• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제12권1호
• /
• pp.119-126
• /
• 2021

Background: During the period 2001 to 2016, the maximum temperatures in Thailand rose from 38-41℃ to 42-44℃. The current occupational heat exposure standard of Thailand issued in 2006 is based on wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) defined for three workload levels without a work-rest regimen. This study examined whether the present standard still protects most workers. Methods: The sample comprised 168 heat acclimatized workers (90 in construction sites, 78 in foundries). Heart rate and auditory canal temperature were recorded continuously for 2 hours. Workplace WBGT, relative humidity, and wind velocity were monitored, and the participants' workloads were estimated. Heat-related symptoms and signs were collected by a questionnaire. Results: Only 55% of the participants worked in workplaces complying with the heat standard. Of them, 79% had auditory canal temperature ≤ 38.5℃, compared with only 58% in noncompliant workplaces. 18% and 43% of the workers in compliant and noncompliant workplaces, respectively, had symptoms from heat stress, the trend being similar across all workload levels. An increase of one degree (C) in WBGT was associated with a 1.85-fold increase (95% confidence interval: 1.44-2.48) in odds for having symptoms. Conclusion: Compliance with the current occupational heat standard protects 4/5 of the workers, whereas noncompliance reduces this proportion to one half. The reasons for noncompliance include the gaps and ambiguities in the law. The law should specify work/rest schedules; outdoor work should be identified as an occupational heat hazard; and the staff should include occupational personnel to manage heat stress in establishments involving heat exposure.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제33권3호
• /
• pp.273-279
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Objectives of this study were: 1) to introduce industrial situation and health hazards of synthetic fiber, 2) to review a case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a worker exposed to synthetic fiber reported to the Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center, and 3) to suggest supplementary measures for the occupational health system for workers exposed to synthetic fibers. Methods: Respiratory exposure, health hazards, and exposure standards for synthetic fiber dust in Korea and other countries were reviewed. In addition, a case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to exposure to nylon dust reported to the Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center was reviewed and summarized. Results: The worker was a 53-year-old non-smoking male who had been involved in the nylon weaving process for 26 years. He had shortness of breath from three years ago. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. PM1.0, PM_2.5, and PM10 were measured at 26.6 ㎍/m³, 48.2 ㎍/m³, and 91.7 ㎍/m³, respectively. Fiber components estimated as nylon fiber were detected in the microscopic examination of a solid sample. Conclusions: For workers exposed to synthetic fiber dust, special health examinations of the respiratory system, regular work environment measurement, and work environment management through workplace health management should be performed. It is necessary to research on health effects of synthetic fibers.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제23권2호
• /
• pp.114-122
• /
• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed in order to investigate by questionnaire the factors affecting the occupational satisfaction of work-environment measurement workers, as well as to suggest fundamental materials for systematic, administrative and economic improvements which are necessary to create a vision for the future. Material and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used at a total of 152 institutions and 1,254 work-environment measurement workers throughout the country from February to September 2012. Responses came from 97 institutions (64%) and 941 work-environment measurement workers (75.1%). The factors affecting the job satisfaction of work-environment measurement workers were statistically evaluated through $x^2$-test and ordinal logistic regression analysis. Results: Major factors affecting the job satisfaction of workers in relation to work-environment measurement were working, financial, and psychological conditions (p<0.05). Conclusions: Considering the results of this study, the improvement of labor conditions should be undertaken because workers engaged in work-environment measurement are fundamental to occupational health.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제2권4호
• /
• pp.355-364
• /
• 2011

Objectives: Though sulfur dioxide (SO2) is used widely at workplaces, itseffects on humans are not known. Thresholds are reportedwithout reference to gender or age and occupational exposure limits are basedon effects on lung functioning, although localized effects in the upper airways can be expected. This study's aim is to determine thresholds with respect to age and gender and suggests a new approach to risk assessment using breathing reflexes presumably triggered by trigeminal receptors in the upper airways. Methods: Odor thresholds were determined by the ascending method of limits in groups stratified by age and gender. Subjects rated intensities of different olfactory and trigeminal perceptions at different concentrations of $SO_2$. During the presentation of the concentrations, breathing movements were measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography. Results: Neither age nor gender effects were observed for odor threshold. Only ratings of nasal irritation were influenced bygender. A benchmark dose analysis on relative respiratory depth revealed a 10%-deviation from baseline at about 25.27 mg/$m^3$. Conclusion: The proposed new approach to risk assessment appearsto be sustainable. We discuss whether a 10%-deviation of breathingdepth is relevant.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
• /
• 제22권4호
• /
• pp.285-294
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study aimed to explore professional autonomy, nursing work environment, and clinical decision making ability and to determine predictors of clinical decision making ability among clinical nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study and 263 clinical nurses were selected from advanced-level hospitals with over 500 beds located in D metropolitan city. Independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were done with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. Results: Clinical nurses reported moderate levels of professional autonomy, nursing work environment and clinical decision making ability. Marital status, professional autonomy and nursing work environment accounted for 25% of variance in clinical decision making ability required in various clinical settings. Importantly, being married, higher level of professional autonomy, and greater satisfaction with work environment were significantly associated with better decision making ability. Conclusion: Findings indicate that improving the quality of decision making in the healthcare settings requires awareness of the multiple effects of individual, occupational and environmental features. Nurses' ability to make effective clinical decisions may rely on personal characteristics, the degree of autonomy in their job, and nurses' satisfaction with their work environment.

• 한국전자거래학회지
• /
• 제20권1호
• /
• pp.201-215
• /
• 2015

정보화 시대를 넘어 융합의 시대로 나아감에 따라 고도화된 보안위협이 발생하고, 그에 따라 정보보호에 대한 필요성 및 중요성은 더욱 커져가고 있다. 그러나 그간의 국내 연구들은 정보보호 기술 직업군 위주의 단편적인 분류를 수행하고 있으며 미래 융합환경에 대한 고려가 부족한 실정이다. 따라서, 본 논문에서는 미래 융합환경에 대비한 정보보호 직업분류체계 및 필요역량을 설계하기 위해서 기존 정보보호 직업군 분류체계 및 직업군별 필요역량에 대한 선행연구 분석을 통해 정보보호 인력의 정의를 내린 후 직업군 분류를 실시하고 직업군별 필요역량을 도출하였다. 세부적으로 미래 융합환경에 대해 고려하여 정보보호 직업분류체계를 구성한 미국의 NICE(National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education)를 기반으로 하여 국내 실정에 적합한 형태로 직업군 및 직업군별 필요역량을 재분류하고 타당성을 검증하였다. 본 연구결과는 미래 융합환경에 적합한 정보보호 인력의 수급차 해소 및 처우개선을 위한 기초 자료로서 활용할 수 있을 것이다. 또한 향후 연구를 통해 정보보호 직업군별 필요역량을 이용하여 해당 직업군에 필요한 융합적인 직무역량을 습득할 수 있는 표준화된 교육 훈련방법을 마련하는데 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• 재활치료과학
• /
• 제11권4호
• /
• pp.41-53
• /
• 2022

목적 : 본 연구는 정신장애인의 직업재활 평가도구를 확인하고 분석함으로써 작업치료 영역에서 임상적으로 유용하게 활용할 수 있는 정신장애인 직업재활 평가도구의 개발을 위한 기초자료로 활용하는 것이다. 연구방법 : 문헌 검색은 Pubmed 데이터베이스를 사용하였으며, 분석 내용은 개발연도, 평가방식, 문항 수, 척도, 평가 문항을 분석하였다. 분석 방법은 각 평가 항목을 기능, 내적요인, 환경, 정신증상의 4가지 범주로 구분하여 각 평가도구의 평가 요소에 대해 파악하였다. 결과 : 검색어를 통한 Pubmed 검색 시 161개의 문헌이 검색되었고, 선정 방법에 따라 Griffiths Work Behavior Scale (GWBS), Occupational Functioning Scale (OFS), Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), Work Ability Index (WAI), Work Behaviour Inventory (WBI), Work Environment Impact Scale (WEIS), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS)의 7개 평가도구가 선별되었다. 모든 평가도구의 평가항목은 직무와 관련된 기능평가를 포함하였으며, 각 평가도구의 목적에 따라 내적요인, 환경, 정신증상에 대한 측정이 이루어지는 것으로 나타났다. 결론 : 직업 기술은 신체, 인지, 사회기술, 대처능력 등 다양한 기능이 복합적으로 작용하는 기술이다. 따라서 본 연구에서 분석한 기능, 내적요인, 환경, 정신증상의 4가지 요소가 포함될 필요가 있으며, 평가과정에서 발생하는 물리적 제약을 보완하기 위해 ICT 융합 평가도구의 개발함으로써 보다 효율적인 정신장애인 직업재활 평가가 이루어져야 할 것이다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
• /
• 제33권2호
• /
• pp.215-229
• /
• 2023

Objectives: To validate the effectiveness of a real-time chemical exposure monitoring system developed by KOSHA (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency), we applied the system to a workplace in the electronics industry for 153 days. Methods: The monitoring system consisted of a PID chemical sensor, a LTE communication equipment, and a web-based platform. To monitor chemical exposure, four sets of sensors were placed in two manufacturing tasks - inspection and jig cleaning - which used TCE as a degreasing agent. We reviewed previous reports of work environment measurements and conducted a new work environment measurement on one day during the period. The PID sensor systems detected the chemical exposure levels in the workplace every second and transmitted it to the platform. Daily average and maximum chemical exposure levels were also recorded. Results: We compared the results from the real-time monitoring system and the work environment measurement by traditional methods. Generally, the data from the real-time monitoring system showed a higher level because the sensors were closer to the chemical source. We found that 28% of jig cleaning task data exceeded the STEL. Peak exposure levels of sensor data were useful for understanding the characteristics of the task's chemical use. Limitations and implications were reviewed for the adoption of the system for preventing poisoning caused by chemical substances. Conclusions: We found that the real-time chemical exposure monitoring system was an efficient tool for preventing occupational diseases caused by chemical exposure, such as acute poisoning. Further research is needed to improve the reliability and applicability of the system. We also believe that forming a social consensus around the system is essential.

• 한국직업건강간호학회지
• /
• 제10권1호
• /
• pp.110-119
• /
• 2001

This study was performed to review applying the case management to the occupational health nursing as a cost-effective way for injured workers. The case management for injured workers is a comprehensive management system, which is composed of planning and implementing in cooperation with employee, employee' family, medical service provider team, employer and case manager, to provide high quality health services to employee and their family. The case management process for injured workers is similar to the nursing process. It thus appears that the occupational health nurse is best personnel to perform the role of case manager for injured workers in workplace. As a case manager in workplace. the occupational health nurse would be expected to get both knowledge and experiences, to get trusted from the employee and employer, and to expand professional domain in changing health care environment.

• 대한안전경영과학회지
• /
• 제6권1호
• /
• pp.11-23
• /
• 2004

The modem industrial society is developing while growing more diverse and gigantic. Accordingly, occupational injuries or accidents can be caused in various situations, not just in the limited range of workplaces but also in the surroundings, and interest has increased in the prevention of occupational accidents with respect to occupational health and safety, and environment. Thus, this thesis will consider 4MlE (Man, Machine, Method, Material, Environment) as the fundamental causes of accidents and introduce a model of system in which the output of the process control system is replaced by accidents with its input by 4M1E. Furthermore, it will demonstrate how occupational hazardousness can be measured, whereby it can also be rated, by examining the relationship between 4M1E and types of accident in terms of the categories of severity, frequency, and detectability, based on the application of the model to the framework of FMEA.