• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.418-424
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• 2020

Background: According to the previous studies, the work-related accident rate decreased in Korea after the introduction of occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), but there were several disasters in Korea such as subway worker's death at Guui station in 2016 and the Taean thermal power plant accident in 2018, which escalated the social demand for safety. In 2018, OHSMS became an international standard, as ISO45001 was announced. Methods: A survey was conducted to research the implementation status of OHSMS and changes in people's perception, and the results were compared with those of a past survey. Results: Enhanced social demand and various stakeholders' (not only buyer) needs, and social responsibility are perceived as the motivation for the introduction of OHSMS rather than legal compliance or customer demand. In the questionnaire about problems with the implementation of OHSMS, the factors with higher response rate in 2018 than 2004 were "excessive cost" and "complicated documentation management." In the questionnaire about how to promote OHSMS in organizations, most people answered "reduction of workers' compensation insurance rate" in 2004, but most people answered "exemption from health and safety supervision" in 2018. Conclusion: For the effective implementation of ISO45001, emphasis is placed on social demand, training to recognize health and safety as a part of management, and the reduction of certification and consulting costs to promote the introduction of OHSMS. Incentives such as insurance premium cuts and exemptions from health and safety supervision are needed.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.5-28
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• 2017

Using 2006~2015 Korean Welfare Panel Survey data, this study analyzed the poverty reduction effects of social security benefits. The results show that social security benefits have substantial impacts on reducing the poverty gap. National Basic Livelihood Security, public pensions, and Basic Pension have relatively larger poverty reduction effects. Other benefits such as disability benefits, workers' compensation unemployment insurance, and childcare subsidies have much smaller poverty impacts. Two determining factors of the poverty reduction effect are (1)the amount and (2)the poverty reduction efficiency of social security benefits. With the expansion of the social security system in recent years, the poverty reduction efficiency has decreased in general. Due to a greater increase in the amount of benefits, however, the poverty reduction effect has gradually increased. In order to increase the anti-poverty effect of social security, it is important to find ways to improve efficiency while minimizing the disadvantages of the selectivistic welfare benefits.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 2019

Objective: This study aims to analyze the characteristics of airborne radon and thoron level ($Bq/m^3$) generated from household products containing monazites, and estimate the effective doses (mSv/yr). Method: Radon & Thoron detector EQF3220 was used to monitor real-time airborne radon and thoron level ($Bq/m^3$), and their daughters ($Bq/m^3$) were recorded every two hours. Effective doses (mSv/yr) for radon and thoron were estimated according to models developed by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). Results: The average levels of radon and thoron were $87.8Bq/m^3$ (range; $20.8-156.3Bq/m^3$) and $1,347.5Bq/m^3$ (range; $4-5,839.7Bq/m^3$), respectively. The average equilibrium factors (F) were 0.23 and 0.007, respectively. The levels of radon progeny were far higher than that thoron. Latex mattress showed the highest F (0.38). The average effective doses were estimated to be ICRP (1.9 mSv/yr) and UNSCER (1.3 mSv/yr) for radon and UNSCEAR (1.6 mSv/yr) for thoron. Conclusions: Our results have far exceeded the allowable effective dose for general population (1 mSv/yr). The government's actions such as the ban of use of consumer products containing monazite and the establishment of surveillance system to evaluate health effects for the people affected should be taken as early as possible.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2019

Objective: This study aims to characterize airborne radon and thoron levels ($Bq/m^3$) generated from working environments in three subway stations in Seoul. Method: A radon and thoron detector (EQF3220) was used to monitor real-time airborne radon and thoron levels ($Bq/m^3$) and their daughters ($Bq/m^3$) every two hours. They were monitored not only in the driver's cabin of seven circulation lines, but also three offices, platforms, and water pump reservoirs in the three stations. Results: The average levels of radon and thoron were $67.9Bq/m^3$ (range; $7.2-619.4Bq/m^3$) and $44.4Bq/m^3$ (range; $4.3-819.2Bq/m^3$), respectively. Notably, higher than legal airborne radon levels ($600Bq/m^3$) were frequently monitored in the driver's cabin of seven circulation lines. Airborne radon levels monitored in the platforms and administrative offices were found to be over $100Bq/m^3$. The average equilibrium factors (F) were 0.12 and 0.06, respectively. The percentages detected were found to be 84.9 for radon and 72.4 for thoron, respectively. Conclusions: Significant airborne radon and thoron levels were frequently found to be generated in subway facilities including water reservoirs, platforms and driver's cabins. Further study is necessary to thoroughly investigate airborne radon and thoron in all subway stations and to devise proper measures.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.19-36
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of COVID 19. The effects of COVID 19 are grouped into 5; economic stress, mental stress, health stress, task concern, self-confidence. We introduce the concept of personal ambidexterity that is necessary power for cabin crews to provide appropriate and efficient service to passengers. Ambidexterity consists of exploiting existing resources to sustain and exploring the new including method of performing task, customer, market etc. The former is necessary to maintain present condition while the latter is necessary to prepare for the future. Also motive is considered as a stimulating factor for task. Previous studies show that motive affects ambidexterity and we try to analyze whether COVID 19 effects influence this relationship. Research design, data, and methodology: Considering the relationship between the variables, we designed to measure the influence of the effects of COVID 19 by analyzing the moderating effects of them. For empirical analysis we distributed survey questionnaire and collected. Total of 361 samples are used fo the analysis. For analysis program, SPSS version 23 was used. Regression analysis and moderating effect analysis were conducted. Results: Study results show that first, the variables of economic stress, mental stress, health stress, task concern, self confidence affects personal ambidexterity and service provision. Also ambidexterity affects service provision significantly. Among COVID 19 effects, economic stress, task concern, and self confidence has moderating effects. On the other hand, new work environment does not have moderating effect. Conclusions: In conclusion, the effects of COVID 19 are wide and various. Among them the most serious effect is that COVID 19 is depriving workers of self confidence and passion toward the work. To remedy stresses and restore self confidence and passion, each worker should make his/her own efforts, such as, learning more to become more competitive, also firms should do make efforts to protect employees and to rebuild trust between firm and employees in every respect. Especially firms should realize that economic stress can be treated by economic compensation as the situation turns to normal but trust as well as self confidence and passion is not easy to restore.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2024

Background: The serratus anterior (SA) is a muscle that performs protraction of the scapulothoracic joint and plays a role in stabilizing the scapula. Imbalances or weaknesses in SA activation are associated with a variety of shoulder dysfunctions, making selective SA strengthening important for rehabilitation. Objects: We aimed to compare the muscle activation of the pectoralis major (PM), SA, external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) during the push-up plus (PUP) exercise with isometric hip adduction (HA) and abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). Methods: Nineteen healthy male participants performed three PUP exercises: standard PUP, PUP with ADIM, and PUP with HA. Surface electromyography was used to measure and analyze the muscle activity for PM, SA, EO, and IO. Results: PUP with HA showed the lowest PM activity and highest SA activity, and no significant difference was observed between PUP and PUP with ADIM. PUP with ADIM showed significantly the highest EO and IO activity, followed by PUP with HA and PUP. Additionally, PUP with HA showed the lowest PM/SA ratio, and no significant difference was noted between PUP and PUP with ADIM. Conclusion: PUP with HA was able to show high SA muscle activity while reducing PM muscle activity. In addition, PUP with HA can lead to higher EO and IO muscle activity than standard PUP. This exercise could be used as a practical exercise method to selectively strengthen SA and improve scapular muscle stability during early shoulder rehabilitation.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1105-1147
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• 2013

To investigate farmers' satisfaction level and factors influencing on various agricultural and rural policies, an interview survey has been carried out in Jeonnam and Jeonbuk agricultural area, and collected 750 survey questionnaires from farmers. Satisfaction level was low in average ranging from 2.71 to 3.09 in five point Likert-scale on 22 agricultural-rural related policies. Ordered logit model results showed that satisfaction level decreased when farmers are older, had higher income, and had higher number of attendance in agricultural education programme. In addition, satisfaction level decreased when farms had main source of income from rice farming, dry-field farming, livestock farming, or facility horticulture. Lower satisfaction level was also related to location of farm. On the contrary, satisfaction level increased when the farmer had greater owned land. Among 22 agricultural and rural policies, practices that farmers prefer include Direct Payment for Rice Farming Income Compensation, Environment-Friendly Farming Service, Farmland Banking Services in order. Since direct payment policies that farmers prefer may not contribute in development of agriculture, policies can induce both farm income and agricultural development may increase farmer satisfaction level and finally resolve the income gap between the urban workers and farmers.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.225-233
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• 2015

This study was conducted in an attempt to determine the factors that cause excessive daytime sleepiness among 927 subway station employees located in Seoul. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire through the web site and were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Results showed that marital status made a statistically significant difference in general characteristics, and hobby/leisure activities made a statistically significant difference in health-related characteristics. Workplace and satisfaction with the organization made a significant difference in job-related characteristics, and physical environment, job demand, job autonomy, relationship conflicts, organizational system, inappropriate compensation, and organizational culture made a statistically significant difference in job stress factors. Factors that affect excessive daytime sleepiness were hobby and leisure activities, satisfaction with the organization, physical environment, job demand, job autonomy, organizational system and organizational culture, showing a 20.5% explanatory power. This study proposes the operation of programs that can improve the physical environment, change the organizational system and increase satisfaction with the organizational culture among station employees in order that they can enjoy their hobby/leisure life and relieve job stress so that they can avoid excessive daytime sleepiness.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.216-230
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the economic effectiveness of advanced enterprise welfare system utilizing DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis) and contribute to the adoption and implementation of the system conducted by Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service(COMWEL). We classified 48 sample data into 3 categories : A category(basic consulting & intensive consulting, adoption) is 36, B category(basic consulting & intensive consulting, non-adoption) is 5, and C category(only basic consulting, adoption) is 7. A consulting fee is used as input variable, earning per employee and average employee tenure are used as output variables. As a result from DEA, we find out the fact that the economic effectiveness of A category is better than the economic effectiveness of B and C category and it comes to the conclusion that the consulting service provided by COMWEL has a positive effect on the adoption and implementation of advanced enterprise welfare system. Therefore, COMWEL is required to perform consulting service to small & medium business more actively and is needed to look at the reason why some businesses hesitate to accept the relevant system.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.151-161
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• 2018

Background: Family values of a married woman may be related to her own depressive mood. Since depressive mood of a married woman is likely to exert a negative influence, in terms of mental health, on her, her family members, and the whole society's, it may be very important to explore the relationship between family values in married women and their depressive mood. Methods: In this study, we analyzed nationally representative 5,818 married women aged 20 years or older from the 4th panel data of 2012 Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families. As for variables of interest, we constructed three family values variables: family-oriented view of marriage, individualistic view of marriage, and traditional view of marital roles. Then we employed multivariate logistic regression analyses to explore the relationship between family values and depressive mood, adjusting for family and socio-demographic factors. Results: In total, 804 married women (18.4%) had experienced depressive mood. All of the three family values variables were significant in their relationships with depressive mood. The women categorized as 'very weak' in family-oriented view of marriage were more likely to experience depressive mood than the women categorized as 'very strong' (odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-2.55). By contrast, the women categorized as 'very weak' in individualistic view of marriage (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.33-0.55) and in traditional view of marital roles (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51-0.92) were less likely to experience depressive mood than their respective counterpart women categorized as 'very strong.' Conclusion: In Korea, married women's values towards marriage itself and roles between wives and husbands had significant associations with their depressive mood. This suggests that in order to improve mental health in married women, we need to take social and cultural dimensions into consideration along with public health interventions.