• 한국학교ㆍ지역보건교육학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.49-60
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• 2021

Objectives: Laboratories have various latent physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomical factors according to the diversification and fusion of research and development activities. This study aims to investigate the chemical exposure concentrations of college laboratories and evaluate their health risks, and use them as basic data to promote the health of college students. Methods: The sampling and analysis of harmful chemicals in the air in laboratories were performed using Method 1500 of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)의 Method 1500. The harmful chemicals in the laboratories were divided into carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic chemicals. Risk assessment was performed using the cancer risk (CR) for carcinogenic chemicals and using the hazard index (HI) for non-carcinogenic chemicals. Results: The harmful chemicals in college laboratories consisted of acetone, diethyl ether, methylene chloride, n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and xylenes. They showed the highest concentrations in laboratories A (acetone 0.001~2.34ppm), B (chloroform 0.95~6.35ppm), C (diethyl ether 0.08~8.68ppm), and D (acetone 0.07~14.96ppm). The risk assessment result for non-carcinogenic chemicals showed that the HI of methylene chloride was 2.052 for men and 2.333 for women, the HI of N-hexane was 4.442 for men and 5.05 for women. Thus, the HI values were higher than 1. The risk of carcinogenic chemicals is determined by an excess cancer risk (ECR) value of 1.0×10^-5, which means that one in 100,000 people has a cancer risk. The ECRs of chloroform exceeded 1.0×10^-5 for both men and women, indicating the possibility of cancer risk. Conclusion: College laboratories showed the possibility of non-carcinogenic health risks for methylene chloride, n-hexane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, and xylenes, and carcinogenic health risks for chloroform, methylene chloride. However, this study used the maximum values of measurements to determine the worst case, and assumed that the subjects were exposed to the corresponding concentrations continuously for 8 hours per day for 300 days per year. In consideration of the nature of laboratory environment in which people are intermittently exposed, rather than continuously, to the chemicals, the results of this study has an element of overestimation.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.248-254
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• 2022

Background: Occupational hazards in crop farms vary diversely based on different field operations as soil management, harvesting processes, pesticide, or fertilizer application. We aimed at evaluating the immunological status of crop farmers, as limited systematic investigations on immune alteration involved with crop farming have been reported yet. Methods: Immunological parameters including plasma immunoglobulin level, major peripheral immune cells distribution, and level of cytokine production from activated T cell were conducted. Nineteen grape orchard, 48 onion open-field, and 21 rose greenhouse farmers were participated. Results: Significantly low proportion of natural killer (NK) cell, a core cell for innate immunity, was revealed in the grape farmers (19.8±3.3%) in comparison to the onion farmers (26.4±3.1%) and the rose farmers (26.9±2.5%), whereas cytotoxic T lymphocyte proportion was lower in the grape and the onion farmers than the rose farmers. The proportion of NKT cell, an immune cell implicated with allergic response, was significantly higher in the grape (2.3±0.3%) and the onion (1.6±0.8%) farmers compared with the rose farmers (1.0±0.4%). A significantly decreased interferon-gamma:interleukin-13 ratio was observed from ex vivo stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of grape farmers compared with the other two groups. The grape farmers revealed the lowest levels of plasma IgG1 and IgG4, and their plasma IgE level was not significantly different from that of the onion or the rose farmers. Conclusion: Our finding suggests the high vulnerability of workplace-mediated allergic immunity in grape orchard farmers followed by open-field onion farmers and then the rose greenhouse farmers.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.372-379
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• 2023

Background: Laundry workers are known to be exposed to organic solvents in various works including dry cleaning. Long-term exposure to organic solvents may cause adverse health effects among laundry workers. Objectives: To investigate the association between exposure to organic solvents and symptom of headache or eyestrain among laundry workers. Methods: The subjects were total 267 laundry workers who participated in the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS). Responses to exposure to 'inhalation of vapor from organic solvent' was categorized into two (non-exposed: rarely or absolutely not exposed during working hours; exposed: ≥1/4 working hours) or three (non-exposed; low exposure: 1/4 of the working hours; high exposure: ≥1/2 working hours) groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between exposure to organic solvents and symptom of headache or eyestrain in the last 12 months among laundry workers. Odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for experience of the symptom of headache or eyestrain with adjustment for age, sex, education, workplace size (by the number of workers), working hours per week, and current working period (year). Results: The proportions of exposure groups, i.e., non-exposed, low exposure, and high exposure, were 80.4%, 11.1%, and 8.5%, respectively. The proportion of those who had symptom of headache or eyestrain in the last 12 months was 18.7%. There was a significant association between exposure to organic solvents and experience of headache or eyestrain (OR=3.2, 95% CI=1.4~7.4). And, the proportion of those who experienced symptom of headache or eyestrain tended to increase significantly as the level of exposure to organic solvents increased (P_trend=0.002). Conclusions: Our results suggest that exposure to organic solvents are associated with symptom of headache or eystrain among laundry workers in Korea. However, further studies with more relevant design is needed to replicate the association.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.50.1-50.11
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• 2023

Background: The rise in telecommuting or non-face-to-face work owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has fueled conversations regarding the "right to disconnect." Although evidence suggests that receiving work-related communications through telecommunication devices outside of work hours may lead to various symptoms and illnesses, limited research has been undertaken on these symptoms. This study therefore aims to investigate the correlation between receiving work communications through telecommunication devices after work hours and the occurrence of work-related headaches and eyestrain in full-time, non-shift white-collar workers. Methods: This study used data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey. The frequency of using telecommunication devices for work purposes outside of working hours was divided into five categories: "Every day," "Several times a week," "Several times a month," "Rarely," and "Never." Work-related headaches and eyestrain were categorized based on a "yes" or "no" response to the survey questions. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0. Results: After adjusting for sex, age, income level, education, occupation, workplace size, work hours, and sleep disorders, the odds ratio (OR) of work-related headaches and eyestrain based on frequency of telecommunication device usage were as follows: "rarely" (OR: 1.292; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.111-1.503), "several times a month" (OR: 1.551; 95% CI: 1.249-1.926), "several times a week" (OR: 1.474; 95% CI: 1.217-1.784), and "every day" (OR: 1.548; 95% CI: 1.321-1.813). Conclusions: Employees who use telecommunication devices for work after regular hours are more susceptible to experiencing work-related headaches and eyestrain compared to those who do not. However, there is a dearth of research examining the physical and mental health impacts of using telecommunication devices for after-hours work. Furthermore, the existing preventative measures in Korea are insufficient. Consequently, it is imperative to develop effective measures and conduct additional research to address this issue.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.39.1-39.14
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• 2023

Background: Diseases affecting the lungs and airways contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. The problem in low- and middle-income countries appears to be exacerbated by a shift in global manufacturing base to these countries and inadequate enforcement of environmental and safety standards. In Ghana, the potential adverse effects on respiratory function associated with occupational wood dust exposure have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: Sixty-four male sawmill workers and 64 non-woodworkers participated in this study. The concentration of wood dust exposure, prevalence and likelihood of association of respiratory symptoms with wood dust exposure and changes in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters in association with wood dust exposure were determined from dust concentration measurements, symptoms questionnaire and lung function test parameters. Results: Sawmill workers were exposed to inhalable dust concentration of 3.09 ± 0.04 mg/m³ but did not use respirators and engaged in personal grooming habits that are known to increase dust inhalation. The sawmill operators also showed higher prevalence and likelihoods of association with respiratory symptoms, a significant cross-shift decline in some PFT parameters and a shift towards a restrictive pattern of lung dysfunction by end of daily shift. The before-shift PFT parameters of woodworkers were comparable to those of non-woodworkers, indicating a lack of chronic effects of wood dust exposure. Conclusions: Wood dust exposure at the study site was associated with acute respiratory symptoms and acute changes in some PFT parameters. This calls for institution and enforcement of workplace and environmental safety policies to minimise exposure at sawmill operating sites, and ultimately, decrease the burden of respiratory diseases.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.58-71
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• 2015

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the classification system of chemical substances in the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) and Chemical Substances Control Act(CSCA) and to compare several health indices (i.e., Time Weighted Average (TWA), Lethal Dose ($LD_{50}$), and Lethal Concentration ($LC_{50}$) of chemical substances by categories in each law. Methods: The chemicals regulated by each law were classified by the specific categories provided in the respective law; seven categories for OSHA (chemicals with OELs, chemicals prohibited from manufacturing, etc., chemicals requiring approval, chemicals kept below permissible limits, chemicals requiring workplace monitoring, chemicals requiring special management, and chemicals requiring special heath diagnosis) and five categories from the CSCA(poisonous substances, permitted substances, restricted substances, prohibited substances, and substances requiring preparation for accidents). Information on physicochemical properties, health indices including CMR characteristics, $LD_{50}$ and $LD_{50}$ were searched from the homepages of the Korean Occupational and Safety Agency and the National Institute of Environmental Research, etc. Statistical analysis was conducted for comparison between TWA and health index for each category. Results: The number of chemicals based on CAS numbers was different from the numbers of series of chemicals listed in each law because of repeat listings due to different names (e.g., glycol monoethylether vs. 2-ethoxy ethanol) and grouping of different chemicals under the same serial number(i.e., five different benzidine-related chemicals were categorized under one serial number(06-4-13) as prohibited substances under the CSCA). A total of 722 chemicals and 995 chemicals were listed at the OSHA and its sub-regulations and CSCA and its sub-regulations, respectively. Among these, 36.8% based on OSHA chemicals and 26.7% based on CSCA chemicals were regulated simultaneously through both laws. The correlation coefficients between TWA and $LC_{50}$ and between TWA and $LD_{50}$, were 0.641 and 0.506, respectively. The geometric mean values of TWA calculated by each category in both laws have no tendency according to category. The patterns of cumulative graph for TWA, $LD_{50}$, $LC_{50}$ were similar to the chemicals regulated by OHSA and CCSA, but their median values were lower for CCSA regulated chemicals than OSHA regulated chemicals. The GM of carcinogenic chemicals under the OSHA was significantly lower than non-CMR chemicals($2.21mg/m^3$ vs $5.69mg/m^3$, p=0.006), while there was no significant difference in CSCA chemicals($0.85mg/m^3$ vs $1.04mg/m^3$, p=0.448). $LC_{50}$ showed no significant difference between carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxic chemicals and non-CMR chemicals in both laws' regulated chemicals, while there was a difference between carcinogens and non-CMR chemicals in $LD_{50}$ of the CSCA. Conclusions: This study found that there was no specific tendency or significant difference in health indicessuch TWA, $LD_{50}$ and $LC_{50}$ in subcategories of chemicals as classified by the Ministry of Labor and Employment and the Ministry of Environment. Considering the background and the purpose of each law, collaboration for harmonization in chemical categorizing and regulation is necessary.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.69-74
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• 2013

본 연구는 식초절임 무의 HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)시스템 구축을 위하여 생물학적 위해요소분석을 위한 목적으로 2012년 2월 1일~6월 31일까지 약 150일 동안 수행하였다. 일반적인 식초절임 무 제조업체의 제조공정을 참고로 하여 공정도를 작성하였으며, 식초절임 무의 원료 농산물(무), 용수, 첨가물과 포장재료에 입고, 보관, 정선, 세척, 표피제거, 절단, 선별, 충진, 내포장, 금속검출, 외포장, 보관 및 출하공정에 대하여 작성하였다. 원료 무의 세척 전, 세척 후의 Coliform group, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, Listeria Monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Clostridium perfringens, Yeast 와 Mold를 측정한 결과 Bacillus cereus는 세척 전 $5.00{\times}10$ CFU/g이었으나, 세척 후 검출되지 않았으며, Yeast 와 Mold 는 세척 전 $3.80{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, 세척 후 10 CFU/g로 감소되었으며 나머지 병원성균은 검출되지 않았다. 조미액의 pH(2~5)별 미생물의 변화를 시험한 결과 모든 균이 검출되지 않은 pH 3~4를 조미액의 pH로 결정하였다. 작업장별 공중낙하균 (일반세균수, 대장균, 진균수) 시험결과 내포장실, 조미액가공실, 세척실, 보관실의 미생물수는 10 CFU/Plate, 2 CFU/Plate, 60 CFU/Plate 그리고 20 CFU/Plate 가 검출되었다. 종사자 손바닥 시험결과 일반세균수 346 $CFU/Cm^2$, 대장균군 23 $CFU/Cm^2$로 높게 나타나 개인위생관리에 대한 교육 및 훈련이 요구 되었다. 제조설비 및 기구의 표면오염도를 검사한 결과 모든 시료에서 대장균군은 검출되지 않았고, 일반세균은 PP Packing machin과 Siuping machine (PE Bulk)에서 가장 많은 $4.2{\times}10^3CFU/Cm^2$, $2.6{\times}10^3CFU/Cm^2$ 검출되었다. 위의 위해분석 결과 병원성미생물을 예방, 감소 또는 제거할 수 있는 조미액 가공 공정이 CCP-B (Biological)로 관리되어야 하고, 한계기준은 pH 3~4로 결정하였다. 따라서 전통한과생산에의 HACCP 모델 적용을 위한 미생물학적 위해도 평가에서와 같이 조미액 가공 공정의 관리기준 및 이탈시 조치방법, 검증방법, 교육 훈련과 기록관리 등 철저한 HACCP 관리계획이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국재난정보학회 논문집
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.583-597
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• 2014

난방기기에 의한 화재는 다양한 난방기기의 종류처럼 그 원인도 다양하고. 매년 계속되는 전통재래시장에서의 난방기기에 의한 화재사고가 빈번히 발생하여 인명 및 재산상의 손실을 초래하고 있다. 일반주택이나 아파트 등 대부분의 주거시설은 난방용 보일러가 보급되어 난방기기로 인한 화재가 그리 많지 않으나 식당, 시장의 점포와 사무실, 체육관, 공장, 작업장 등에서는 여전히 석유난로, 전기난로 등 난방기기를 사용 하고 있어 화재의 위험성에 노출되어 있다. 또한 난방용 기기의 발생건수를 살펴보면 가정용보일러, 목탄난로, 석유난로, 가스난로/스토브, 전기스토브/히터 순으로 발생한 것으로 분석되었으며, 인명피해 별 건수는 가스난로/스토브, 석유난로 /곤로, 전기히터/스토브, 연탄/석탄난로 순으로 분석되었다. 또한 가스 및 석유관련 난방용기기가 발생빈도(frequency)는 낮지만 화재강도(intensity)가 높은 것으로 분석 되었다. 따라서 본 연구의 목적은 다중이용시설인 전통재래시장에서 아직도 많이 사용되고 있고, 실제 화재발생사례가 많은 석유난로와 전기스토브에 의한 발화 위험성 즉 최소발화온도, 탄화 정도와 그에 따른 열유속을 정상상태와 비정상상태 하에서의 가연물의 접촉 및 전도로 인한 화재 발생 가능성을 재연하여 검토해 봄으로서 보다 과학적인 화재조사 및 감식 접근방법을 강구하고자 하였다. 재연실험 결과 실험체 2종(석유난로/전기스토브) 모두 양호한 축열 조건이 만들어지지 않는 한 발화위험성은 극히 적은 것으로 나타났지만 탄화의 상태는 각 부위별로 진행되는 것으로 분석되었다. 결국 화재로의 전이는 축열에 의한 발화이므로 최소한 화재장소의 축열 온도조건이 $500^{\circ}C$ 이상일 때 발화되는 것으로 분석되었다. 특히 전기스토브의 발열체인 석영관인 경우 가장 짧은 시간 내(10sec)에 $600^{\circ}C$ 이상의 온도로 급 가열 되어 이때의 열유속은 6.26kW/m2으로 나타나 이는 보온된 PVC케이블이 손상과 함께 인체에는 2도 화상을 입히는 결과를 나타내는 것으로 분석 되었다. 아울러 온도 조건 이외에 거리변화에 따른 열량의 감소분을 나타내는 형태계수(Geometric View Factor)와 화재하중(Fire Load)에 따른 온도 변화도 고려되어야 할 중요한 변수임 알았다. 따라서 이에 관한 세심한 화재조사 및 감식의 매뉴얼이 있어야 할 것으로 사료되며 이러한 실험에 의한 과학적이고 합리적인 노력들이 향후 화재조사 및 감식에 대한 매뉴얼 작성과 이론적 토대를 세우는데 기여하기를 기대한다.

• 문화기술의 융합
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.195-200
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• 2019

본 연구는 성인대학생의 학업수월성 강화를 위한 모형을 제시하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 부산광역시와 대구광역시 및 경북에 위치한 2년제와 4년제 대학교에 재학 중인 성인대학생 408명을 대상으로 조사 및 분석하였다. 모형의 구성요소는 교육내용, 교육방법, 교육평가, 교육운영, 교육환경, 제도적 지원이며, 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 성인대학생이 선호하는 교육내용은 학위취득을 위한 다양한 학문적 지식 습득과 업무현장에서의 능력 개발을 위한 지식 및 기술 습득, 사회 전반의 이슈에 대한 새로운 정보 및 지식 습득이다. 둘째, 성인대학생이 선호하는 교육방법 중 교수자의 자질을 보면, 이론과 실무능력을 바탕으로 한 교수의 전문역량을 중시하였다. 선호하는 교수법은 강의법, 토의 토론, 액션러닝, 프로젝트 학습법 순이며, 효과적인 교수매체로는 동영상과 파워포인트를 선호하였다. 셋째, 성인대학생이 선호하는 교육과정 운영은 주말 운영이며, 학사학위 취득기간으로 3년을 선호하였다. 일일 학습 가능한 시간은 3시간~6시간이며, e-learning과 B-learning 및 선행학습경험인정제의 필요성을 나타냈다. 넷째, 성인대학생이 선호하는 교육평가 방법은 절대평가와 상대평가를 혼합한 절충방식이며, Pass or Non Pass 평가방법의 필요성도 나타냈다. 다섯째, 성인대학생이 선호하는 교육환경 중 대학선택의 내적요인은 새로운 지식과 기술 습득이며, 외적요인은 취업 및 직무향상과 관련된 많은 기회를 제공받기 원함이었다. 효과적인 수업을 제공하는 형태의 강의실은 고정 좌석 강의실이며, 교육환경 중 강의실 내부의 환경을 중요시하였다. 여섯째, 성인대학생이 선호하는 제도적 지원은 컴퓨터 활용 관련 프로그램과 학습동아리 지원서비스로 나타났다.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.65-88
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• 2004

In general, empowerment is defined as the motivational concept of autonomy and self-efficacy. Recently, the concept of empowerment is applied to improve organizational staff's job satisfaction and organizational commitment in many organizations. Empower-ment in service organizations, i.e., hospitals, has certainly generated more publicity than any other organizations. The objectives of this study are, first, to measure the degree of hospital employees' empowerment using Spreitzer(1995)'s empowerment theory, second, to analyze the causal relationship of organizational and job characteristics, a degree of empowerment, and organizational performance(job satisfaction and organizational commitment), and third, to offer the strategy for the improvement of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Spreitzer insists that the empowerment is composed of 4 dimensions(meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact). And he argues that various work-related characteristics is a direct cause of empowerment and the indirect cause of job satisfaction and organizational commitment, mediated by the empowerment latent variable. In order to perform this study, data were collected by self-administered questionnaires from hospital employees working in administrative department of 3 university hospitals in Inchon and Kyunggi-Do region. The number of cases is 181(response rate; 86%). The Collected data were analyzed with SPSS Ver. 10.0 and AMOSV Ver. 4.0. First, to test validity of variables, the factor analysis was used. Second, to test reliability, Cronbach's alpha coefficients was calculated. Cronbach's alpha of empowerment variable is 0.8323 showing that there's no problem in regard to the internal consistency. Also the Cronbach's alpha of other variables are 0.8301 of the degree of perceived control, 0.6705 of job characteristics, O.8787 of compensation, 0.9254 of job satisfaction, and 0.8389 of organizational commitment, respectively. Among the questions of job characteristics, two survey questions are deleted due to lowering the reliability. Third, to test multicollinearity and correlation of variables, the correlation analysis was performed. There was no problem of multicollinearity. Finally structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was conducted to find the causal relationship of organizational and job Characteristics, empowerment, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The 16 variables are included for the SEM analysis. The major results of this study are as follows: First, in the case of model fitness, the condition of x$^2$ statistic(92.187) is not fully satisfied, but the indices of GFI(0.912), AGFI(0.863), NFI(0.917) and CFI(0.928) are partially satisfied, which needs to upper 0.90. Second, in the result of hypotheses testing, all hypotheses are accepted and have a positive effect in 95% or 99% confidence interval(P<0.05 or P<0.001) except the effect of compensation variable on empowerment(P=0.082). Third, in regard to the direct, indirect, and total effect of variables, the direct effect of perceived control, task characteristics, and compensation on job satisfaction are 0.728, 2.264, 0.328 and on organizational commitment are 0.094, 1.411, 0.418, respectively. Also the indirect effect of perceived control, task characteristics, and compensation on job satisfaction are 0.311, 0.196, 0.028 and on organizational commitment are 0.210, 0.132, 0.019, respectively. Thus, these findings imply that various work-related factors are direct effect of empowerment and indirect effect of result variables, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Also These results showed that the workplace empowerment is significant mediating factor of employee's job satisfaction and organizational commitment.