• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.390-397
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• 2023

Introduction: Biological risks are a major global problem in the workplace. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the biological risks at work. This study presents data on both communicable infectious biological agents and noncommunicable factors leading to death and disability for the year 2021. Methods: We followed the methodology established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in their past global estimates on occupational accidents and work-related diseases. We used relevant ILO estimates for hazardous substances and related population attributable fractions derived from literature, which were then applied to World Health Organization mortality data. The communicable diseases included in the estimates were tuberculosis, pneumococcal diseases, malaria, diarrheal diseases, other infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, influenza associated respiratory diseases and COVID-19. Noncommunicable diseases and injuries considered were Chronic Obstructive Diseases (COPD) due to organic dusts, asthma, allergic reactions and risks related to animal contact. We estimated death attributable to biological risk at work and disability in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Results: We estimated that in 2022, 550,819 deaths were caused by biological risk factors, with 476,000 deaths attributed to communicable infectious diseases and 74,000 deaths caused by noncommunicable factors. Among these, there were 223,650 deaths attributed to COVID-19 at work. We calculated the rate of 584 DALYs per 100,000 workers, representing an 11% increase from the previous estimate of the global burden of work-related disabilities measured by DALYs. Conclusion: This is a first update since previous 2007 ILO estimates, which has now increased by 74% and covers most biological risks factors. However, it is important to note that there may be other diseases and deaths are missing from the data, which need to be included when new information becomes available. It is also worth mentioning that while deaths caused by major communicable diseases including COVID-19 are relatively rare within the working population, absences from work due to these diseases are likely to be very common within the active workforce.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.170-178
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• 2000

Most of manufacturers try to produce the most efficient filter for respirators with the lowest breathing resistance. Filter performance depends on low penetration, i.e., high efficiency (%), and low pressure drop ($mmH_2O$). This study was performed to evaluate performance of respirator filters by quality factor ($q_F$) and suggest the direction for improvement of respirator filters of good quality in Korea. Two mechanical filters, S and K made in Korea, three filtering facepieces, S made in China, C made in Korea and M made in USA, which were widely used in the workplace, were selected and tested efficiency and pressure drop in accordance with flow rate, using with Automated Filter Tester Model 8110 (TSI, USA). The best quality factor within the same respirator filter categories was $0.0672cm^{-1}\;H_2O$ for mechanical filter S, $0.0698cm^{-1}\;H_2O$ for filtering facepiece M at flow rate of 32Lpm. Mechanical filter S would be the best suitable during heavy work since qulity factors decrease less sharply than any others as increased flow rates. It was necessary for mechanical filter S to lower pressure drop without increasing efficiency, but mechanical filter K should be increased efficiency and decreased pressure drop. While filtering facepiece M had the best quality performance of three ones, Sand C should get much higher efficiency and lower pressure for better performance.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.33-46
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• 1998

Introduction : In Korea, national attention to the workplace health promotion programs (HPP) for employees began in early 1990s. Governmental supports for the HPP and education programs have given to the employees. The purpose of this study is to find the performance degree of employees' health promoting lifestyle(HPL). Subjects and Methods : For this study, 615 employees who attended governmental educations were selected as research samples. The tool for measuring HPL used in this study was developed for Korean by In-Sook Park in 1995. It is composed of 4-point scaled 60 items and divided into 11 subcategories. The data were collected by self reporting questionnaires from June to December in 1997. Those data were analyzed percentile, mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, t-test with SAS program. Major findings are as follows; 1. The total mean score of the employees' HPL performance was 2.66. The average scores of 'harmonious relationships' category were the highest as 3.11, whereas the one of 'professional health maintenance' were the lowest as 2.02. The remains were 'sanitary life'(2.90), 'emotional support(2.85), 'regular diet'(2.84), 'self achievement'(2.78), 'healthy diet'(2.56), 'rest and sleep'(2.56), 'exercise and activity'(2.54), 'diet control'(2.53), 'self-control'(2.52). 2. The factors affecting HLP were category of industries and sex, age, marital status, education level, major, educational experience of health promotion, among personal characteristics. The employees of service industries, female, older age, married, nurse, educated for health promotion, graduated from junior college performed HLP more than the others. 3. The participation rates of employees for HPP were 12.4%, because of limited time and facilities and equipments. Recommendations; 1. The regulation for performing the health promotion programs in the industries is essential for activating industrial health promoting movement. 2. More governmental supports for educations and services for health promotion programs in the industries are needed. 3. For behavioral changes of the employees, the contents of educations have to consist of exercise and activity, rest and sleep, diet and smoking habits. 4. The evaluating studies for ready made health promotion programs in the industries are expected.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.50-57
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• 2020

Objectives: Methyl bromide is a highly toxic substance that can cause systemic poisoning, neurotoxicity, pulmonary edema. Methyl bromide is a widespread fumigation agent used for import and export quarantine, but there is little data on exposure assessment of workers participating in such fumigation. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the exposure level of methyl bromide among workers and the concentration distribution of methyl bromide in the workplace during fumigation. Methods: For this study, one wood tent and one container fumigation area in Pusan, and one wood tent fumigation area in Incheon were investigated over three months from June 2001. Results: Methyl bromide exposure levels for container fumigation workers were from undetected to 1.86 ppm and from undetected to 2.28 ppm for tent fumigation workers as an 8 hr TWA. After opening the container door, the methyl bromide concentration in the container decreased rapidly over time, but the concentration remained over 1 ppm even after about one hour. The concentrations around the tent during its removal were highly affected by wind, but were detected in a range from undetected to 11.97 ppm. Conclusions: This study confirmed that both container and tent fumigation caused workers to exceed the exposure limit of 1 ppm as an 8 hour TWA. In particular, it could be confirmed that a situation exists in which the worker may be exposed to high concentrations of methyl bromide when opening the container or removing the tent due to the nature of the work. Therefore, it is very important to improve working methods and to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

• 한국가스학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2018

지구온난화로 인하여 태양광 발전에 대한 관심이 커지고 있다. 이에 따라 태양전지를 만드는 핵심물질인 폴리실리콘의 수요도 나날이 증가하고 있으며 시장이 커짐에 따라 생산공정에서 크고 작은 사고들이 발생하고 있다. 그 예로 2013년 상주시의 폴리실리콘 제조공장에서 염산이 누출되었고 2014년에는 여수시의 폴리실리콘 제조공장에서 화재가 발생하였으며, 2015년에는 군산시의 폴리실리콘 제조공장에서 STC(Silicon Tetrachloride)가 누출되었다. 이러한 누출 사고들은 사업장 내부에만 영향을 주는 것이 아니라 인근지역까지 영향을 줄 수 있다는 것이 특징이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 폴리실리콘 제조공정에서 사용되는 위험물질을 파악하고, 최악의 누출 시나리오를 적용했을 때 누출량과 피해범위를 정량적으로 예측하였다. 그 결과 폭발에 따른 피해거리는 726 m로 예측되었고, 독성에 대한 피해거리는 4,500 m로 예측되었다. 그리고 TCS(Trichlorosilane), STC(Silicon Tetrachloride), DCS(Dichlorosilane)가 누출되어 공기 중의 수분과 반응하여 HCl이 생성될 경우 피해거리는 최대 5.7 km까지로 예측되었다.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.347-356
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to analyze the spine stability by comparing muscle activation in various scaffold working conditions. The independent working conditions were designed by two levels of working height, existence and absence of safety handrail, and the two levels of expertise. The corresponding activities of the agonist and antagonist muscles of spine were simultaneously recorded by using EMG. As results, novice worker showed increased muscle activity while doing the task on the 2nd floor, absence of handrail. And expert showed the increase of co-contraction while working on the 2nd floor without handrail. Such co-contraction was found to increase the spine stability when the working condition become risky. On the other hand, the co-contraction was prolonged, the spine muscle fatique and disc pressure could be increased, which would increase the risk of musculo-skeletal disorder. The results of co-contraction in this study indicates that the motor control system responds to maintain the stability of the spine particularly when workers cognitively recognize the danger of falling or imbalance. This study also quantitatively accounted for the biomechanical cause of LBP among workers who has to prevent themselves from falling. Therefore, if can be said that safe environment preventing falling can also prevent workers from MSDs as well. Such knowledge can be applied to design ergonomic workplace environment as well as movable scaffold.

• 한국주거학회논문집
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.85-92
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• 2008

The aim of this research is to develop the sentiment indicators of housing welfare for evaluating housing welfare policies conducted by the Korean government. The methods of this research are used by analysis of related documents, FGI (Focus Group Interview), and survey. The survey was made by experts and consumers. To analyze the survey, this research also uses confirmatory factor analysis by SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science) program, AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) by Expert Choice program, frequency, average, percentages, Factor analysis etc. As a result of this research, selected housing welfare indicators are settled as follows: In the housing welfare aspect, 11 indicators in the department of 'Housing Satisfaction' and 11 indicators in the department of 'Community Satisfaction' (22 in total) are suggested. The indicators are 1) Water Supply and Distribution Equipment 2) Heating equipment 3) the size of the exclusive residential area 4) the number of rooms 5) Ventilation and Lighting 6) Sound Insulation (Indoor Noise) 7) Air Pollution/Odor 8) House Deposit 9) Rent Paid 10) Maintenance (Dwelling) Cost 11) The length of Occupation 12) Proximity to Welfare Facilities 13) Educational Environment 14) Convenience of Facilities (shops, hospitals etc.) 15) Convenience of Transportation and Commuting 16) Distance from Workplace 17) Landscape and Green Space (Tree, Flowers, Grass etc.) 18) Vandalism (Destruction Behavior, graffiti etc.) 19) Privacy 20) Noise in Public Places (Drinking, Loudly Talking etc.) 21) Safety from Crime 22) Safety from a Disaster. As of 2007, the housing welfare sentiment index is measured by the survey of 1,000 inhabitants in the public housing, which shows 3.51.

• 한국가스학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2014

본 연구는 고무 화학제품의 제조에 연화제로 많이 사용되며 국제암연구소(IARC)에 발암추정물질(2A)로 등록되어 있는 Biphenyl에 대해 국내 취급사업장에 대한 작업환경 측정과 근로자 노출량 산출, 그리고 유해성에 따른 위험성을 결정하였다. 노출시나리오를 바탕으로 노출량 산출 결과는 각각 $1.0{\times}10^{-2}$, $4.2{\times}10^{-4}$, $7.0{\times}10^{-6}mg/m^3$이었으며, 위해성 분류에 따라 산출한 $RfC_{work}$는 발암성 0.21, 표적독성(경구) 2.13, 표적독성(흡입) 0.53, 발달독성 $0.31mg/m^3$으로 산출되었다. 유해성 및 노출평가의 결과를 바탕으로 한 위험성은 발암성 0.57, 비발암성(발달독성) 0.39로 도출되어, 1이하의 비교적 낮은 위험도로 나타났으나, Biphenyl은 일부 유해성이 확인되었으며 사용량이 많고 취급 부주의시 근로자에 직접 노출될 수 있어 취급근로자의 건강장해 예방을 위해 노출 감시가 필요한 물질로 판단되었다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.286-292
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronical exposure to high-level dusts on cellular immune function. Methods: The subjects were 110 male workers, among whom 60 were chronically exposed to high-level dusts in mica, limestone and iron mines. The remaining 50 were office workers. Ambient total, respirable dust and crystalline silica in the workplace were sampled using personal air samplers and analyzed according to NIOSH method 0500. Serum levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxide and superoxide misutase activity were measured using absorption chromatography. The subpopulations of CD4+, CD8+, natural killer cells (CD16+) and CD3+ T-lymphocytes were examined by two-color staining using monoclonal antibodies. Results: The concentration of hydrogen peroxide was significantly higher in exposed workers and superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in control workers. No significant difference in numbers of T-lymphocyte subpopulations were observed between exposed and control workers. A significant correlation in exposed workers was observed among total dusts, respirable dusts and crystalline silica. Hydrogen peroxide was significantly correlated with total dust (r=0.720, p<0.01), respirable dust (r=0.770, p<0.01) and crystalline silica (r=0.678, p<0.01). Concentration of hydrogen peroxide showed a significantly negative correlation with numbers of CD8+ cells (r=-0.274, p<0.01), CD3+ cells (r=-0.222, p<0.01) and natural killer cells (r=-0.556, p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that chronical exposure to high-level dust affects cellular immune function and effects might mediate through reactive oxygen species and inflammatory response.

• 한국화재소방학회논문지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.90-98
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• 2014

최근 우리나라의 유해화학물질 사고는 반복적으로 재현되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 2008년~ 2014년 기간 동안 유해화학 물질 사고사례의 분석을 통해 유해화학물질의 문제점 및 대처방안에 대하여 조사했다. 우리나라의 유해화학물질 사고의 현황 중 유출에서는 작업장 내에서 유출이 2008년 58.6% (10건)으로 가장 높았고, 폭발에 따른 유출은 2004년 50%(5건), 2007년 25% (4건), 2011년 33.3% (4건)로 불규칙적으로 발생하였다. 유해화학물질의 대부분의 원인은 안전관리 미흡에서 발생하는 것으로 이해된다. 유해화학물질은 다양한 양상을 띠며 잔류성이 매우 높고 비가시적인 특징 때문에 대응 및 복구에 어려움이 많고, 먼 거리까지 이동해 제2의 피해인 환경오염을 일으킨다. 이에 유관기관의 공조체제 및 통합적인 시스템을 구축하여야 하고, 화학사고대응전문기관과 화학물질 대응 치료전문기관을 설립해 효율적이고 신속한 대응을 하여야 한다.