work) in Iran during an 8-year period to survey descriptive factors of injuries. Methods: Variables collected included accident time, age of injured worker, employment type, work experience, injury cause, educational background, and other information about accidents. Results: Results indicated that most of the accidents occurred in summer, and 51.3% were during shift work. Worker negligence (malpractice) was the cause of 75% of deaths. Type of employment had a significant relationship with type of injuries (p < 0.05). Most injuries were electrical burns. Conclusion: High rate of accidents in summer may be due to the warm weather or insufficient professional skills in seasonal workers. Shift workers are at risk of sleep complaints leading to a high rate of work injuries. Acquiring knowledge about safety was related to job experiences. Temporary workers have no chance to work all year like permanent workers, therefore impressive experiences may be less in them. Because the lack of protective equipment and negligence are main causes of accidents, periodical inspections in workshops are necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.104-115
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• 2017

Background: C-arm fluoroscopy equipment is important for interventional pain management and can cause radiation injury to physicians and patients. We compared radiation safety education and efforts to reduce the radiation exposure of pain specialists. Methods: A survey of 49 pain specialists was conducted anonymously in 2016. The questionnaire had 16 questions. That questionnaire was about radiation safety knowledge and efforts to reduce exposure. We investigated the correlation between radiation safety education and efforts of radiation protection. We compared the results from 2016 and a published survey from 2011. Results: According to the 2016 survey, all respondents used C-arm fluoroscopy in pain interventions. Nineteen respondents (39%) had received radiation safety education. Physicians had insufficient knowledge about radiation safety. When the radiation safety education group and the non-education group are compared, there was no significant difference in efforts to reduce radiation exposure and radiation safety knowledge. When the 2011 and 2016 surveys were compared, the use of low dose mode (P = 0.000) and pulsed mode had increased significantly (P = 0.001). The number checking for damage to radiation protective garments (P = 0.000) and use of the dosimeter had also increased significantly (P = 0.009). But there was no significant difference in other efforts to reduce radiation exposure. Conclusions: Pain physicians seem to lack knowledge of radiation safety and the number of physicians receiving radiation safety education is low. According to this study, education does not lead to practice. Therefore, pain physicians should receive regular radiation safety education and the education should be mandatory.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.291-294
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• 2006

Corrosion is never avoided in the use rf materials with various environments. The underwater hull is normally protected against rusting by several coatings of anti-corrosive paint. The purpose of ICCP(Impressed Current Cathodic Protection) system is to eliminate the rusting or corrosion, which occurs on metal immersed in seawater. This thesis is about the ICCP control and monitoring system, which brings protection against the corrosion of the ship's hull in the sea environments. The test system for ICCP is composed of a power supply, anode, reference electrode and controller. The test system is composed power supply, anode, ref electrode, shunt and etc. The protection current is sent to the protection area though anode. Reference electrode senses whether or not the detected potential is within a range of protection of test equipment and then it is automatically controlled to increase or decrease the amount of protective current to be sent to the anode by controller. The monitoring system with LabView is also detected in order to check the normal state of the system at operation period, because an operator does not always watch over this system and thus the system cannot operate well because rf his or her negligent management. This paper was studied the variation of potential and current density with environment factors, velocity and time, and the experimental results will be explained Also, It is suggested that this system can accommodate a ship's automation for SCMS(Ship Control and Management System) and will be very useful.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.407-412
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• 2020

This study investigated the technological development of Korean functional product design for posture correction. We analyzed registered and disclosed Korean patents (n=289) of KIPRIS. They were posture correction technology patents filed from 1999 to 2018. Keywords used in patent selection were posture correction, posture correction clothing, posture correction band, rehabilitation clothing, joint protection, protective equipment, and compression wear. These were then analyzed by patent application year, product type, effect pursued, and posture correction body part. The results showed that patent applications related to posture correction technology have increased since 2014. Products subject to patents for posture correction technology were device/brace (59.5%), footwear (22.5%), and clothing (18.0%). Patents for posture correction pursued various wearing effects. The effects pursued were dependent on the product type. The device/brace focused on joint protection (76.7%) and muscle reinforcement (40.7%). Footwear was focused on joint protection (90.8%). The clothes were focused on muscle reinforcement (50.0%) and body shaping (36.5%). The clothing and device/brace for posture correction were worn on various body parts of the upper limbs to feet. The posture correction product design patent was to correct various body parts. Patents pursuing upper body correction focused on spine posture correction (n=99). Patents for foot posture correction have steadily increased (n=102). Patents for posture correction of the pelvis and hip joints were relatively few (n=46). The results of this study implied the necessity to develop technology to correct posture by combining the functions of device/brace and clothing.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

Background: This study determined current status of laboratory biosafety in Nigerian veterinary research facilities. Methods: A questionnaire was developed to obtain information from researchers across Nigeria from July 2014 to July 2015. Information regarding demographics, knowledge of laboratory biosafety, availability and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), any priority pathogens researched, attitude on and use of standard laboratory practices, and biosafety awareness was obtained using a numeric scoring system. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 74 participants from 19 facilities completed the questionnaire. General knowledge scores ranged from 3 to 28 (out of 28 possible points), with 94.6% of respondents receiving low scores (scores < mean + 1 standard deviation). Very few (17.6%) reported availability or use PPE. Many participants (63.5%) reported no access to biosafety level (BSL)-1-3 facilities. None reported availability of a BSL-4 facility. Knowledge scores pertaining to biosafety management practices ranged from 0 to 14 (out of 14 possible points) with 47.3% of respondents receiving good scores (scores > mean + 1 standard deviation). Only 16.2% of respondents (from four facilities) reported having biosafety officers. Rabies virus was the most researched pathogen (31.1% of respondents). The majority (71.6%) were unaware of laws guiding biosafety. Researchers [odds ratio (OR) = 18.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63, 198.5; p = 0.023], especially in BSL-2 (OR = 258.5; 95% CI: 12.71, 5256; p < 0.001) facility of research institute (OR = 25.0; 95% CI: 5.18, 120.6; p < 0.001), are more likely to have adequate access to and properly utilize biosafety devices and PPE. Conclusions: Current knowledge of laboratory biosafety is limited except among a few researchers.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.87-96
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• 2020

This study examined the hygiene management of ultrasound probes by examining the cleaning tools for hygiene management of ultrasound probes, the presence or absence of wearing glove as a personal protective equipment, and the awareness of ultrasound probe hygiene. Parts 154 questionnaire about people working in the ultrasound room were surveyed and analyzed. The single gel removal tool of the ultrasound probe was most frequently used with a 48.7% cotton towel, and for double gel removal tools, the first gel removal tool was 42.4% cotton towel and the second gel removal tool was used with 57.6% wet tissue. Antimicrobial wipes were the most commonly used drug and instrument used in ultrasound hygiene management at 58.4%. According to the survey of the presence or absence of wearing glove during ultrasound examination, 46.8% were found to be unworn. When examining the intracavity ultrasound, 30.9% of those who do not wear glove and 61.0% of hygiene awareness of ultrasound probes are 'normal'. According to age, ultrasound probe gel removal tool was not significant difference(p>0.05). According to the working organization and the working department, it was significant difference to wearing gloves during ultrasound examination(p<0.05). Therefore, in order to properly sanitize the ultrasound probe, it is considered that a guideline for hygiene management of the ultrasound probe that fits the situation in Korea is necessary, and it is considered that thorough hygiene management training for inspector is necessary for efficient hygiene management of the ultrasound probe.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.71-77
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• 2020

This study aims to explain the process of providing important medical images for the diagnosis of pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through the only mobile hospital computed tomography (CT) in Korea. Since January 28, 2020, medical imaging examinations have been provided to confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients, and the quality of images was evaluated based on the objective and subjective indicators. In order to prevent the transmission in the hospital that may occur due to exposure to medical staff and general patients, personal protective equipment was worn and the separate route was used blocking human infection factors. For 11 weeks, a total of 185 tests were performed for 98 confirmed patients and 72 suspected patients. The average time to complete the test was 33 minutes. In the course of the test, no cross-infection cases were examined. During the outbreak of the COVID-19, the only mobile hospital CT room of Korea provided medical imaging examinations without infection among medical staff and patients and also provided adequate medical images without significant difference (p >0.05) in determining the degree of pneumonia progression compared to a stationary in-hospital CT.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.46-53
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• 2007

Extension of the mobile communication and the rapidly developing services connected with wireless multimedia(W-CDMA, DMB, Wibro, and so on) need great many base station transceiver systems, antennas, and many signal transmission line to embody these services. The min communication appliances system is exposed always in danger of transient overvoltage by direct stroke or induced lightning surge flowing in through antenna because the antenna of base station transceiver system or relay equipment is combined with expensive communication network equipments through signal transmission line. Now, gas discharge tube(GDT) or narrow band stub arrestor which is used by the surge protector for communication use is exposing limitations as for lightning surge protective means of the communication facility with high speed and wide frequency band. Therefore, for improving performance of surge arrestor, we applied ceramic filter which can reduce lightning surge invading from antenna effectively, and proved that ceramic filter is effective in residual voltage reduction through the experimental research.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.72-77
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• 2016

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors related to needle stick injuries (NSIs) and to assess related safety measures among a sample of Iranian nurses. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of 168 registered active nurses was selected from different wards of one of the hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). Data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire and a checklist based observational method among the 168 registered active nurses. Results: The prevalence of NSIs in the total of work experience and the last year was 76% and 54%, respectively. Hollow-bore needles were the most common devices involved in the injuries (85.5%). The majority of NSIs occurred in the morning shift (57.8%) and the most common activity leading to NSIs was recapping needles (41.4%). The rate of underreporting NSIs was 60.2% and the major reasons for not reporting the NSIs were heavy clinical schedule (46.7%) and perception of low risk of infection (37.7%). A statistically significant relationship was found between the occurrence of NSIs and sex, hours worked/week, and frequency of shifts/month. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of NSIs among nurses. Supportive measures such as improving injection practices, modification of working schedule, planning training programs targeted at using personal protective equipment, and providing an adequate number of safety facilities such as puncture resistant disposal containers and engineered safe devices are essential for the effective prevention of NSI incidents among the studied nurses.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.23-37
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• 2017

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the level of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among workers handling rust preventive oils. Methods : A total of 30 bulk samples and 54 personal air samples were collected using diffusive samplers at 22 workplaces handling rust preventive oils in Daegu and Gyongsangbuk-do Province from March to October 2013. We also investigated detailed information on the related work conditions, such as kinds of products, handling methods, local exhaustive ventilation systems, and the status of the wearing personal protective equipment. All bulk samples and air samples were analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify components to which workers potentially were exposed. Quantitative airborne concentrations of VOCs were confirmed using gas chromatography with flame ionized detectors. Results : In terms of qualitative analyses for the 30 bulk samples, we found carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive toxic(CMR) substances such as butane(carcinogenic Group 1A, mutagenic Group 1B), butoxy ethanol(carcinogenic Group 2), cumene (carcinogenic Group 2), ethyl benzene(carcinogenic Group 2), methyl isobutyl ketone(carcinogenic Group 2) and toluene (reproductive toxic, Group 2). As a result of full-shift based personal air samples, eight substances such as n-hexane, n-heptane, octane, nonane, decane, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene were detected. Among them, n-hexane and n-heptane were detected in all of 54 air samples with $13.13mg/m^3$ and $8.61mg/m^3$ of maximum concentration, respectively. The level of airborne concentration from all of samples were bellow the occupational exposure limit in Korea. Conclusions : Based on the results of this study, workers handling rust preventive oils could be exposed to CMR substances contained in rust preventive oils and n-hexane and n-heptane were found as the most frequent sources of VOC exposure.