• Title/Summary/Keyword: Workplace environment

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A Comparison of Noise Level by Noise Measuring Methods (소음측정방법에 따른 평가소음도 비교)

  • Shim, Chur Goo;Roh, Jae hoon;Park, Jung Gyun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.128-136
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    • 1995
  • The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference of noise level according to noise measuring methods in the noisy working environments. Sound pressure level(SPL), equivalence sound level(Leq) and personal noise exposure dose(Dose) in the fifty-nine unit workplaces of the twenty-eight industries were measured and relating factors which were affected noise level were investigated. The results were as follows ; 1. The noise levels were $88.70{\pm}5.68dB(A)$ by SPL, $89.07{\pm}5.41dB(A)$ by Leq and $89.07{\pm}5.69$ by Dose. The differences of noise levels by three measuring methods were statistically significant(P<0.001) by repeated measure ANOV A. 2. Comparing with noise levels by general classes of noise exposure, noise levels of continuous noise were $89.14{\pm}5.19dB(A)$ by SPL, $89.45{\pm}4.65dB(A)$ by Leq and $90.04{\pm}5.09$ by Dose. Noise levels of intermittent noise were $87.90{\pm}6.52dB(A)$ by SPL, $88.40{\pm}6.63dB(A)$ by Leq and $90.10{\pm}6.80$ by Dose. The differences noise level of noise measuring methods by general classese of noise exposure were statistically not significant by repeated measure ANOV A. 3. Interaction between general classese of noise exposure and noise measuring methods for noise level was not statistically significant by repeated measure ANOVA. And the noise level by noise measuring methods were statistically significant by repeated measure ANOV A(P<.001) 4. Comparing with noise levels by unit workplace size, noise levels of large unit workplace were $90.73{\pm}5.87dB(A)$ by SPL, $91.32{\pm}5.50dB(A)$ by Leq and $91.82{\pm}6.06$ by Dose and noise levels of middle unit workplace were $88.31{\pm}5.26dB(A)$ by SPL, $88.41{\pm}4.83dB(A)$ by Leq and $89.69{\pm}5.05$ by Dose. And noise levels of small unit workplace were $94.89{\pm}4.10dB(A)$ by SPL, $85.35{\pm}4.11dB(A)$ by Leq and $86.87{\pm}4.98$ by Dose. The noise level differences of noise measuring methods by unit workplace size were statistically significant by repeated measure ANOV A(P<.05). 5. The noise level by noise measuring methods were statistically significant by repeated measure ANOV A(P<.001). But Interaction between workplace size and noise level measuring methods for noise level was not statistically significant by repeated measure ANOVA. According to the above results, there was a difference of the noise level among the three measuring methods. Therefore we must use the personal noise exposure dose using by noise dose meter, possible, to prvent occupational hearing loss in noisy working environment.

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The Relationship between Workplace Bullying and Depression: The Roles of Psychological Safety and Supervisor and Co-worker Compassion (직장 내 괴롭힘과 우울증의 관계: 심리적 안전감과 상사와 동료의 컴패션의 역할)

  • Sara Rousalova;Kwang Tae Kim;Hyewon Lee;Young Woo Sohn
    • The Korean Journal of Coaching Psychology
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.27-55
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    • 2023
  • Employee well-being, along with its associated barriers and improvement strategies, has become an escalating concern for researchers and organizations worldwide. This study examined the mechanism behind workplace bullying and depression, exploring the role of psychological safety as a mediating factor. Additionally, we investigated the potential impact of organizational compassion, distinguishing between supervisor and co-worker compassion, as a means of supporting employees subjected to workplace bullying. Based on an analysis of 392 online survey responses from full-time employees in South Korea, our findings demonstrate that workplace bullying undermines psychological safety, resulting in increased depression rates among employees. As anticipated, supervisor compassion mitigated the adverse effect of workplace bullying, whereas co-worker compassion did not exhibit the same moderating effect. These results emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive and compassionate work environment led by supervisors to lessen the strain on employee well-being. Theoretical and practical implications, along with directions for future research, are discussed.

A Study on the Work Adaptation of Re-Employed Industrial Accident Workers (재취업 산재근로자의 직장 적응 결정요인 분석)

  • Kye-Won Choi;Young-Min Lee
    • Journal of Industrial Convergence
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.1-12
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    • 2024
  • The purpose of this study is to categorize the adaptation of re-employed injured workers to the workplace and to explore the determinants that affect their adaptation to the workplace. In order to categorize the group of re-employed injured workers to adapt to the workplace, a latent profile analysis was conducted on 522 injured workers. As a result of the analysis, the workplace adaptation group was classified into three types: environmental dominant adaptation type (group 1), work-oriented adaptation type (group 2), and 'environmental adaptation type (group 3). In addition, as a result of conducting a mixed regression analysis to analyze the factors influencing their adaptation to the workplace after industrial accident, it was found that the work-oriented adaptation and environmental adaptation adaptation type were lower than the environmental dominant adaptation type. In addition, it was confirmed that educational background and self-esteem are factors that have an important influence on the adaptation of injured workers to the workplace. Based on the results of this study, it was suggested that the system needs to be supplemented in two aspects: customized support for individuals in the pre-reemployment stage and the employment environment after re-employment in order to increase the adaptation of injured workers to work. Specifically, there are consideration of the development and spread of rehabilitation programs and the expansion of the scope of subsidies that were paid only to the original business owners. Through this study, it is expected that more targeted policy measures can be prepared for re-employed injured workers.

Winter Indoor Thermal Environment Status of Nursery Rooms in Workplace Daycare Centers in Jeju Island (제주지역 직장어린이집 보육실의 겨울철 실내온열환경 실태)

  • Kim, Bong-Ae;Ko, Youn-Suk
    • Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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    • v.33 no.12
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    • pp.81-90
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    • 2017
  • This study was conducted to investigate the thermal environment status of nursery rooms in workplace daycare centers in Jeju and propose measures to improve their indoor physical thermal environment. For this purpose, measurements were performed in the winter indoor physical environment of 51 nursery rooms in 11 workplace daycare centers and a psychological evaluation survey on the thermal environment of nursery rooms was conducted for 70 nursery teachers. The investigation was carried out over 11 days in January 2017. The results are as follow. The average indoor temperature of the nursery rooms was $21.3^{\circ}C$($18.7-23.8^{\circ}C$) and the indoor temperatures of 47 nursery rooms (92.9%) were higher than the environmental hygiene management standard for domestic school facilities ($18-20^{\circ}C$). The average relative humidity was 33.9% (16.4-56.0%), and 37 nursery rooms (86.3%) showed a lower average relative humidity than the standard (40-70%). The average absolute humidity was $9.1g/m^3$ ($4.7-13.6g/m^3$), which was lower than the standard for preventing influenza ($10g/m^3$). When the indoor temperature and humidity of the nursery rooms were compared with international standards, it was found that 85% or more of the 51 nursery rooms maintained appropriate indoor temperatures, but 40-50% of the nursery rooms maintained a low humidity condition. Therefore, they need to pay attention to maintaining the appropriate humidity of the nursery room to keep the children healthy. The average indoor temperature of the nursery rooms showed a weak negative correlation with the average relative humidity. The indoor temperature had a significant effect on the relative humidity: a higher indoor temperature resulted in lower relative humidity. Regarding the fluctuations in the average indoor temperature of the nursery rooms during the day, in daycare centers that used floor heating, the indoor temperature gradually increased form the morning to the afternoon and tended to decrease during lunch time and the morning and afternoon snack times, due to ventilation. The daycare centers that used both floor heating and ceiling-type air conditioners showed a higher indoor temperature and greater fluctuations in temperature compared to the daycare centers that used floor heating only. In the survey results, the average value of the whole body thermal sensation was 3.0 (neutral): 32 respondents (62.7%) answered, "Neutral", Which was the largest number, followed by 21 respondents (30%) who answered, "Slightly hot" and 17 respondents (24.2%) who answered, "Slightly cold." Twenty-nine respondents answered, "Slightly dry," which was the largest number, followed by 28 respondents (54.9%) who answered, "Neutral" and 10 respondents (19.6%) who answered, "Dry." The total number of respondents who answered, "Slightly dry" or "Dry" was large at 39 (56.4%), which suggests the need for indoor environment management to prevent a low-humidity environment. To summarize the above results about the thermal environment of nursery rooms, as the indoor temperature increased, the relative humidity decreased. This suggests the effect of room temperature on the indoor relative humidity; however, frequent ventilations also greatly decrease the relative humidity. Therefore, the ventilation method and the usage of air conditioning systems need to be re-examined.

Risk assessment of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the workplace

  • Kim, Hyeon-Yeong
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.31
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    • pp.11.1-11.6
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    • 2016
  • Objectives A hazard assessment of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a commonly used workplace chemical, was conducted in order to protect the occupational health of workers. A literature review, consisting of both domestic and international references, examined the chemical management system, working environment, level of exposure, and possible associated risks. This information may be utilized in the future to determine appropriate exposure levels in working environments. Methods Hazard assessment was performed using chemical hazard information obtained from international agencies, such as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-generated Screening Information Data Set and International Program on Chemical Safety. Information was obtained from surveys conducted by the Minister of Employment and Labor ("Survey on the work environment") and by the Ministry of Environment ("Survey on the circulation amount of chemicals"). Risk was determined according to exposure in workplaces and chemical hazard. Results In 229 workplaces over the country, 831 tons of DEHP have been used as plasticizers, insecticides, and ink solvent. Calculated 50% lethal dose values ranged from 14.2 to 50 g/kg, as determined via acute toxicity testing in rodents. Chronic carcinogenicity tests revealed cases of lung and liver degeneration, shrinkage of the testes, and liver cancer. The no-observed-adverse-effect level and the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level were determined to be 28.9 g/kg and 146.6 g/kg, respectively. The working environment assessment revealed the maximum exposure level to be $0.990mg/m^3$, as compared to the threshold exposure level of $5mg/m^3$. The relative risk of chronic toxicity and reproductive toxicity were 0.264 and 0.330, respectively, while the risk of carcinogenicity was 1.3, which is higher than the accepted safety value of one. Conclusions DEHP was identified as a carcinogen, and may be dangerous even at concentrations lower than the occupational exposure limit. Therefore, we suggest management of working environments, with exposure levels below $5mg/m^3$ and all workers utilizing local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection when handling DEHP.

Review Paper for Characterization of Photoionization Detector-Direct Reading Monitors (산업현장에 활용되는 PID 직독식장비의 특성 고찰)

  • Sungho Kim;Hae Dong Park;Eunsong Hwang
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.93-102
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    • 2023
  • Objectives: With the evolution of direct reading sensors, it is possible to monitor several substances through telecommunication. However, there are some limitations on the use of direct reading technologies in the Occupational Safety and Health Act in South Korea, which only applies to detector tubes, noise, heat, and carbon monoxides. The number of chemicals and their amount of use have been continuously increasing in South Korea. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL) has concerns about worker's health because exposure is only covered for about 1.2% of all distributed chemicals. Using a direct reading monitor with photoionization detectors (PID-DRMs), gases and vapors chemicals can be measured. Based on the data, business owners are able to create corrective strategies, provide better working routines, and select correct respiratory equipment. PID-DRMs are less expensive and easier to handle for an owner voluntarily controlling chemicals emitted in the workplace. However, there are several limitations on using these PID-DRMs to the degree that the MoEL has not been able to select a legal monitor. The aim of this study was to review previous studies related to PID-DRMs and identify the characterization and limitation on PID-DRMs. Methods: To search for related studies on PID-DRMs, key words were used including direct reading monitors/instruments and/or photoionization detectors. Through that, four domestic and 15 international studies were reviewed. Results: Studies on PID-DRMs were conducted by chamber (enclosed, dynamic, walk-in) and in the field (experimental environment, actual environment). The concentration of PID-DRMs and charcoal tubes were compared for a single substance or mixture, or within the PID-DRMs. There was a high correlation between the two concentrations, but it did not meet the accuracy criteria (95% confidence interval, within 25%) of the NIOSH technical report (2012). In addition, differences in measured values occurred according to environmental factors (temperature, humidity) and high concentration, and concentration values tended to be underestimated due to contamination of the sensor. As a way to improve the accuracy of PID concentration, it was proposed to use correction factors, charcoal tube-based correction factors, or to calibrate the PID-DRMs in the same environment as the workplace. Conclusions: PID-DRMs can likely be used by business owners for the purpose of voluntarily managing the workplace environment, and it is expected that it will be possible to use them as legal equipment if a PID sensor can be upgraded and the limitations of the sensor (temperature, humidity, high concentration evaluation, sensor pollution) can be overcome in the near future.

Workplace learning experience for corporate workers under COVID-19 : Focusing on S Energy Company (코로나 19 상황의 기업근로자의 일터 학습경험: S에너지를 중심으로)

  • Lee, Ju-Seok;Song, Seong-Suk
    • Journal of Industrial Convergence
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.17-26
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    • 2021
  • This study was conducted to do in-depth exploration of coroperate employees' learning experiences for workplace under COVID-19. We collected data through depth interviews from August 10th to November 30th, 2020 with five employees of S Energy company, and a qualitative case study was conducted using Ricci's 3-step analysis procedure. As a result, In the process of adapting from the landing of COVID-19, "The Story of a Distant Country," "No More Safe Zones," "Exploring effective responses created by a Sense of Crisis," and "Learning the changed way of work for adaptation." appeared. In addition, It has been found that the experience of learning in the work environment of the With Corona era includes "learning experience for survival from a sense of crisis", "learning experience for adapting to Untact culture", "learning experience through SNS communication", and "competitive learning experience for performance creation". In conclusion, employees have adapted to changes in the workplace environment through various learning experiences, which can enhance workers' ability to cope with crisis situations and can be used as basic data for an effective learning. In the future, we suggested follow-up researches of corporate employees in various fields.

Individual Control over the Physical Work Environment to Affect Creativity

  • Samani, Sanaz Ahmadpoor;Rasid, Siti Zaleha Binti Abdul;Sofian, Saudah Bt
    • Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.94-103
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    • 2015
  • The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the background information regarding to the impact of personal control over the physical work environment on satisfaction with work environment and creativity at work. Today creativity has a significant and special place in business especially in innovative organizations which need creative people to generate new, and useful ideas for produce new products, services, work methods, systems etc. Moreover the design and appearance of workspace and individual ability to control the ambient conditions of the workplace have significant effect on their behavior, satisfaction and overall outcome including creativity. So the result of this study will contribute towards enhancing the understanding of the effect of office design to enhance employees' creativity.

INTERPRETATION OF THE RELEVANT CONSTRUCTION CODES AND REGULATIONS, AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION ON AN ERGONOMICAL AND SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Ahmed Abdallah
    • International conference on construction engineering and project management
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    • 2005.10a
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    • pp.429-436
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    • 2005
  • This paper reflects on the ergonomical criteria for a humane working atmosphere in industrial buildings while respecting and paying close attention to the physical, mental, and stressful demands of the work environment. It describes effective construction codes and standards of practice and their importance in ensuring a safe environment for working people. Also addressed are the objectives for a productive work environment and its organization. The paper considers the significance of a proper working environment, the use of dangerous working materials, the use of proper ventilation, climate, and lighting to ensure that the productivity of the enterprise is met with common goals shared between employer and employee. The connection between the legal foundation and the design of industrial construction is the focus of this paper. It shows that the planning and executive persons are obliged to observe the relevant construction laws and regulations including standards and codes of practice. Additionally discussed are the possible solutions and consequences for development in the productional, constructional, and ergonomical fields of design.

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