• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.568-578
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• 2021

Purpose: TThis study seeks to understand the provisions of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Construction Technology Promotion Act and to propose measures to prevent serious industrial accidents by seeking to promote safety and health of workers through improvement of safety management at construction sites. Method: A survey was conducted on construction sites with more than 50 permanent workers (5 billion won in construction amount). The analysis of the data was conducted using the JAMOVI statistics program and based on objective data. Result: Multiple regression analysis was conducted to verify the hypothesis of this study, and the results of the analysis. The participation of workers in safety and health activities has the highest impact on the promotion of safety and health of workers. Conclusion: In order to promote safety and health of workers at construction sites, compliance with safety and health rules of workers is required and improvements should be made to allow workers to participate in safety and health activities.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2024

Background: E-waste workers in Hong Kong are handling an unprecedented amount of e-waste, which contains various neurotoxic chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the neurological health status of e-waste workers in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neurobehavioral alterations and to identify the vulnerable groups among Hong Kong e-waste workers. Methods: We recruited 109 Hong Kong e-waste workers from June 2021 to September 2022. Participants completed standard questionnaires and wore a GENEActiv accelerometer for seven days. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Questionnaire 16/18 (Q16/18) were used to assess subjective neurobehavioral alterations. The GENEActiv data generated objective sleep and circadian rhythm variables. Workers were grouped based on job designation and entity type according to the presumed hazardous level. Unconditional logistic regression models measured the associations of occupational characteristics with neurobehavioral alterations after adjusting for confounders. Results: While dismantlers/repairers and the workers in entities not funded by the government were more likely to suffer from neurotoxic symptoms in Q18 (adjusted odds ratio: 3.18 [1.18-9.39] and 2.77 [1.10-7.46], respectively), the workers from self-sustained recycling facilities also have poor performances in circadian rhythm. Results also showed that the dismantlers/repairers working in entities not funded by the government had the highest risk of neurotoxic symptoms compared to the lowest-risk group (i.e., workers in government-funded companies with other job designations). Conclusion: This timely and valuable study emphasizes the importance of improving the working conditions for high-risk e-waste workers, especially the dismantlers or repairers working in facilities not funded by the government.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2013

Purpose. A huge proportion of adults in korea, workers chronic disease risk factors have been growing every year, these are closely related to oral health. thus, through the study of the relationship between workers oral health behavior and chronic disease risk factors. Methods. The subjects were 4,600 workers volunteering at the oral health education program part of the industrial health education of some area work places. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Rogistic regression analysis. Results. The results of chronic disease risk factor according to oral health practice behaviors show that currently drinking and smoking, not visiting to the dentist for last year, fewer toothbrushing were associated with chronic disease risk factors. This result was statistically significant as well.(p<0.05). Risk factors influencing chronic disease were gender, age, job period, dental clinic visiting, the number of toothbrushing, perceived oral health state, smoking, and drinking, these were statistically significant as well(p<0.05). Conclusions. Chronic disease that could threaten workers health was related with the oral health practice behavior. Therefore through factors identification affecting general health and oral health, dental care providers aims to increase workers awareness of health care behavior and lifestyle and to suggest periodical health education promotion program for high risk workers who exposed to risk factors of disease within workplace.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.43.1-43.12
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• 2023

Background: Gig workers, also known as platform workers, are independent workers who are not employed by any particular company. The number of gig economy workers has rapidly increased worldwide in the past decade. There is a dearth of occupational health studies among gig economy workers. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to violence and job stress in gig economy workers and depressive symptoms. Methods: A total of 955 individuals (521 gig workers and 434 general workers) participated in this study and variables were measured through self-report questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 when the score was greater than or equal to 10 points. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, working hours, education level, exposure to violence and job stress. Results: 19% of gig economy workers reported depressive symptoms, while only 11% of general workers reported the depressive symptoms. In association to depressive symptoms among gig economy workers, the mainly result of odds ratios for depressive symptoms were as follows: 1.81 for workers type, 3.53 for humiliating treatment, 2.65 for sexual harassment, 3.55 for less than three meals per day, 3.69 for feeling too tired to do housework after leaving work. Conclusions: Gig economic workers are exposed to violence and job stress in the workplace more than general workers, and the proportion of workers reporting depressive symptoms is also high. These factors are associated to depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the gig workers associated between depressive symptoms and exposure to violence, job stress.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.281-291
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• 1996

458 female workers working in the small and medium scaled industries in Inchon area were surveyed to study their general characteristics, health behavior, working and environmental conditions, awareness of exposure at hazardous materials, current health status, and degree of working satisfaction. Self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the female workers with the explanation by trained interviewer on the purpose of survey and the method how to answer. The results were as follows : (1) 75.5% of the respondents are living with their families and others are living in domitary or rent house for herself. Age distribution ranges from teenagers to warren in their forties. In marital status 69.0% of workers are single and 31.0% of them have ever married. 69.4% of workers are high school graduate. The size of factory is 48.3% with less than 300 workers, 42.1% with 300~500 workers. (2) Most of the workers(86.7%) are full time workers, 52% of the respondents have working experiences in other factories. More than 65% have fewer than 5 years working experience. (3) The awareness of exposure at noise was 33% of respondents, it was significantly different by skilled status. The awareness of exposure at dust, other hazardous material was each 13.3%, 12.4% of respondents. (4) 26% of them are unsatisfied with their working cognitions and 43.7% of them are unsatisfied with their welfare in occupational system unsatisfactory rate of promotion is higher in the unmarried workers(45.6%), skilled workers(47.2%), full time workers(47.4%), long term workers(50%), and awareness group of exposure hazardous material(51.3%), compared to married women workers, unskilled workers, part-time workers, short term workers and unawareness group of exposure at hazardous materials. (5) The index of working satisfaction is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 with the higher point indicating higher satisfaction. Among the selected variables, marital status, working status, the awareness of exposure at hazardous materials, were statistically significant with the index of working satisfaction. (6) By multiple regression analysis showed that the determinant factors of index of working condition were health index, the awareness of exposure at dust, the awareness of exposure other hazardous materials, marital status and working period. In conclusion, there is a significant relationship between the awareness of exposure at hazardous material the index of working satisfaction. Therefore if the workers are less exposed to the hazardous material and are educated properly they will be more satisfied with their work thus improving their health and productivity. Finally, with the result of this study, there is a great need for the development of a health promotion program and a welfare policy for small-scale factories.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.206-214
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was carried out to identify relation of health care utilization due to skin disease(ICD-10, L00-L99) and characteristics(sex, age, exposure status, type of industry, size of enterprise) of workers. Methods: We made new database composed of 30,536 workers' health examination results in one specific health examination institute in Inchon and data of medical insurance utilization due to skin disease in 4 medical insurance associations for enterprise from January, 1995 to December, 1997 And we analyzed determinants of health care utilization due to skin disease of workers. Results: Among 30,536 study subjects, 8,837(28.9%) workers and 4,181 (13.7%) workers utilized medical insurance due to total skin disease(ICD-10, L00-L99) and contact dermatitis(ICD-10, L23-L25), respectively. Female workers(p<.001), workers exposed to organic solvents(p<.05), workers if manufacturing industries(p<.05, p<.01, respectively) and in large scale enterprises(p<.001) utilized more medical insurance due to total skin disease and contact dermatitis than male workers, workers not exposed to organic solvents, workers in non-manufacturing industries and small scale enterprises. With multiple logistic regression analysis, significant explanatory variables affecting workers' medical utilization due to total skin disease and dermatitis and eczema(ICD-10, L20-L30) in total workers were sex, age, specific chemicals and size of enterprises. And age, type of industries, organic solvents, specific chemicals and size of enterprises were significant explanatory variables related to medical insurance utilization due to dermatitis and eczema and contact dermatitis in male workers. Conclusion: From the above results, we found that workers exposed to organic solvents utilized more medical insurance due to skin disease than workers not exposed to. And, comparing to workers in large scale enterprises, workers in small scale enterprises may have unmet medical care utilization due to skin disease. Therefore we have to establish counterplan to manage occupational skin disease of high risk group(organic solvent exposure group) and to satisfy unmet medical care utilization of workers in small scale enterprises.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2021

Background: Workers' oral health problems result in work disruption, including absenteeism or early leave, which reduces work efficiency. This study was conducted to investigate the subjective oral health status and oral problems of workers,and to identify the factors disrupting workflow due to oral problems. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was administered to 300 industrial workers in a metropolitan area. A total of 284 individuals were finally analyzed, after excluding the data of 16 workers who had missing responses among the recovered questionnaires. Results: Subjective oral health status was average in 44.4%, healthy in 32.0%, and unhealthy in 16.9% of the study population. Subjective oral health problems were the highest in the order of food impaction(28.9%), cavity(26.8%), tooth sensitivity (22.9%), and calculus(21.1%). However, sudden and unexplained tooth pain (12.0%), gum swelling and tooth mobility (10.2%), and wisdom tooth pain (4.9%) were relatively low. The average monthly income (p<.05) and subjective oral health status (p<.01) were statistically significant factors interrupting workflow. Conclusion: To minimize workers' oral health problems and work disruption due to oral diseases, it is necessary to promote workers' oral health and oral disease prevention programs within the workplace.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.4 s.48
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• pp.747-761
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• 1994

Workers' periodic health examination is the main tools used to manage the health problems of most workers in Korea. The most common health problem found in workers' periodic health examination is liver disorder. Liver disorder is also one of the most common health problems in general population and one of the leading causes of mortality in adult population. Regulation proposed by government (No. 207, Ministry of Labor, 1992) defines the criteria for selection of workers with the liver dysfunction for further evaluative examination and the examination items used for diagnosis of the workers with liver dysfunction. This study was designed to evaluate the proficiency of each examination items presently defined in Regulation and propose the optimal examination items for detection of the liver disorders found by workers' periodic health examination. Study subjects are 186 workers with abnormal liver function tests in screening examination of workers' periodic health examination. Questionnaire survey including past history of liver disorder, drinking history, height and weight was done. Physical examination by physician, routine test items defined by Regulation (SGOT, SGPT, $\gamma$-GTP, protein, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, $\alpha$-feto protein, HBsAg and anti-HBs), anti-HCV antibody test and liver ultrasonography were done. Results are as follows; 1. Result of evaluative examination utilizing only the items defined in Regulation was; There were 75 workers with suspected live. disorder(40.3%), 63 with no liver dysfunction (33.9%), 13 with suspected hepatitis B(7.0%), 10 workers with hepatitis B(5.4%), 10 workers with hepatitis B carrier state(5.4%), 10 with alcoholic liver disorders(5.4%), 5 with fatty liver(2.7%). When alternative diagnostic criteria applying additional examination items (drinking history, body mass index, anti-HCV antibody and ultrasonography) diagnosability of liver disorder was increased. When all four items were included, final results were; 23 workers (17.8%) with hepatitis B (10 carriers, 13 suspects and 10 hepatitis B), 10 (5.4%) with hepatitis C(4 carriers, 5 suspects and 1 hepatitis C), 13(7.0%) with alcoholic liver disorder, 45(24.2%) with fatty liver (40 suspects, 5 fatty liver), 410%) with suspected liver disorders and 44 (23.7%) with normal liver. 2. Of examination items defined by Regulation, only SGOT, SGPT, $\gamma$-GTP and HBsAg were significantly different in abnormal rate and mean value, and all other laboratory findings did not showed significant difference between two groups. Drinking history, body mass index and anti-HCV antibody test which are the items that authors included in this study, also showed significant difference between two groups. Utilization of body mass index (BMI) for abnormal liver function group in diagnosis of fatty liver had high specificity (97.6%) but sensitivity (22.3%) was low. Therefore we suggest that SGOT, SGPT, $\gamma$-GTP, HBsAg, alcohol drinking history, BMI and anti-HCV Ab were useful for diagnosis of liver disorders among worker's periodic health examination.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-71
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was performed to identify workers' Job stress status and to analyse the influencing factors. Method: Data were collected from 456 workers with Korean Occupational Stress Questionnaire Short Form(KOSQ SF) and analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA. Results: Total job stress status of men was slightly lower than Korean workers' standard. In case of women, the score of total job stress was lower than Korean workers' standard. The most significant influencing factors to stressors were insufficient sleeping time and self cognitive bad health condition. Among seven domains of job stressors, job demand was affected by 8 characteristics. Conclusion: This study indicated that workers' job stress level were various by their characteristics except workplace size. The development of stress management programs by types of industry is required. On the base of the model program, planning of customized program for every company or employee is required. High job demand, insufficient job control, insufficient sleeping time, bad health condition are the key factors of workers' job stress in this study. The change of workers' health behavior with supportive environment is essential to stress management program. More researches for adding physical environment domain to KOSQ SF are expected.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.496-501
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• 2019

Background: In this study, wage status and wage determinants of care workers were analyzed. Methods: The analysis used database (DB) of long-term care institutions, DB of long-term care institutions, DB of long-term care workers, DB of health insurance qualification, and contribution possessed by National Health Insurance Services. We analyzed the wage status of the care workers from 2009 to 2016 through basic analysis and estimated the factors affecting the wage of the long-term care facilities' care workers using pooled ordinary least squares. Results: The monthly average wage of care workers was raised from Korean won (KRW) 1.37 million in 2009 to KRW 1.52 million in 2016, and the working hours were shortened by 20 hours from 207 hours to 187 hours. Hourly wages increased by KRW 1,329 from KRW 6,831 in 2009 to KRW 8,160 in 2016. The average monthly wage of care workers was affected by gender, age, years of employment, monthly working hours, establishment type, city size, institutional size, the grade of the institution, and management status. In particular, the wage level of the care workers was high when the larger the size of the institution, the better the management status (fill rate), the establishment type is "government and local government" and "corporation," the institutional rating is high, and the facility manager has the first grade of the social worker license. Conclusion: The government should consider aggressive policies to improve the treatment of care workers as well as the quality of long-term care services so that there will be more long-term care facilities that are guaranteed social publicity above a certain level.