• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.549-561
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• 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the job stress factors of mobile communication network construction workers using survey based on 'Job stress factors evaluation tool for Koreans' that was developed by KOSHA in 2003. Background: Due to the rapid growth of penetration rate of smartphone, the necessity of LTE service changing from 3G network was brought up. The demand of LTE network construction in a short period of time leads to the aggravation of the job stress of mobile communication network construction workers. Method: Two hundred and fifty workers who were in the mobile communication network industry participated in this study, and among them 206 responses were analyzed for this study due to the unreliability and insincerity of responses. The eight job stress factors which are physical environment, job demand, job autonomy, relation conflict, job instability, organizational system, inadequate compensation, workplace culture were analyzed. Results: The job stress factors of mobile communication network construction workers were compared to those of other industry workers, and other work related characteristics were analyzed. The results showed that the stress level of a physical environment and job requirement were relatively higher than those of manufacturing industry workers, meaning that mobile communication network construction workers have rough working conditions and increased amount of work due to the demand of LTE network construction. The stress level of physical environment for outdoor job workers was relatively higher than that of indoor job workers. With the analytical result for level of job satisfaction, significant difference was observed (p <0.05) with every factor, and the job stress was found the highest with those not satisfied with every factor Conclusion: From the results of this study, the work loss due to the job stress could be prevented, and accurate stress factors could be removed at the workplace. Application: The results of this study may not represent the whole mobile network construction workers, the effort for job stress management is needed to improve the work efficiency and the workers' quality of life.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.268-275
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• 2013

For marine pollution prevention, Korea Coast Guard has enforced the self-check system on excellent workplace of marine facilities and ships since 2007 as part of the government policy for deregulation of administrative inspection. The self-check system had much effect amid interest from the workplaces and with their participation and cooperation. But the system has become stagnant because KCG has missed the proper timing to reflect the social and environmental change, marine workers' consciousness changes and the transformation of its relevant inner organization in the operation of the system for several years. To accommodate the changes of internal and external environments, this study surveyed 332 workers of ships and marine facilities through questionnaire about the self-check system for marine pollution prevention, reflected on the system, and focused on how to improve the existing system effectively. To increase the effect of self-check system, the enhancement of public relations efforts and improvements in marine pollution control system for ships of 5 gross tons and above are necessary. In addition, for relieving the burdens of business activity and visit inspection by KCG on excellent workplaces of ships and marine facilities, Marine Environment Management Act is needed to be amended so that the self-check system can be reflected in its amendment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to analyze 157 processes of 145 industries that exceeded Korean Occupational Exposure Limits (KOEL) for carcinogen during the 11 year period from 1999 to 2009. The data included number of industry and workers exposed, type of carcinogen and their exceeded ratio, type and size of industry in each year. These data were collected by 46 regional employment & labor offices in Korea using work environment monitoring reports. The result showed that, in each year, about 10 industries exceed their carcinogen exposure limit. The most common carcinogen exceeding KOEL were found to be formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene oxide and chromium VI. The carcinogen with the highest level of over-exposure were in the order of formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene oxide and asbestos. Fabricated metal product manufacturing industry were found to be most vulnerable against carcinogen with 11.1% of them exceeding carcinogen KOEL followed by electronic components manufacturing industry (8.3%), chemical products manufacturing industry (6.3%), and electrical equipments manufacturing industry (4.9%). The industry employing less than 50 workers had the highest percentage of exceeding carcinogen KOEL with 52.8%. The result also showed that strengthening KOEL for benzene and asbestos helped reduce the level of carcinogen over-exposure. Based on these results, strengthening the KOEL or new regulation turned out to help reduce the carcinogen over-exposure level. Benzene, ethylene oxide and chromium VI were the most frequently over-exposed carcinogen with the highest level. Therefore, these chemicals need to be regulated with a highest priority to improve the workplace environment. The results also show that the small-sized industries employing less than 50 workers was the most vulnerable against carcinogen exposures. Therefore, more government support are needed for these small-sized industries to help them to improve their workplace environment.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2015

Background: Young people are at an increased risk for illness in working life. The authorities stipulate certain goals for training in occupational health and safety (OHS) in vocational schools. A previous study concluded that pupils in vocational education had limited knowledge in the prevention of health risks at work. The aim of the current study, therefore, was to study how OHS training is organized in school and in workplace-based learning (WPL). Methods: The study design featured a qualitative approach, which included interviews with 12 headmasters, 20 teachers, and 20 supervisors at companies in which the pupils had their WPL. The study was conducted at 10 upper secondary schools, located in Central Sweden, that were graduating pupils in four vocational programs. Results: The interviews with headmasters, teachers, and supervisors indicate a staggered picture of how pupils are prepared for safe work. The headmasters generally give teachers the responsibility for how goals should be reached. Teaching is very much based on risk factors that are present in the workshops and on teachers' own experiences and knowledge. The teaching during WPL also lacks the systematic training in OHS as well as in the traditional classroom environment. Conclusion: Teachers and supervisors did not plan the training in OHS in accordance with the provisions of systematic work environment management. Instead, the teachers based the training on their own experiences. Most of the supervisors did not receive information from the schools as to what should be included when introducing OHS issues in WPL.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to find ways for strengthening occupational health services through monitoring exposure to health hazards. Methods: About 70,000 workplaces that have conducted the work environment measurement(WEM) over the last three years(2017~2019) were classified according to the Korean Standard Industry Classification(KSIC), and the current status of WEM by industry was analyzed. The authors considered ways to monitor exposure to health hazards in order to strengthen occupational health services and protect workers' health. Results: Based on the KSIC, 934 of the 1,196 total sub-classified industries have conducted WEM in at least one workplace over the last three year(2017~2019). In the case of manufacturing, out of a total of 477 sub-classified industries, 474 have conducted WEM at more than one workplace. However, in some industries, WEM was not conducted or the implementation rate was low, so it was necessary to examine whether WEM should be expanded based on a detailed analysis of the WEM database. To this end, it is necessary to form an exposure monitoring committee in which various experts from different fields can participate. The committee needs to discuss the overall matters necessary for selecting industries that require detailed investigation or research, review the results, and prepare a final recommendation. Conclusion: In conclusion, the government needs to come up with a plan to strengthen occupational health services through surveys and research on the current status of WEM and work environment management models by industry.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.317-330
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• 2022

This study examined the factors influencing the psychosocial well-being of working mothers of preschool children. It investigated the mediation effects of sociological ambivalence in the relations of psychosocial well-being with a family-supportive work environment and with the gender-role stereotype of family members. In addition, it tested the moderated mediation effects of the traditional gender-role attitudes in workplace and meta-mood. Data were obtained from 476 working mothers of preschool children. Using SPSS 25.0, Cronbach's alpha reliability was calculated, descriptive statistics were generated, and Pearson's correlation analysis performed. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were carried out using the SPSS process macro 3.5 program. The main results were as follows: first, sociological ambivalence mediated the relationship between psychosocial well-being and a family-supportive work environment. The mediating effect of sociological ambivalence was moderated by emotional attention, a sub-factor of meta-mood. Second, sociological ambivalence mediated the relationship between psychosocial well-being and the gender-role stereotype of family members. In addition, the traditional gender-role attitudes in workplace moderated the mediating effect of sociological ambivalence on the relationship between the gender-role stereotype of family members and psychosocial well-being. These results can be used to inform discussion on changing policy and education to improve the psychosocial well-being of working mothers with preschool children.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the reliability assessment of work environment measurement, and to propose ways of improving the system. Methods: We have reviewed reports and articles on the reliability assessment written by KOSHA and academia in order to analyze problems related with the system and propose the alternatives. Results: There are three ways to improve the system of the reliability assessment. First of all, it is necessary to perform the reliability assessment by measuring the work environment when workers raise questions about the results so we can make workers trust these results of the reliability assessment. Secondly, we should inspect the workplace at first, not the work environment service provider, so we can increase the employer's recognition of his duty to practice the work environment measurement. Thirdly, the technical committee is needed for technical issues related with the work environment measurement. Conclusions: Above all, it is crucial to get the workers' interest and trust to improve the work environment measurement. The reliability assessment should support the meaning and value of the work environment measurement by practicing the reliability assessment whenever workers have a demand for this and operating the technical committee.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.215-229
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• 2023

Objectives: To validate the effectiveness of a real-time chemical exposure monitoring system developed by KOSHA (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), we applied the system to a workplace in the electronics industry for 153 days. Methods: The monitoring system consisted of a PID chemical sensor, a LTE communication equipment, and a web-based platform. To monitor chemical exposure, four sets of sensors were placed in two manufacturing tasks - inspection and jig cleaning - which used TCE as a degreasing agent. We reviewed previous reports of work environment measurements and conducted a new work environment measurement on one day during the period. The PID sensor systems detected the chemical exposure levels in the workplace every second and transmitted it to the platform. Daily average and maximum chemical exposure levels were also recorded. Results: We compared the results from the real-time monitoring system and the work environment measurement by traditional methods. Generally, the data from the real-time monitoring system showed a higher level because the sensors were closer to the chemical source. We found that 28% of jig cleaning task data exceeded the STEL. Peak exposure levels of sensor data were useful for understanding the characteristics of the task's chemical use. Limitations and implications were reviewed for the adoption of the system for preventing poisoning caused by chemical substances. Conclusions: We found that the real-time chemical exposure monitoring system was an efficient tool for preventing occupational diseases caused by chemical exposure, such as acute poisoning. Further research is needed to improve the reliability and applicability of the system. We also believe that forming a social consensus around the system is essential.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of nursing work environment and job stress on health problems of hospital nurses. Methods: The subjects were 200 nurses working in S general hospital in Gyeongnam, and the data were collected using organized questionnaire from Jan 10 to 25, 2015. The Korean version of the practice environment scale of nursing work index, the instrument for job stress, and the Korean version of Todie Health Index for health problem were used for measurement. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression. Results: The nursing work environment was found to be slightly negative, and the job stress was found to be high. There were significant correlation among nursing work environment, job stress, and health problems. In addition, it showed that the nursing work environment and job stress of nurses were factors affecting their health problems. Conclusion: The nursing work environment and job stress are influencing factors on the health problems of hospital nurses. Multi-faceted efforts to create a positive nursing work environment are required. Further researches related to association between the nursing work environment and health problem of nurses are needed.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.58-67
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the nursing work environment and family satisfaction in Korean intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: The study participants were 190 critical care nurses and 133 family members of ICU patients who were randomly chosen from four of the hospitals located in B city. The Korean Nursing Work Environment Scale was used to assess the work environment of critical care nurses. Family satisfaction was measured with the Korean version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. Results: Critical care nurses reported moderate satisfaction with their work environment. The mean score for family satisfaction was 3.59 on a 5-point scale, and satisfaction with information provision received the highest score. Family satisfaction was higher in hospitals where the critical care nurses evaluated their work environment positively. Conclusion: This study revealed that the work environment of nurses affects family satisfaction in ICUs. Therefore, it is necessary to explore various methods of improving the critical care nursing work environment in order to provide the highest possible level of nursing care.