• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.339-345
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• 2021

Background: Some researchers state that they are not yet able to provide a deep understanding of the underlying causes of unsafe behaviors (UBs). Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the attitudes and experiences of Iranian workers of UBs. Methods: This present study was conducted in 35 industries using a semistructured interview based on grounded theory. Forty participants were interviewed, including 13 industrial safety and health experts and 27 workers and supervisors. The analysis of the present study consisted of a three-step coding process including open, axial, and selective coding. Results: The results showed that the factors affecting UBs could be classified into three categories: organizational, individual, and socioeconomic factors. Organizational factors were divided into 6 parts: procedure and environmental conditions, communications, monitoring, organizational safety culture, resource allocation, and human resources. Socioeconomic factors had three subcategories: community safety culture, type of organizational ownership, and economic problems. Finally, the individual factors were classified into two categories of personality traits and individual competence. Conclusion: The results showed that organizational factors were the most categorized, and it is estimated that this factor has a more important role in the UBs. Of course, to better understand the close relationship between these factors and find the weight and importance of each factor, it needs to measure it with multicriteria decision systems.

• 재활치료과학
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.51-64
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• 2022

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 뇌성마비 섭식장애 평가의 영역을 수립함과 동시에 뇌성마비 섭식장애 평가 시 범용적으로 사용할 수 있는 평가 항목을 개발하고자 한다. 연구방법 : ICF 분류기준에 근거하여 섭식장애 중재에 포함되어야 하는 평가 및 치료 영역 등을 문헌 고찰하여 평가영역을 종합하고, 전문가의 검증을 거쳐 델파이 조사지 초안을 제작하였다. 그 후 20명의 전문가를 대상으로 1차 및 2차 델파이 연구가 진행되었다. 결과 : 뇌성마비의 섭식 영역을 6개 영역으로 범주화하고, 항목을 구성하였다. 전문가 자문을 통하여 평가 영역 및 항목들을 체계화하였으며, 전문가 자문을 거친 평가 영역과 항목들은 1차, 2차 델파이 조사를 통하여 6개 영역, 9개의 중분류, 32개의 소분류, 76개의 항목으로 최종 확인되었다. 결론 : 본 연구에서는 특정 영역을 평가하는 항목 구성으로 된 기존의 평가도구에서 벗어나 평가 영역 확장 및 평가 항목을 체계적으로 구성하였다는데 의미가 있다고 할 수 있다. 따라서 본 연구결과를 바탕으로 섭식장애를 가진 뇌성마비 아동의 치료적 중재 활동 시에 아동의 현재 섭식 기능 및 활동 수준을 확인하고자 하는 작업치료사에게 유용하게 사용될 것으로 판단된다.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• 제35권
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• pp.26.1-26.15
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• 2023

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in incidence rates of targeted diseases by classification of occupations among construction workers in Korea. Methods: In a subject-based cohort of the Korean Construction Worker's Cohort, we surveyed a total of 1,027 construction workers. As occupational exposure, the classification of occupations was developed using two axes: construction business and job type. To analyze disease incidence, we linked survey data with National Health Insurance Service data. Eleven target disease categories with high prevalence or estimated work-relatedness among construction workers were evaluated in our study. The average incidence rates were calculated as cases per 1,000 person-years (PY). Results: Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes had the highest incidence rate of 344.08 per 1,000 PY, followed by disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue for 208.64 and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue for 197.87 in our cohort. We especially found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more common in construction painters, civil engineering welders, and civil engineering frame mold carpenters, asthma in construction painters, landscape, and construction water proofers, interstitial lung diseases in construction water proofers. Conclusions: This is the first study to systematically classify complex construction occupations in order to analyze occupational diseases in Korean construction workers. There were differences in disease incidences among construction workers based on the classification of occupations. It is necessary to develop customized occupational safety and health policies for high-risk occupations for each disease in the construction industry.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.169-174
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• 2014

We have been examining the issue of healthcare workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs for nearly a decade and have observed that there appears to be more publications on the subject matter originating from Europe than from North America. The concern is that findings from Europe may not be generalizable to North America because of differences in handling practices, regulatory requirements, and training. Our objective was to perform a literature review to confirm our observation and, in turn, identify gaps in knowledge that warrants addressing in North America. Using select keywords, we searched for publications in PubMed and Web of Science. All papers were initially classified according to the originating continent and then categorized into one or more subject categories (analytical methods, biological monitoring, occupational exposure, surface contamination, and probability of risk/exposure). Our review identified 16 papers originating from North America and 55 papers from Europe with surface contamination being the subject matter most often studied overall. Based on our results, we are of the opinion that North American researchers need to further conduct dermal and/or urinary drug contamination studies as well as assess the exposure risk faced by healthcare workers who handle antineoplastic drugs. Trends in exposure levels should also be explored.

• 한국화재소방학회논문지
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.139-146
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• 2015

본 연구는 소방공무원들의 임파워먼트 수준과 사회적지지 수준이 직무스트레스와 직무스트레스 하위요인들에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 대구 경북지역 소방공무원 230명을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시하였다. 연구결과는 전체 조사대상 소방공무원들의 사회적지지 수준이 높을수록, 임파워먼트 수준이 높을수록 직무스트레스는 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 직무스트레스 하위요인들 중 특히 직무자율성은 임파워먼트에 의해서만 영향을 받았고 보상부적절과 직장문화는 사회적지지의 영향을 가장 크게 받았다. 그 외 근무경력과 출동횟수가 직무스트레스와 직무스트레스 하위요인들에 유의한 영향을 미치는 변수로 나타났다. 직무특성에 따른 집단별 직무스트레스 수준에 대한 분석의 결과는 화재분야가 구급분야보다 유의하게 높은 직무스트레스를 보였으며 주당 4-7회 출동횟수가 주당 8회 이상 출동횟수보다 유의하게 높은 직무스트레스를 나타내었다. 연구결과에 따라 사회적지지와 임파워먼트 증대를 초점으로 하는 직무스트레스와 세부직무스트레스 관리 프로그램 개발을 제안하였다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.304-310
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• 2021

Background: Healthcare settings have been recognized among the most hazardous places to work. Based on the five categories of occupational hazards that were identified by the ILO and WHO, this study aimed to analyze policy framework relevant to occupational health protection of health workers (HWs) in public health service in China, then discussed how to share the experience of the National Health Service (NHS) England for improvement. Methods: Based on policy learning theories, policy analysis and qualitative interview were used in this study. Results: In the Chinese public health service, at least five laws related to the regulation of occupational health protection for HWs; however, enforcement of relevant laws was separated and multi-centered; the national monitoring system, which targeted to occupational hazards and health outcome for HWs in China, had yet to be developed; the top three priorities were workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, and musculoskeletal disorders; national strategies included Security Hospital, and Healthy China 2030. In NHS England, three laws were fundamental; several monitoring systems had been set up, including NHS Staff Survey, Commissioning for Quality and Innovation incentive scheme; mental health, musculoskeletal problem, and nutrition disorder and overweight were raised great concern; Health and Safety, and NHS Healthy Workforce Program were critical nationwide strategies. Conclusion: There were several similarities as well as differences between the Chinese public health system and NHS England, which laid foundation of learning by China. Recommendations of improving occupational health policies in China were provided, based on the lessons learned from the NHS England.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.117-125
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• 2022

Background: External-cause mortality is an important public health issue worldwide. Considering its significance to workers' health and inequalities across industries, we aimed to describe the state of external-cause mortality and investigate its difference by industry in Republic of Korea based on data for 2018. Methods: Data obtained from the Statistics Korea and Korean Employment Information System were used. External causes of death were divided into three categories (suicide, transport accident, and others), and death occurred during employment period or within 90 days after unemployment was regarded as workers' death. We calculated age- and sex-standardized mortalities per 100,000, standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) compared to the general population and total workers, and mortality rate ratios (RRs) across industries using information and communication as a reference. Correlation analyses between income, education, and mortality were conducted. Results: Age- and sex-standardized external-cause mortality per 100,000 in all workers was 29.4 (suicide: 16.2, transport accident: 6.6, others: 6.6). Compared to the general population, all external-cause and suicide SMRs were significantly lower; however, there was no significant difference in transport accidents. When compared to total workers, wholesale, transportation, and business facilities management showed higher SMR for suicide, and agriculture, forestry, and fishing, mining and quarrying, construction, transportation and storage, and public administration and defense showed higher SMR for transport accidents. A moderate to strong negative correlation was observed between education level and mortality (both age- and sex-standardized mortality rates and SMR compared to the general population). Conclusion: Inequalities in external-cause mortalities from suicide, transport accidents, and other causes were found. For reducing the differences, improved policies are needed for industries with higher mortalities.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.401-407
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• 2022

Background: The present study aimed to digitally evaluate the risk of overwork-related adverse effects (OrAEs) among employees from various occupational categories in Taiwan. Methods: Anonymous data of employees from seven companies/factories providing occupational health services were analyzed. The studied population comprised 5505 employees, and the data analyzed included employment duration, working hours, shift work schedules, and health checkup results. The risk for OrAEs was assessed by an index, Karo index (0-4, the larger the value, the higher the risk for OrAEs) obtained using a risk matrix made up of cardiocerebral and occupational risk factors. Karo index values of 3 and 4 were categorized as at high risk for OrAEs (h-OrAEs). Results: The 5505 employees had an average employment duration of 8.5 years and a mean age of 39.4 years. The prevalence rates for h-OrAEs of the seven companies/factories ranged from 3.9% to 34.2%. There were significant differences in prevalence rates for h-OrAEs between employees of retail stores and high-tech manufacturing factories. Multivariate analysis results indicated that workers of high-tech manufacturing factories had significantly higher risk for h-OrAEs compared with retail store workers. Conclusion: In terms of satisfying health risk management and legal requirements in Taiwan, the newly issued Karo index, which covers a wide range of occupational risk factors, can serve as an assessment and a warning tool for managing the risk of OrAEs in workplaces. To reduce risks for h-OrAEs, active and prudent control of cerebrocardiovascular risks and working hours is recommended.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.53-58
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• 2024

Background: As social distancing persists and interest in work-life balance grows, more companies are adopting flexible work policies. While there have been studies on sleep disorders associated with different types of work, such as shift work, research exploring the relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders is still limited, particularly among Korean workers. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey, focusing on 31,243 paid workers out of a total of 50,538 participants. We defined flexible workers as those who set their own working hours. Sleep disorders were divided into three categories: 'difficulty falling asleep,' 'frequent waking during sleep,' and 'waking up feeling exhausted and fatigued.' Using scores derived from three specific symptoms, the Minimal Insomnia Symptoms Scale (MISS) was calculated to assess the prevalence of insomnia. We used chi-square tests to analyze demographic and job-related differences. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify any relationship between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders. Results: Significant differences were found between flexible and non-flexible workers regarding age, income level, education level, and job type. Flexible workers reported sleep-related symptoms significantly more often. The odds ratio for insomnia was 1.40 (95% CI 1.21-1.61). For males, the odds ratio was 1.68 (1.36-2.08). Conclusion: This study establishes a correlation between flexible work schedules and sleep disorders among Korean salaried workers. Potential causes could include changes in circadian rhythm, increased work demands, and extended working hours. To precisely determine causality and associated diseases, further research is required.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.313-322
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify novice nurses' experience of turnover. Methods: Data were collected from June to August, 2014 through in-depth interview and E-mail. Twelve novice nurses with turnover experiences were selected through snowball sampling method. All interviews were recorded with MP3 recorder and transcribed for analyzing by Van Kaam method of phenomenology. Results: The results were divided into 4 categories, 20 themes, and 119 formulated meaning related to turnover experience. These four categories were 'Excessively heavy working environment', 'Relationship problem', 'Physical/emotional withdrawal', and 'Realizing the absence of goal in job'. Conclusion: The result of this study will offer anticipatory information to understand of novice nurses' difficulties and to prevent their turnover. And these findings can be used for nursing administrators to design a turnover prevention program more effectively for nurses.