• 제목/요약/키워드: occupational environment

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장애학생 접근성 확보를 위한 편의시설 현황연구 -전북 소재 4년제 대학을 중심으로- (A Study on the Convenient Facilities for Accessibility to disabled student of 4-year university campus in Jeollabukdo)

  • 장명화;정성학;이민규;배선영
    • 한국산학기술학회논문지
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    • 제17권4호
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    • pp.283-295
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    • 2016
  • 본 연구는 전북소재 4년제 대학교 6개를 선정하고, 각 대학의 편의시설을 매개시설, 내부시설, 위생시설, 안내 및 기타시설로 나누고 각 시설이 편의증진법의 세부기준에 적합한지를 조사하였다. 그 결과 대학교 편의시설은 전반적으로 편의증진법 기준에 미치지 못하는 수준이었으며, 편의증진법 기준에 맞더라도 이용의 불편함과 관리 부족 등으로 인해 장애학생들에게 적합한 환경을 제공하지 못하는 것으로 평가되었다. 본 연구결과를 통한 대학 내 보편적 설계에 기초한 편의시설의 기준 적합도를 높이며, 수요자 중심의 고등고육환경 발전을 위한 편의시설 개선과 확충을 위한 논의점이 제시되었다.

Knowledge and Experiences of Risks among Pupils in Vocational Education

  • Andersson, Ing-Marie;Gunnarsson, Kristina;Rosen, Gunnar;Aberg, Marie Mostrom
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제5권3호
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    • pp.140-146
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    • 2014
  • Background: Young male and female workers are over-represented in statistics concerning negative outcomes of poor work environment and risky work. Young workers often have low awareness of risk, a lack of safety training, and inadequate introduction to the work. The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge and experiences of pupils of vocational schools concerning potential work environment risks in their future work. Methods: The study design was a dual one, and included a questionnaire and focus group interviews. The study group consisted of 239 pupils from 10 upper secondary schools, who were graduating pupils in four vocational programs: the Industrial Technology Programme, the Restaurant Management and Food Programme, the Transport Programme, and the Handicraft Programme (in which students specialize in wood products). The upper secondary schools were located in the central region of Sweden. Results: The pupils had limited knowledge that employers must, by law, conduct risk analyses and prevent risks. Many felt that they themselves are mainly responsible for performing their tasks safely. Pupils in all programs mentioned acute risk as the greatest risk at work. The theoretical education about safety at work was provided in the $1^{st}$ year of the 3-year vocational programs. Conclusion: A systematic approach to pupils' training in work environment, which is a basis for a safe and healthy workplace, is lacking. The study findings indicate that pupils are offered knowledge far from that intended by laws and by state-of-the-art occupational health risk research.

Workplace Violence and Safety Issues in Long-Term Medical Care Facilities: Nurses' Perspectives

  • Fasanya, Bankole K.;Dada, Emmanuel A.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제7권2호
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    • pp.97-101
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    • 2016
  • Background: Workplace violence (WPV) is becoming an issue that needs immediate attention in the United States, especially during this period as more states are adopting the "stand your ground laws to promote worker protection." This study was conducted to investigate how WPV has contributed to an unsafe environment for nurses and nursing assistants who work in long-term medical care facilities. Methods: A structure questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Three facilities were sampled and 80 nurses and certified nursing assistants participated in the study. Ninety-two percent (n = 74) were female and 8% (n = 6) were male. Approximately 62% were black or African American, approximately 33% were Caucasians, and only 2% were from other ethnicities. Results: We found that 65% of the participants had experienced WPV while 41% believed that management shows little or no concern for their safety. Approximately 23% of respondents believed that reporting supervisor's WPV act is an unsafe action. In addition, 22% of those who reported that they have experienced WPV believed that the work environment is not safe to perform their duties. This significant difference in perception of workplace safety between those who had experienced WPV and those who had not was significant (t = 3.95, df = 158, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: WPV is an epidemic problem that affects all health-care professionals. The findings of this study could help long-term medical care facilities' management identify the areas to focus on mitigating, controlling, and/or eliminating incidents of WPV.

Factors that determine the Work Ability Index of street cleaners

  • Kim, Jung Won;Yang, Seonhee;Chung, Insung;Lee, Mi-Young
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • 제36권3호
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    • pp.219-224
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    • 2019
  • Background: Korea has shown a rapid pace of aging and has become an aged society in a shorter period than Western countries. Therefore, it is important that middle-aged workers maintain their ability to work in the industrial field at the maximum level while maintaining their health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting work ability and to use this data to maintain the working ability of middle-aged workers in the future. Methods: From 2015 to 2017, we surveyed 371 street cleaners who visited a health center for health promotion in a metropolitan city. The relationship between the general characteristics of the survey subjects and the Work Ability Index (WAI) was confirmed by a univariate analysis. Statistically significant (p<0.2) factors were selected and a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted with WAI scores as a dependent variable. Results: Age, body mass index, body fat percentage, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Korea (AUDIT-K) scores, the Psychosocial Well-Being Index-Short Form (PWI-SF) scores, maximal oxygen consumption ($VO_{2max}$), and hypertension showed statistically significant correlations with the WAI in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the $VO_{2max}$, AUDIT-K scores, and PWI-SF scores were included in the regression equation. $VO_{2max}$ had the greatest effect on the standardization coefficient indicating the relative contribution of independent variables, followed by the AUDIT-K scores and the PWI-SF scores. Conclusion: Programs to increase workers' physical work ability and alleviate psychosocial stress and drinking habits should be developed and implemented in the future.

박물관내 실내공기오염물질의 분포 특성 실태조사 (A Survey on Characteristics of Distribution for Indoor Air Pollutants in Museum Environments)

  • 김윤신;노영만;윤영훈;이철민;김기연;김종철;전형진;심인숙
    • 보존과학연구
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    • 통권28호
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    • pp.91-104
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    • 2007
  • The goal of this study was to provide basic data for arrangement of management in museum environment. We investigated characteristics of distribution on indoor air pollutants at exhibition halls and storages in museums between July and August, 2007. The monitoring carried out at three cultural sites, Pusan, Daejeon and Kyungjoo which is possessed their own exhibition hall and storage in Museums. We adopt the several pollutants for this survey such as $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ $CO_2$, Formaldehyde, TBC, CO, $NO_2$, Rn, VOCs, $O_3$ and followed the standard method of Ministry of Environment, Korea for sampling and analysis, respectively. The results of this survey revealed that average concentration of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ in storages were $117.3{\mu}g/m^3$ and $92.6{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The average concentration in storages of gases pollutants and microorganism such as $CO_2$, Formaldehyde, $NO_2$, Rn, TVOC, $O_3$, and TBC showed as: 788.8ppm, $30.7{\mu}g/m^3$, 0.4ppm, 6.4ppb, $1.3pCi/{\ell}$, $1,374.9{\mu}g/m^3$, 2.4ppb, and $119.4cfu/m^3$, respectively. In addition, average concentration of $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ in exhibition halls were $49.5{\mu}g/m^3$ and $56.1{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The average concentration in exhibition halls of gases pollutants and microorganism such as $CO_2$, Formaldehyde, $NO_2$, Rn, TVOC, $O_3$, and TBC showed as: 475.2ppm, $94.1{\mu}g/m^3$, 0.3ppm, 12.4ppb, $0.3pCi/{\ell}$, $1,179.1{\mu}g/m^3$, 5.2ppb, 2.4ppb, and $24.8cfu/m^3$, respectively.

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Microbial Exposure Assessment in Sawmill, Livestock Feed Industry, and Metal Working Fluids Handling Industry

  • Park, Hyun-Hee;Park, Hae-Dong;Lee, In-Seop
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제1권2호
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    • pp.183-191
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    • 2010
  • Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of bioaerosols in industries suspected to have high levels of bioaerosol exposure. Methods: We selected 11 plants including 3 livestock feed plants (LF industry), 3 metal working fluids handling plants (MWFs industry), and 5 sawmills and measured total airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, as well as dust. Airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with one stage impactor, six stage cascade impactor, and gelatin filters. Endotoxins were measured with polycarbonate filters. Results: The geometric means (GM) of the airborne concentrations of bacteria, fungi, and endotoxins were 1,864, $2,252\;CFU/m^3$, and $31.5\;EU/m^3$, respectively at the sawmills, followed by the LF industry (535, $585\;CFU/m^3$, and $22.0\;EU/m^3$) and MWFs industry (258, $331\;CFU/m^3$, and $8.7\;EU/m^3$). These concentrations by industry type were significantly statistically different (p < 0.01). The ratio of indoor to outdoor concentration was 6.2, 1.9, 3.2, and 3.2 for bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, and dust in the LF industry, 5.0, 0.9, 2.3, and 12.5 in the MWFs industry, and 3.7, 4.1, 3.3, and 9.7 in sawmills. The respiratory fractions of bioaerosols were differentiated by bioaerosol types and industry types: the respiratory fraction of bacteria in the LF industry, MWF industry, and sawmills was 59.4%, 72.0%, and 57.7%, respectively, and that of fungi was 77.3%, 89.5%, and 83.7% in the same order. Conclusion: We found that bioaerosol concentration was the highest in sawmills, followed by LF industry facilities and MWFs industry facilities. The indoor/outdoor ratio of microorganisms was larger than 1 and respiratory fraction of microorganisms was more than 50% of the total microorganism concentrations which might penetrate respiratory tract easily. All these findings suggest that bioaerosol in the surveyed industries should be controlled to prevent worker respiratory diseases.

Emerging Zoonoses: the "One Health Approach"

  • Rabozzi, Giulia;Bonizzi, Luigi;Crespi, Eleonora;Somaruga, Chiara;Sokooti, Maryam;Tabibi, Ramin;Vellere, Francesca;Brambilla, Gabri;Colosio, Claudio
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제3권1호
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    • pp.77-83
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    • 2012
  • Zoonoses represent a public health risk recently pointed out by the spreading of previously unknown human infectious diseases emerging from animal reservoirs such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and avian influenza caused by H5N1-virus. These outbreaks have shown that animal breeding activities can pose a significant public health risk. Until now, the risk of zoonoses has probably been underestimated, particularly in occupational settings. The emergence or re-emergence of bacterial (Mycobacterium bovis and Brucella spp) or viral (hepatitis E virus) infections shows that zoonoses should be considered as emerging risks in agricultural and animal breeding and should be addressed by specific preventive interventions. Close cooperation and interaction between veterinarians, occupational health physicians and public health operators is necessary, for a worldwide strategy to expand interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. This is what the One Health Approach was intended to be.

Essential Occupational Safety and Health Interventions for Low- and Middle-income Countries: An Overview of the Evidence

  • Verbeek, Jos;Ivanov, Ivan
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제4권2호
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    • pp.77-83
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    • 2013
  • There is still a considerable burden of occupational diseases and injuries in the world. It is not well known which interventions can effectively reduce the exposures at work that cause this burden. The objective of this article is to summarize evidence from systematic reviews of interventions to prevent occupational diseases and injuries. We included systematic reviews of interventions to reduce the incidence of work-related cancer, dust-related diseases, occupational asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, noise induced hearing loss, back pain, and occupational injuries. We searched Medline and Embase with predefined search strategies to locate systematic reviews of these interventions. We found 23 systematic reviews of which the results are also applicable to low- and middle income countries. Effective measures to reduce exposure leading to work-related cancer, dust-related diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, noise, and injuries are available. However, better implementation of these measures is needed. Regulation, enforcement of regulation, and incentives for employers are effective interventions to achieve this goal. There is evidence that feedback and rewards for workers help in reducing occupational injuries. There is no evidence in many studies that back pain can be prevented. Personal protective equipment technically has the potential to reduce exposure but this is difficult to put into effect. There is no evidence in the studies regarding the effectiveness of education and training, preventive drugs, or health examinations. There is evidence that the implementation of technical measures enforced by regulation can prevent occupational diseases and injuries. For other interventions such as education or health examinations, there is no evidence that supports their effectiveness. More systematic reviews are needed in the area of injury prevention.

Occupational Safety and Health Among Young Workers in the Nordic Countries: A Systematic Literature Review

  • Hanvold, Therese N.;Kines, Pete;Nykanen, Mikko;Thomee, Sara;Holte, Kari A.;Vuori, Jukka;Waersted, Morten;Veiersted, Kaj B.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제10권1호
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    • pp.3-20
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    • 2019
  • This review aimed to identify risk factors for occupational accidents and illnesses among young workers in the Nordic countries and to attain knowledge on specific vulnerable groups within the young working force that may need special attention. We conducted a systematic review from 1994 to 2014 using five online databases. Of the 12,528 retrieved articles, 54 met the review criteria and were quality assessed, in which data were extracted focusing on identifying occupational safety, health risk factors, and vulnerable groups among the young workers. The review shows that mechanical factors such as heavy lifting, psychosocial factors such as low control over work pace, and organizational factors such as safety climate are all associated with increased injury risk for young Nordic workers. Results show that exposures to chemical substances were associated with skin reactions, e.g., hand eczema. Heavy lifting and awkward postures were risk factors for low back pain, and high job demands were risk factors for mental health outcomes. The review identified young unskilled workers including school drop-out workers as particularly vulnerable groups when it comes to occupational accidents. In addition, apprentices and young skilled workers were found to be vulnerable to work-related illnesses. It is essential to avoid stereotyping young Nordic workers into one group using only age as a factor, as young workers are a heterogeneous group and their vulnerabilities to occupational safety and health risks are contextual. Politicians, researchers, and practitioners should account for this complexity in the education, training and organization of work, and workplace health and safety culture.

작업환경측정 신뢰성평가제도 개선방안에 관한 연구 (tudy on the Improvement of Reliability Assessment of Work Environment Measurement in Korea)

  • 황규석
    • 한국산업보건학회지
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    • 제29권1호
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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.