• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.336-338
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• 2015

This research is to propose an applicable framework for real-time health surveillance and safety monitoring at construction sites. First this study aims at finding (1) a framework for health surveillance that is likely to benefit employers and employees in the industry, (2) a valid way to identify factors or conditions with potential health concerns that can occur under particular work conditions, (3) An effective way to apply wireless/mobile sensors to construction workers using real-time/live data transmission methods, and (4) A relationship between a worker's vital signs and job site environment. Biosensors for physiological response and devices for weather/work related data are to collect real-time data. Relationships between jobs and physiological responses are analyzed and factors that touched particularly contributing to certain responses are identified. When data are incorporated with tasks, factors affecting tasks can be identified to estimate the magnitude of the factors. By comparing work and normal responses possible precautionary actions can be considered. In addition, the study would be lead to improving (1) trade-specific dynamic work schedules for workers which would be based on various factors affecting worker health level and (2) reevaluating worker productivity with health status and work schedule, thereby seeking ways to maximize worker productivity. Through a study, the paper presents expected benefits of implementing health monitoring.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.18-31
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• 2016

Background: A job-specific Worker's Health Surveillance (WHS) for hospital physicians is a preventive occupational health strategy aiming at early detection of their diminished work-related health in order to improve or maintain physician's health and quality of care. This study addresses what steps should be taken to determine the content of a job-specific WHS for hospital physicians and outlines that content. Methods: Based on four questions, decision trees were developed for physical and psychological job demands and for biological, chemical, and physical exposures to decide whether or not to include work-related health effects related to occupational exposures or aspects of health reflecting insufficient job requirements. Information was gathered locally through self-reporting and systematic observations at the workplace and from evidence in international publications. Results: Information from the decision trees on the prevalence and impact of the health- or work-functioning effect led to inclusion of occupational exposures (e.g., biological agents, emotionally demanding situations), job requirements (e.g., sufficient vision, judging ability), or health effects (e.g., depressive symptoms, neck complaints). Additionally, following the Dutch guideline for occupational physicians and based on specific job demands, screening for cardiovascular diseases, work ability, drug use, and alcohol consumption was included. Targeted interventions were selected when a health or work functioning problem existed and were chosen based on evidence for effectiveness. Conclusion: The process of developing a job-specific WHS for hospital physicians was described and the content presented, which might serve as an example for other jobs. Before implementation, it must first be tested for feasibility and acceptability.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.420-427
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• 2019

Introduction: To prevent and manage the societal and economic burden of occupational diseases (ODs), countries should develop strong prevention policies, health surveillance and registry systems. This study aims to contribute to the improvement of OD surveillance at national level as well as to identify priority actions in Turkey. Methods: The history and current status of occupational health studies were considered from the perspective of OD surveillance. Interpretative research was done through literature review on occupational health at national, regional and international level. Analyses were focused on countries' experiences in policy development and practice, roles and responsibilities of institutions, multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. OD surveillance models of Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands were examined through exchange visits. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the peculiarities of legislative and institutional structures, the best and worst practices, and approach principles. Results: Some countries are more focused on exploring OD trends through effective and cost-efficient researches, with particular attention to new and emerging ODs. Other countries try to reach every single case of OD for compensation and rehabilitation. Each practice has advantages and shortcomings, but they are not mutually exclusive, and thus an effective combination is possible. Conclusion: Effective surveillance and registry approaches play a key role in the prevention of ODs. A well-designed system enables monitoring and assessment of OD prevalence and trends, and adoption of preventive measures while improving the effectiveness of redressing and compensation. A robust surveillance does not only provide protection of workers' health but also advances prevention of economic losses.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.225-232
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• 2017

This study aimed to identify worker groups that are to accidents and to track the changes in their socioeconomic status there after. We analyzed the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) database(2001-2006) were recorded according to the participant's economic activity status at the beginning of follow-up, and economic activity status was. During the follow-up period, the unemployed group experienced more accidents that resulted in disability than the economically active group. Interestingly, the unemployed group also had the highest industrial accident rate. Among the employed, daily and unpaid family workers were more vulnerable to disabilities. After the accidents, the participants tended to become economically inactive or unemployed. Compared to other worker groups, the economically inactive, unemployed, and daily and unpaid family workers experienced higher rates of accidents and faced graver conditions as a result. Although they constitute a significantly large part of society, these vulnerable workers are not currently covered by any social security measures, such as accident surveillance, training, and accident insurance. Social policy should therefore be directed toward protecting these vulnerable worker groups.

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.79-91
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• 2009

The government separated and established the industrial safety and health law from the Labor Standard law since 1981 to promote the labor's working environment and to improve the conditions of laborers. The government made a lot of effort to discharge the industrial safety and health law by continuous revision of the law thereafter. it is, however, difficult to establish clear-cut lines of authority and responsibility due to the fact that the substantial application of the industrial safety and health law is adapted by enterprise's autonomous management. There are frequent industrial disasters on the small and medium enterprises which have financial difficulty and it means this causes much more social cost. Finally, for the improvement of laborer's safety, health and working environment in the small and medium enterprises we need to raise the effectiveness of the industrial safety and health law through enhancing a government-office's administration and surveillance with the changing mind of a business proprietor. On this paper, we research on the actual condition of the administration, inspection and regulation of safety and health by means of the industrial safety and health law. Thereafter we analyze how much the Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency and vicarious businesses of safety & health management help. we used the survey method to gather data from 380 laborers directly and analysed the data by SPSS v17.0.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.361-373
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• 1999

Objectives: Receive Operating Characteristic(ROC) curve with the area under the ROC curve(AUC) is one of the most popular indicator to evaluate the criterion validity of the measurement tool. This study was conducted to develop a standardized questionnaire to discriminate workers at high-risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders using ROC analysis. Methods: The diagnostic results determined by rehabilitation medicine specialists in 370 persons(89 shipyard CAD workers, 113 telephone directory assistant operators, 79 women with occupation, and 89 housewives) were compared with participant's own replies to 'the questionnair on the worker's subjective physical symptoms'(Kwon, 1996). The AUC's from four models with different methods in item selection and weighting were compared with each other. These 4 models were applied to 225 persons, working in an assembly line of motor vehicle, for the purpose of AUC reliability test. Results: In a weighted model with 11 items, the AUC was 0.8155 in the primary study population, and 0.8026 in the secondary study population(p=0.3780). It was superior in the aspects of discriminability, reliability and convenience. A new questionnaire of musculoskeletal disorder could be constructed by this model. Conclusion: A more valid questionnaire with a small number of items and the quantitative weight scores useful for the relative comparisons are the main results of this study. While the absolute reference value applicable to the wide range of populations was not estimated, the basic intent of this study, developing a surveillance fool through quantitative validation of the measures, would serve for the systematic disease prevention activities.