• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.187-192
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• 2020

In the past 20 years, accidents in the construction industry have declined in absolute numbers. On the other hand, disasters occurring at small and medium-sized construction sites account for more than 80% of the entire construction industry and are showing a continuous increase. A system for preparing a safety and health register in stages was enacted to preemptively prevent accidents by mandating responsibility for safety to owners with relatively strong authority in the construction industry. Considerable is needed to become an effective legal system. Although there have been many studies related to safety management plans and hazard prevention plans, there are no studies on the safety and health register. Therefore, in this study, an improved safety management procedure connected with the orderer's safety and health management procedure was presented as a plan for reducing accidents at small and medium-sized construction sites. All information was made as a data-based procedure to reduce the burden on the manager. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data for the development of a safety management support information system for small and medium-sized construction sites.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.388-397
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• 2018

Background: The study analyzes penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. The research questions are as follows: what are the commonly breached safety and health regulations? How proportional are penalties imposed on organizations for breaching health and safety regulations in the United Kingdom? Methods: The study employed sequential explanatory mixed research strategies for better understanding of health and safety penalties imposed on organizations. Actual health and safety convictions and penalties data for 10 years (2006 to 2016) were obtained through the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) public register for convictions. Overall, 2,217 health and safety cases were analyzed amounting to total fines of £37,179,916, in addition to other wide-ranging penalties. For thorough understanding, eight interviews were conducted with industry practitioners, lawyers, and HSE officials as part of the study qualitative data. Results: Findings show that the Health and Safety at Work (HSW) Act accounted for 46% of all HSE prosecution cases in the last decade. This is nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions. Moreover, there is widespread desire for organizations to comply with the HSW Act, but route fines are seen as burdensome and inimical to business growth. Conclusion: A key deduction from the study reveal significant disproportionality concerning penalties imposed on organizations for breaching safety and health regulations. On aggregate, small companies tend to pay more for health and safety offenses in a ratio of 1:2 compared to large companies. The study also reveals that the HSW Act accounted for nearly half of the total safety and health at work prosecutions in the last decade.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.291-300
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• 2020

Background: The study aimed to determine the association of individual cognitive ability in late midlife with labor market participation among older workers. Methods: This prospective cohort study estimates the risk of long-term sickness absence, disability pension, early retirement, and unemployment from scores on the Intelligenz-Struktur-Test 2000R by combining data from 5076 workers from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank with a register on social transfer payments. Analyses were stepwise adjusted for age, gender, physical and psychosocial work environment, health behaviors, occupational social class, education, and chronic diseases. Results: In the fully adjusted model, low cognitive ability (≥1 standard deviation below the mean for each gender) and high cognitive ability (≥1 standard deviation above the mean for each gender) were not associated with risk of any of the four labor market outcomes. Conclusion: Individual cognitive ability in late midlife was not associated with risk of long-term sickness absence, disability pension, early retirement, and unemployment in the fully adjusted model. Thus, no direct effect of individual cognitive ability in late midlife was observed on the risk of permanently or temporarily leaving the labor market.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.272-281
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• 2022

Background: The constant consumption of chemical products owing to expanding industrialization has led to an increase in public interest in chemical substances. As the production and disposal processes for these chemical products cause environmental problems, regional information on the hazard level of chemical substances is required considering their effects on humans and in order to ensure environmental safety. Objectives: This study aimed to identify hazard contribution and spatiotemporal characteristics by region and chemical by calculating a hazard-based result score using pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) data. Methods: This study calculated the chemical discharge and hazard-based result score from the Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) model, analyzed their spatiotemporal patterns, and identified hotspot areas where chemical discharges and high hazard-based scores were concentrated. The amount of chemical discharge and hazard-based risk scores for 250 cities and counties across South Korea were calculated using PRTR data from 2011 to 2018. Results: The chemical discharge (high densities in Incheon, Daegu, and Busan) and hazard-based result scores (high densities in Incheon, Chungcheongnam-do, and some areas of Gyeongsangnam-do Province) showed varying spatial patterns. The chemical discharge (A, B) and hazard-based result score (C, D) hotspots were identified. Additionally, identification of the hazard-based result scores revealed differences in the type of chemicals contributing to the discharge. Ethylbenzene accounted for ≥80% of the discharged chemicals in the discharge hotspots, while chromium accounted for >90% of the discharged chemicals in the hazard-based result score hotspots. Conclusions: The RSEI hazard-based result score is a quantitative indicator that considers the degree of impact on human health as a toxicity-weighted value. It can be used for the management of industries discharging chemical substances as well as local environmental health management.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.277-286
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• 2014

Purpose: In this study, I am going to figure out Korean workers' actual exposure to risk factors and percentage of the workers who complain of health problems by performing a comparative analysis of the characteristics of the workers and working conditions in Korea and EU. Methods: The data used in this study includes the $1^{st}$ working conditions survey conducted in 2006 in Korea, the $2^{nd}$ working conditions survey in 2010, the $4^{th}$ EU working conditions survey, and the $5^{th}$ EU working conditions survey. I have compared the changes to Korean working conditions and those to EU working conditions in the categories of demographic characteristics, quality of labor, exposure to risk factors, and health problems included in the data. Results: The analysis of the characteristics of the demographic characters of Korean workers shows that aged and female workers register increased labor force participation. The analysis of labor quality shows that Korea has a long working time but with a lower work intensity compared to the countries included in EU working conditions survey. As for risk factors, Korea registers a low level of exposure as compared to countries included in EU working conditions survey and characteristically shows a decreasing exposure to tobacco smoke. The survey shows sharply increasing complaints of muscle pain in the upper and lower limbs. Conclusion: In this study, I have identified vulnerable social groups by using quantified values in a comparison of the working conditions of Korea and those of EU.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.465-473
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• 2019

Objectives: A variety of industries handling hazardous chemicals emit odorous substances. Based on the emission characteristics of major odor substances from the results of hazardous chemical substance emissions, we will define basic data for improving the management methods of odorous substances. Methods: A survey of hazardous pollutant emissions for 2010-2016 was conducted through the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register homepage. Eight kinds of designated odor substances (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, acetaldehyde, styrene, toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone) provided the study subjects. The status of chemical accidents for the target substances was analyzed using the Chemistry Safety Clearing-house system. Results: From 2010 to 2016, it was found that more than 30% of businesses that emitted odorous substances accounted for more than 50% of the total emissions of the eight substances. Emissions of xylene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, and ammonia were found, in that order, and they made up more than 90% of the total emitted. By region, about 70% of odorous substances were emitted in the top-four regions: Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Ulsan, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Jeollanam-do Province. Conclusion: Recently, the amount of chemical emissions has been continuously increasing, including those that can cause odor. Odorous substances can be a serious risk to the lives of local residents. Systematic research is needed for the health protection of residents.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes among the nine kinds of reduction chemical substances in Korea over the period of 2008-2017. We will define basic data for improving the management methods for reducing chemical substances. Methods: A survey of hazardous pollutant emissions for 2008-2017 was conducted through the pollutant Release and Transfer Register homepage. Nine kinds of designated reduction chemical substances (Benzene, Vinyl chloride, Trichloro ethylene, 1,3-butadiene, Dichloro methane, Tetrachloro ethylene, N,N-dimethylformamide, Acrylo nitrile, and Chloroform) provided the study subjects. The emission of hazardous chemicals and health effects used the National Health Statistics and Integrated Chemicals Information System (ICIS) as a reference. Results: Hazardous pollutant emissions increased by 1.2 times over the past decade, and nine types of reduction chemical substances increased by 1.6 times. By region, the emissions of reduction chemical substances over the last 10 years were in the order of Chungbuk, Gyeonggi, and Gyeongbuk. Emissions of Dichloro methane was the highest in Chungbuk and Gyeongbuk. N,N-dimethylformamide was the highest in Gyeonggi. Carcinogen pollutant emissions showed a tendency to increase continuously. In addition, group 1 carcinogen emissions showed a tendency to decrease. Conclusion: In the last decade, the amount of hazardous chemical emissions has been continuously increasing. Hazardous chemical emissions require facility improvement for continuous emissions reduction. More research on reduction of emissions is needed.

• The Safety technology
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• no.36
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• pp.8-11
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• 2000

최근(2000. 11월)미국에서는 근골격계 장애(MSDs ; Musculoskeletal disorfers)를 방지하기 위해 직업안전보건청 (OSHA : Occupational Safety and Health Administration)에서는 인간공학 프로그램표준(Ergonomis program standard)을 규정화하기 위해 관보(Federal Register)에 게시하는 등 법제화 추진이 이루어지고 있으며, 또한 이것이 기업체 단체에서는 규정화 무효를 위한 연방법정 소송이 전개되고 있으며 노동단체에서는 우호적 입장을 보이고 있는 등의 내용이 미국 언론 및 해외 통신(NY Times, LA Times, Washington Times, Wall ST Journal, AFP)에 보도되고 있다. 이미 미국의 반도체 기업에서는 반도체 제조설비의 인간공학을 위한 안전 지침을 정하고 있는 등 인간공학 표준화가 이루어지고 있어 그에 대한 동향을 살펴보고, 이러한 인간공학 프로그램 표준에 대해 자세한 내용을 게제할 계획이다. 금번 호에서는 그 동향과 인간공학 프로그램 표준의 필요성과 그 목적 등의 개요를 싣고 계속해서 구체적인 내용을 소개해 나갈 계획이다.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.515-523
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• 2018

Objectives: Based on the results of a chemical substance emissions survey, we investigated characteristics of chemical emissions in industrial complexes and used them as basic data for chemical management. Methods: The emissions and characteristics of chemicals by major industrial complexes from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed using the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register homepage. To understand the status of chemical accidents for major chemicals emitted from the industrial complexes, the Chemistry Safety Clearing-house system of the National Institute of Chemical Safety was used. Results: Emissions from the top five industrial complexes accounted for about 30% of total chemical emissions. The chemical emission was the highest in the order of Ulsan Mipo Industrial Complex and Okpo Industrial Complex. The main chemicals emitted were xylene, ethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, toluene, dichloromethane, and others. Carcinogen emissions differed by industrial complex, but ethylbenzene and dichloromethane were the major chemicals for this type of emissions. Conclusion: Recently, the use and emission of chemicals have been continuously increasing. A chemical management plan should be prepared considering the characteristics of industrial complexes and chemical substance emissions.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2003

Biotechnology is certainly one of the major landmarks in the 20th century history of science. It may produce enormous utility to human beings, but at the same time, it carries huge potential risks to the environment and public health. Thus, with a view to securing safety for the environment and public health in relation to the development and use of living modified organisms (LMOs), the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was adopted, in which a regulation Procedure as to the transboundary movements, transportation, handling, and use of LMOs were drawn up. In order to prepare for the entry into force of the Protocol, the Republic of Korea legislated the "Act on the Transboundary Movements of living modified organisms(hereinafter referred as the 'Act')" in Mar 2001, and has pre-announced the enactments of the enforcement ordinance and the enforcement regulation to the Act. Pursuant to the Act, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, as a Competent National Authority, is making efforts to implement domestic biosafety schemes in cooperation with other bio-related government ministries. In order for these efforts to reap fruits, industry, academia, and research institutions should cooperate with one another, and civic groups and NGOs should narrow the differences in opinions and timely respond to the fast-changing situations. Focusing on the precautionary principle, the Protocol puts a great emphasis on the importance of information sharing amongst countries, and the Act also follows this principle. In order to gurantee biosafety, countries around the world, including the ROK, agreed to establish National Biosafety Clearing, designed to provide the information on the export/import of LMOs, R'||'&'||'Ds, risk assessment, safety control, etc. and register it on the CBD Central Biosafety Clearing House.e.