• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2010

Purpose: This study investigated nursing care delivery systems in 44 university affiliated hospitals and satisfactions with the systems perceived by 226 unit managers (head nurses) of general medical surgical wards. Methods: Data were collected with questionnaires consisting of checklists asking the unit managers their nursing care delivery systems and their satisfactions with the systems. Results: Four models of nursing care delivery systems (primary, modified primary, team, and functional models) were drawn from the participants' responses. Among the four key models 35% of the units adopted team model whereas 24.3% adopted primary model and 22.6% adopted modified primary model. In spite of 35% of team model being under use, 60.6% (n=137) of the unit managers answered the nursing delivery system of their units as team model and only 6.2% (n=14) answered their units having primary or modified primary models, instead of 46.9% combining both. In regard to the satisfaction, critical thinking ability of staff nurses (members in their units) was the most dissatisfactory area regardless of models of service delivery. Conclusion: Introducing team model supplemented with core concepts of primary model (primary team delivery model) into nursing practice will reform the workplace and therefore deliver safe health care services to patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 2023

In this study, we determined the failure rate and fire status of electric motors widely used in domestic and industrial devices and analyzed the associated fire risks by identifying the electrical and temperature characteristics of electric motors under the normal and restrained operation modes in industrial sites and laboratories. A 2.2kW motor used for driving a conveyor during the vulcanization process in a rubber product manufacturing plant was employed as the study object and was exposed to a high- temperature environment as this motor is widely used in industrial sites. The current amplitude was 4.45-4.50 A during normal operation and 38.2-41.5 A during restrained operation due to the pinching of products and semi-finished products (i.e., 8.5 times higher than that during normal operation). The leakage current amplitude was 0.33 mA during both operation modes. The temperature of the workplace in summer was 42.38℃, indicating a poor environment for the installed motor. In the laboratory, the current and temperature of the coil inside a 3.7kW motor were measured under the restrained operation mode as performing measurements of the coil inside the motor in industrial sites is challenging. The current amplitude during normal operation was 3.5 A, whereas that during restrained operation for 30 s was 51.7-58.6 A, which is 14.8-16.7 times higher than that of normal operation. Moreover, the temperature of the motor coil increased from 22.9℃ to 101℃. Based on the experimental data, we derived the temperature increase formula according to the restrained operation time by performing a regression analysis and verified the time at which the temperature exceeded the stipulated limit for the insulation grade. The findings presented in this paper can be utilized to establish fire-prevention measures and perform safety management of motors of the same type or with a similar capacity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.32-38
• /
• 2023

In a chemical plant, while supplying corrosive fluid to a storage tank with a pump, an accident occurred where the corrosive fluid leaked through the upper exhaust vent because the level indicator was not accurately determined. There are various causes of leakage accidents, but we focused on the sticking of the level indicator of the level gauge, which is the direct cause. As a result of the analysis, the level indicator used in the workplace where the accident occurred was randomly replaced, and in the summer when the accident occurred, the tubular type level gauge was found to be more likely to stick than other types because thermal expansion easily occurs. In addition, there were difficulties in reviewing the proper installation because the installation standards for measuring instruments installed in storage tanks were not clear in Korea. Therefore, in this study, based on accident cases and overseas standards, we are going to find out about precautions when installing storage tank instrumentation.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.81-93
• /
• 2016

This study was aimed to analyze experiences of conflicts that women confront by participating in a conservative sport, baseball, and to figure out how they cope with these conflicts. In this respect, in-depth interviews were performed targeting 18 women who have been participating in a team registered in Women's Baseball Association for more than 1 year. Interview data went through classification of meaning and an analysis process of conceptualization and led to the following conclusion. First, the women's conflicts from their participation in baseball activities were revealed as the conflict between workplace and leisure activity, the conflict between significant others and leisure activity(objection by family and severance of interpersonal relations), and the conflict between sociocultural prejudice and leisure activity. Second, female baseball participants' strategies to cope with conflict situations were classified as making a group of supporters by persuasion and negotiation, active strategies(my own way and priority of life), and evasive measure(telling lies and avoidance of conflicts).

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.281-285
• /
• 2023

Background: Dentists bend needles prior to certain injections; however, there are concerns regarding needle fracture, lumen occlusion, and sharps handling. A previous study found that a 30-gauge needle fractures after four to nine 90° bends. This fatigue life study evaluated how many 90° bends a 30-gauge dental needle will sustain before fracture when bent using a needle guide. Methods: Two operators at Element Materials Technology, an independent testing, inspection, and certification company tested 48 30-gauge needles. After applying the needle guide, the operators bent the needle to a 90° angle and expressed the anesthetic from the tip. The needle was then bent back to a 0° angle, and the functionality was tested again. This process was repeated until the anesthetic failed to pass through the end of the needle due to fracture or obstruction. Each operator tested 24 needles (12 needles from each lot), and the number of sustained bends before the needle fracture was recorded. Results: The average number of sustained bends before needle failure was 40.33 (95% confidence interval = 37.41-43.26), with a minimum of 20, median of 40, and a maximum of 54. In each trial, the lumen remained patent until the needle fractured. The difference between the operators was statistically significant (P < 0.001). No significant differences in performance between needle lots were observed (P = 0.504). Conclusion: Our results suggest that using a needle guide increases the number of sustained bends before needle fracture (P < 0.000001) than those reported in previous studies. Future studies should further evaluate the use of needle guides with other needle types across a variety of operators. Furthermore, additional opportunities lie in exploring workplace safety considerations and clinical applications of anesthetic delivery using a bent needle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2024

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the logistics industry in Korea has rapidly been expanding, with offline demand concentrating on online platforms owing to the development of digital infrastructure. This has increased the workload of courier drivers considerably, along with labor intensity. A delivery driver died recently from overwork due to the continuous increase in delivery volume, which raises social concerns. Delivery drivers work long hours, (over 12 hours) and are greatly affected by weather conditions, such as snow, rain, heat waves, and cold waves. In addition, they lack a fixed workplace; perform atypical work handling workpieces of various sizes, weights, and shapes; and spend a large amount of time driving as part of their work. This work involves a high level of tension and requires attention and concentration. Despite the frequency of industrial accidents in the courier industry, studies on safety and health to quantitatively analyze and systematize the work of courier workers are very scarce. Therefore, to define the work process necessary for investigating the harmful factors in delivery service and the work analysis, this study conducted interviews and on-site surveys to analyze the unit work of the delivery service by targeting delivery workers. In other words, a framework of unit work for work analysis was presented to enable research and analysis by considering the aforementioned characteristics of the courier industry. The process was broadly divided into work, transport, storage, delay, and inspection. Work was divided into loading, sorting, unloading, and door subcategories, and transportation was divided into vehicle, cart, and walking subcategories as well as 10 small processes. Moreover, 22 unit works were again drawn by conducting field surveys and interviews. The risk of unit work derived from this study was ergonomically evaluated, and the ergonomic analysis revealed that uploading and transportation were the most dangerous. The results of this study could be used as basic data for preventing industrial accidents among courier workers, whose work has increased with the logistics volume and the development of the logistics industry.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• /
• v.35
• /
• pp.46.1-46.12
• /
• 2023

Background: As unpredictable work schedule (UWS) has increased worldwide, various studies have been conducted on the resulting health effects on workers. However, research on the effect of UWS on workers' well-being in Korea is still insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between UWS and work-family conflict (WFC) using 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Methods: Both UWS and WFC were measured using self-reported questionnaires, using data from the 6th KWCS conducted between 2020 and 2021, including 31,859 participants. UWS was measured by questions regarding the frequency of changes in work schedules and limited advanced notice. WFC was measured by questions regarding work to family and family to work conflicts. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between UWS and WFC. Results: The prevalence of UWS was higher among men, those under 40 years old, service and sales workers and blue-collar workers, and those with higher salaries. Workplace size also influenced UWS prevalence, with smaller workplaces (less than 50 employees) showing a higher prevalence. The odds ratio (OR) for WFC was significantly higher in workers with UWS compared to workers without UWS after adjusting for gender, age, marital status, occupation, salary, education, weekly working hours, shift work, company size, and having a child under the age of 18 years, employment status (OR: 3.71; 95% confidence interval: 3.23-4.25). Conclusions: The analysis of nationwide data revealed that UWS interferes with workers' performance of family roles, which can lead to WFC. Our findings suggest that it is crucial to implement policies to address unfair work schedule management, promoting a healthier work-life balance and fostering a conducive environment for family responsibilities.

• Journal of the Health Care and Life Science
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of organizational support level on job satisfaction and stress for local female civil servants. In the reality that women's social life is subject to various restrictions, social support for women is insufficient. Organizational support can be said to be social support that can increase work efficiency and productivity for workers. The study of improving the social status of female workers by understanding the level of social support and enhancing their work ability and performance is considered to be meaningful. Therefore, in this study, the effect of women's organizational support in the workplace on job satisfaction and job stress is verified empirically, and it is intended to be used as basic data to maintain stable job activities of female workers in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.33 no.9
• /
• pp.645-665
• /
• 2024

For volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from workplaces within the Noksan national industrial complex, the emission characteristics of pollutants were identified through zone-based measurements using vehicles equipped with selective ion flow tube mass spectrometry(SIFT-MS). The average concentration of total VOCs was higher in zones 2, 4, and 5 than in zones 1, 3, and 6, and was 2.1 to 4.2 times higher than background concentrations. The average concentrations of pollutants investigated were (from highest to lowest) methyl ethyl ketone, formaldehyde, methanol, and n-hexane. However, the pollutants that should be prioritized for reduction to decrease ozone generation were (from highest to lowest) methyl ethyl ketone, n-hexane, for maldehyde, and ethylbenzene+xylene. Benzene, a substance governed by atmospheric environmental standards, exhibited a frequency distribution exceeding the stipulated limits, and concentrations exceeding 100 ppb were identified for methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, toluene, and n-hexane. In certain class 4 and 5 workplace facilities, VOC emissions and emission prevention installations were inadequately managed, necessitating the formulation of management measures for small enterprises. Also, workplaces that emit large amounts of VOCs need to upgrade to VOC-prevention installations with higher processing efficiencies. To efficiently monitor VOCs in a wide range of areas, such as the Noksan national industrial complex, it is considered appropriate to monitor workplaces that emit high concentrations of VOCs using mobile SIFT-MS in real time rather than relying on fixed monitoring methods. A specialized method targeting approximately 10 VOCs is necessary to quickly track emission sources.Furthermore, it is essential to phase in a system for the intensive management of suspected workplaces based on accumulated data from SIFT-MS in areas where high VOC concentrations are measured and to establish a cooperative system for sharing data between relevant institutions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.124-134
• /
• 2005

To investigate the exposure effect of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we measured airborne total PAHs as an external dose, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as an internal dose of PAHs exposure, and analyzed the relationship between urinary 1-OHP concentration and PAHs exposure. The study population contained 44 workers in steel-pipe coating and paint manufacture industries. The airborne PAHs was obtained during survey day, and urine were sampled at the end of shift. Personal information on age, body weight, height, eniployment duration, smoking habit, and alcohol consumption was obtained by a structured questionnaire. Airborne PAHs were analyzed by the gas chromatograph with mass selective detector. Urinary 1-OHP levels were analyzed by the high performance liquid chromatograph with ultraviolet wavelength detector. For statistical estimation, t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, arid regression analysis were executed by SPSS/PC (Windows version 10). The mean of environmental total PAHs was $87.8{\pm}7.81{\mu}g/m^3$. The mean concentration ($526.5{\pm}2.85{\mu}g/m^3$) of workers in steel-pipe coating industries using coal tar enamel was the higher than that ($17.5{\pm}3.36{\mu}g/m^3$) of workers in paint manufacture industries using coal tar paint. The mean of urinary 1-OHP concentration ($51.63{\pm}3.144{\mu}\;mol/mol$ creatinine) of workers in steel-pipe coating industries was the higher than that ($2.33{\pm}4.709{\mu}\;mol/mol$ creatinine) of workers in paint manufacture industries. The mean of urinary 1-OHP concentration of smokers was the higher than that of non-smokers. There was significant correlation between the urinary concentration of 1-OHP and the environmental concentration of PAHs (r=O.S48, p<0.001), pyrene(r=0.859, p<0.001), and urinary cotinine (r=0.324, p<0.05). The regression equation between the urinary concentration of 1-OHP in ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine($C_{1-OHP}$) and airborne concentration of PAHs (or pyrene) in ${\mu}g/m^3$ ($C_{PAHs}$ or Cpyrene) is: Log ($C_{1-OHP}$)=-0.650+0.889×Log($C_{PAHs}$), where $R^2=0.694$ and n=38 for p<0.001.Log ($C_{1-OHP}$)=1.087+0.707${\times}$Log(Cpyrene), where $R^2=0.713$ and n=38 for p<0.001. From the results of stepwise multiple regression analysis about 1-OHP, significant independents were total PAHs and urinary cotinine (adjusted $R^2=0.743$, p<0.001). In this study, there were significant correlation between the urinary concentration of 1-OHP and the airborne concentration of PAHs. The urinary 1-OHP was effective index as a biomarker of airborne PAHs in workplace. But it was influenced by non-occupational PAHs source, smoking.