• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.658-670
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the predictors of blood and body fluid exposure (BBFE) in multifaceted individual (sleep disturbance and fatigue), occupational (occupational stress), and organizational (hospital safety climate) factors, as well as infection prevention behavior. We also aimed to test the mediating effect of infection prevention behavior in relation to multifaceted factors and the frequency of BBFE. Methods: This study was based on a secondary data analysis, using data of 246 nurses from the Shift Work Nurses' Health and Turnover study. Based on the characteristics of zero-inflated and over-dispersed count data of frequencies of BBFE, the data were analyzed to calculate zero-inflated negative binomial regression within a generalized linear model and to test the mediating effect using SPSS 25.0, Stata 14.1, and PROCESS macro. Results: We found that the frequency of BBFE increased in subjects with disturbed sleep (IRR = 1.87, p = .049), and the probability of non-BBFE increased in subjects showing higher infection prevention behavior (IRR = 15.05, p = .006) and a hospital safety climate (IRR = 28.46, p = .018). We also found that infection prevention behavior had mediating effects on the occupational stress-BBFE and hospital safety climate-BBFE relationships. Conclusion: Sleep disturbance is an important risk factor related to frequency of BBFE, whereas preventive factors are infection prevention behavior and hospital safety climate. We suggest individual and systemic efforts to improve sleep, occupational stress, and hospital safety climate to prevent BBFE occurrence.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.228-234
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• 2016

As a college dormitory has the features of high dwelling density and a floating population that becomes crowded during particular times, when a disaster such as a fire occurs, it has the risk of causing much loss of life. In this study, the fire simulation program Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), is used to predict the risk when a fire occurs, to analyze the problem, and to suggest an improvement plan for a new cadet dormitory at an university in Korea. The research results are as follows. When a fire occurred in the ironing room inside the cadet dormitory, a smoke detector operated after 65 seconds. Thirteen seconds later, a sprinkler started to operate. The temperature and carbon monoxide density reached the limit value at 241 and 248 seconds, respectively. Because the limit visibility value was reached within 66 seconds after the occurrence of a fire, it is predicted that preparation must be finished and evacuation should begin within 1 minute after the fire occurs, in order to have no casualties. Synthesizing this dormitory fire risk prediction result, the visibility value is considered to be the most dangerous factor for personal safety. Because of this, installing a smoke extraction system is suggested to secure visibility. After the installation of a smoke extraction system, the problem of smoke diffusion in the corridors improved.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.1.1-1.13
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• 2016

Objectives To investigate the accuracy and scientific validity of the current very low risk factor for hereditary diseases in humans following exposures to ionizing radiation adopted by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The value is based on experiments on mice due to reportedly absent effects in the Japanese atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors. Methods To review the published evidence for heritable effects after ionising radiation exposures particularly, but not restricted to, populations exposed to contamination from the Chernobyl accident and from atmospheric nuclear test fallout. To make a compilation of findings about early deaths, congenital malformations, Down's syndrome, cancer and other genetic effects observed in humans after the exposure of the parents. To also examine more closely the evidence from the Japanese A-bomb epidemiology and discuss its scientific validity. Results Nearly all types of hereditary defects were found at doses as low as one to 10 mSv. We discuss the clash between the current risk model and these observations on the basis of biological mechanism and assumptions about linear relationships between dose and effect in neonatal and foetal epidemiology. The evidence supports a dose response relationship which is non-linear and is either biphasic or supralinear (hogs-back) and largely either saturates or falls above 10 mSv. Conclusions We conclude that the current risk model for heritable effects of radiation is unsafe. The dose response relationship is non-linear with the greatest effects at the lowest doses. Using Chernobyl data we derive an excess relative risk for all malformations of 1.0 per 10 mSv cumulative dose. The safety of the Japanese A-bomb epidemiology is argued to be both scientifically and philosophically questionable owing to errors in the choice of control groups, omission of internal exposure effects and assumptions about linear dose response.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.6 no.3 s.25
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• pp.120-127
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• 2005

This study examines the occurrence of accidents when workers were travelling on construction sites and the differences in risk involved in each occupation. An analysis of 750 fatal accident reports found that in 138 cases, the fatality occurred when the workers were travelling on site. The 138 cases were then divided according to occupation and were then examined to determine how the workers in each occupation had been affected by various hazardous situations. There were significant differences in accident occurrence between the occupations and in the various hazardous situations. The results imply that the cultural aspect of each occupation leads to a substantial difference in the possibility of fatal injuries or death and that such differences in risk should be taken into account when planning the workers' movements on site. The findings of this study aim to help workers to understand the risks entailed when travelling on site and also to assist managers in the planning of workers, movements on construction sites.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6C
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• pp.219-229
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• 2010

Slope failure in South Korea generally occurs by the localized heavy rain in a rainy season and typhoon, and it annually causes huge losses of both life and property because nearly 70% of territory in South Korea is covered with mountains. It is required to measure the risk of slope failure quantitatively before proper prevention methods are provided. However, there is no way to estimate the risk based on realtime rainfall, geological characteristics, and geotechnical engineering properties. This study presents the development of digital terrion model to predict slope stability using infinite slope stability theory combined with temporal groundwater change. Case studies were performed to investigate factors to affect slope stability in Japan.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.492-498
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• 2022

Process control systems used in most domestic petrochemical corporates today are based on the Windows platforms. As technology leans toward opened environment, the exposure risk of control systems is increasing. However, not many companies are preparing for various cyberattacks due to lack of awareness and misunderstanding of cyber intrusion. This study investigated the extent of how much exposed the petrochemical process control system is to security threats and suggested practical measures to reduce OT cybersecurity vulnerabilities. To identify the cyber threat status of process control systems, vulnerabilities of the Windows platform, a principal cyber threat factor, have been analyzed. For research, three major DCS providers in Korea and the discontinuation of Windows platform of 635 control systems were investigated. It was confirmed that 78% of the survey subjects were still operating in the discontinued windows platforms, and those process control systems were operated in a state vulnerable to cyber intrusions. In order to actively cope with these cyber threats, legal regulations such as designation of critical infrastructure for major petrochemical facilities which is implemented in advanced countries such as the United States are needed. Additionally, it is necessary to take the initiative in eradicating security threats to the process control systems by aggressively introducing security solutions provided from existing DCS suppliers. This paper was submitted to Professor Ko JaeWook's retirement anniversary issue.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2021

In the past five years, form construction, which accounts for approximately 25% of the total construction period, has continued to occur without a significant decrease in the number of deaths, with the largest proportion of collapse accidents. Accordingly, this study analyzed the difference in perception between the manager and worker by a questionnaire survey on the degree of risk and safety management level regarding a mold collapse accident. The survey was conducted in three groups: safety manager, field worker, and field manager. The results of the survey were analyzed by an independent sample T-Test using the SPSS program. As a result, there was almost no difference in recognition between managers, but a significant difference in recognition between managers and workers. In addition, there was a difference in management perception between the administrator and worker, which clearly shows the difference in the position between the administrator who manages and supervises hazardous disaster factors and the worker who works directly in the field. Such differences in perception can be a factor that cannot be mitigated. Based on this study, more developed research can narrow the perception gap between managers and workers and be used as a basic material for disaster research.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.687-699
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• 2018

Understanding rain infiltration into the ground is an important feature of landslide risk evaluation. In this study, a landslide risk index for the study area is suggested, wherein the result of the landslide risk evaluation, based on the factor of safety (FS), is used. The landslide risk index is a landslide risk prediction index that utilizes the saturated depth ratio of the ground. Based on the landslide risk result for the study area, it was found that the FS was first to decrease. However, it gradually became convergent over the 50-year rainfall intensity study period, a result that is similar to the relationship between the saturated depth ratio and soil thickness. Moreover, saturated depth was also found to be deeper on gentle slopes than steep slopes. As such, the landslide risk index, based on the Inhu-ri study result, is thus suggested. Additionally, the suggested landslide risk index was compared and analyzed against the rainfall intensity of previous landslide experience. Results thus revealed that almost all landslides that occurred were over 0.7, which is the second grade, based on the landslide risk index.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.271-296
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• 2010

Objective: Poisonous Medicinal herbs can be considered as a risk factor to public health unless they are prescribed by Doctor of traditional Korean medicine. The proper method to manage them should be prepared to prevent risk factors caused by misuse and abuse of the poisonous medicinal herbs and enhance public health. Methods: In this dissertation (paper), the definition, scope, management status, data about pharmacology and toxicity and media release regarding adverse reaction were understood after organizing documents, laws and regulations concerning poisonous medicinal herbs. Also, management methods are suggested by analyzing related examples and regulations in China, Japan and Hong Kong, where the use of herbal medicine is general. Results: Methods for items for poisonous medicinal herbs, safety information management, management based on standardization of traditional processing methodology and reorganization and revision of related laws and regulations are established. Conclusion: Proper laws and regulations are not yet established to manage poisonous medicinal herbs in Korea. In this regard, it is urgent to establish laws and regulations which can apply independently. The purpose of the laws and regulations should be to enhance management of poisonous medicinal herbs and prevent incidence of addiction and death, improving the public health.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2011

This paper describes the current status of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) and its ergonomic risk factors, including the preventive intervention in terms of the working conditions and health promotion among agricultural workers. Korean agricultural workers have been exposed to the poor working condition. They have suffered from a variety of work-related injury and diseases more than the general population or the other occupational group. MSDs are one of the most prevalent problems threatening the agricultural worker's health and quality of life. Low back pain, osteoarthritis of hip and knee joint and carpal tunnel syndrome are well known MSDs that was found easily and frequently among agricultural workers. MSDs are worsened by poor ergonomic working conditions such as heavy weight lifting, repetitive movement and awkward posture which involves squatting with long sitting work on the ground, long working hours and heavy workload which are inherent in the greater part of agricultural works. Even though Korean agricultural workers are very weak population in terms of occupational safety and health, no many studies were conducted in the past and no many social and institutional supports were provided sufficiently. We need more interests and efforts in agricultural fields to improve its working condition and to promote health status of agricultural workers.