• Title/Summary/Keyword: occupational health

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Evaluation of the Quality of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Based on Key Performance Indicators in Certified Organizations

  • Mohammadfam, Iraj;Kamalinia, Mojtaba;Momeni, Mansour;Golmohammadi, Rostam;Hamidi, Yadollah;Soltanian, Alireza
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.156-161
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    • 2017
  • Background: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems are becoming more widespread in organizations. Consequently, their effectiveness has become a core topic for researchers. This paper evaluates the performance of the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 specification in certified companies in Iran. Methods: The evaluation is based on a comparison of specific criteria and indictors related to occupational health and safety management practices in three certified and three noncertified companies. Results: Findings indicate that the performance of certified companies with respect to occupational health and safety management practices is significantly better than that of noncertified companies. Conclusion: Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001-certified companies have a better level of occupational health and safety; this supports the argument that Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems play an important strategic role in health and safety in the workplace.

A Study for Health Hazard Evaluation of Methylene Chloride Evaporated from the Tear Gas Mixture

  • Park, Seung-Hyun;Chung, Eun-Kyo;Yi, Gwang-Yong;Chung, Kwang-Jae;Shin, Jung-Ah;Lee, In-Seop
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.98-101
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    • 2010
  • This study explored the health hazard of those exposed to methylene chloride by assessing its atmospheric concentration when a tear gas mixture was aerially dispersed. The concentration of methylene chloride ranged from 311.1-980.3 ppm (geometric mean, 555.8 ppm), 30 seconds after the dispersion started. However, the concentration fell rapidly to below 10 ppm after dispersion was completed. The concentration during the dispersion did not surpass the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 'immediately dangerous to life or health' value of 2,300 ppm, but did exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists excursion limit of 250 ppm. Since methylene chloride is highly volatile (vapor pressure, 349 mmHg at $20^{\circ}C$), the post-dispersion atmospheric concentration can rise instantaneously. Moreover, the o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile formulation of tear gas (CS gas) is an acute upper respiratory tract irritant. Therefore, tear gas mixtures should be handled with delicate care.

A Descriptive Study of Occupational Health Services in Self-employed Enterprises (Nanoscale Enterprises), Shiraz, Iran

  • Jahangiri, Mehdi;Rostamabadi, Akbar;Yekzamani, Parvaneh;Abadi, Bahare Mahmood;Behbood, Fariborz;Ahmadi, Seyyedeh Fatemeh;Momeni, Zahra
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.7 no.4
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    • pp.317-321
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    • 2016
  • Background: This study was conducted with aim of providing an overview of the current status of occupational health services and identifying the most common harmful agents at workplaces of Iranian self-employed enterprises (Nano-Scale Enterprises). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among a random sample including 1,758 employees engaging in self-employed enterprises with 5 and less employees. Results: Coverage of occupational health surveillance was very poor, annual health examinations were been conducted only for 64 (3.64%) of males and 31 (1.76%) of females, and occupational health trainings were not included of the services at all. Personal Protective Equipment were available in 462 (26.3%) of the enterprises. only in 0.4% of the enterprises working processes were been equipped by a local exhaust ventilation system. Difficult postures were the most common (81.5%) adverse working conditions. Conclusion: This study revealed a poor level of the implementation of occupational health services in Iranian self-employed enterprises. Based on the findings, providing basic training on the occupational health, more enforcing in conduction of health examinations and providing PPE, and taking appropriate strategies aimed at eliminating or minimizing work environment harmful agents are the major factor that should be considered to improve the level of occupational health services among the studied enterprises.

Workplace Health Promotion in Thai Occupational Health Nursing

  • Surintorn, Kalampakorn
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.70-78
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    • 2004
  • The increase of health care expenditure for Thai worker calls for the need of workplace health promotion. The purpose of this article is to describe the status of workplace health promotion in Thailand, emphasizing the roles of occupational health nurse. Secondary data analysis and extensive literature reviews were conducted. Results showed that Thailand is committed with implementing health promotion concepts in various settings including workplace. Several public organizations have developed national workplace health projects with different strategies and approaches. Role of occupational health nurses in workplace health promotion has gradually expanded. The new law specifying the functions of occupational health nurse in providing comprehensive health services is in the process. Occupational health nursing standard as related to workplace health promotion has been developed. A research based case study on workplace health promotion program is also presented to elaborate the proactive roles of occupational health nurse. Findings of this study suggest the transitional roles of Thai occupational health nurses in which training and technical supports from related organizations are in need.

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A Study on the Necessity and Action Plan of Establishment of Occupational Safety and Health Executive in Korea (산업안전보건청의 설립 필요성과 추진방안에 관한 연구)

  • Jung, Jinwoo
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.1-12
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    • 2017
  • Objectives: The major objectives of this study are to review the requirements for the advancement of occupational safety and health administrative organization and to propose measures to establish an Occupational Safety and Health Executive. Methods: The problems of occupational safety and health administrative organization in korea were examined empirically and cases of occupational safety and health administrative organizations in developed countries were investigated (United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and Japan). A plan for establishing an Occupational Safety and Health Executive was proposed over the short and medium term. Results: An occupational safety and health administration is characterized by a professional and technical nature, and even more so in modern society. Therefore the greatest value required by an occupational safety and health administrative organization is expertise. In addition, administrative values it requires include efficiency, specificity, independence, and activity. The Korean occupational safety and health administrative organization has a number of problems in terms of these values. The most appropriate way to realize these values is to establish an Occupational Safety and Health Executive. It is desirable to establish such an Occupational Safety and Health Executive in a phased manner taking into consideration its relationship with Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA), including KOSHA's functional adjustment Conclusions: In order to solve the deep-seated problems in occupational safety and health administrative organization and to advance occupational safety and health administration in Korea, it is necessary to establish an Occupational Safety and Health Executive as a foundation for achieving an advanced industrial safety and health administration.

The Occupational Health Problems and its Priority for Solving in the Inchon Area (인천지역의 산업보건 문제와 그 해결의 우선순위)

  • Lee, Kyung-Jong;Cho, Myung-Hwa;Park, Chong-Yon;Shin, Dong-Chun;Roh, Jae-Hoon;Moon, Young-Hahn
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.25 no.2 s.38
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    • pp.189-198
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    • 1992
  • The purpose of this study was to compare the occupational health concerns and opinions among 4 groups : workers, employers and managers, government officials, and health & safety managers. It could help establishing occupational health plans efficiently and providing the way to solve health problems in workplaces in the Inchon area. The delphi technique which is used for deciding group opinion was adopted for this study. Questionnaires regarding health problems and their priorities in the workplaces were sent to four groups three times. All items were measured by five degree ordinal scales. The four groups agreed with questionnaire items, improvement of working environment, occupational health concerns of the employers, the health concerns of workers, and measurement and analysis of working environment, as the upper five priorities for solving the occupational health problems. Besides with the first five priorities, health examinations, health education, and occupational diseases were suggested as important health problems in workplace.

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Job Stress and Musculoskeletal Disorder in Seoul City's School Foodservice Employees (서울시 학교급식시설 조리종사자의 직무 스트레스와 근골격계질환)

  • Lee, Saerom;Kim, KyooSang;Kim, Eun-A;Kim, Jihye;Kim, Dohyung
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.245-253
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    • 2014
  • Purpose: School foodservice employees (SFEs) could be exposed to the risk of musculoskeletal disease and of job stress due to their job characteristics. This study was to evaluate the level of job stress and the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WRMS) in Seoul city's SFEs, and to determine associations between job stress and WRMS. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional, and 975 SFEs were recruited. Self-administered questionnaire included the 'Korean occupational stress scale-short form' and the 'KOSHA GUIDE H-9-2012' instrument to evaluate the job stress and WRMS, respectively. SFEs' medians of job stress were compared to the reference values of published study in Korean workers. Results: The participants reported greater levels of job demand and physical environment than the general Korean population. WRMS were reported in 89.0% of participants at any body part, and 41.1% were presumed to need for medical intervention. High levels of job demand and of physical environment were significantly associated with WRMS. Conclusion: Subscales of job demand and physical environment were relatively high in SFEs and those were related to the occurrence of WRMS. To reduce the WRMS prevalence, a job stress management program focused on job demand and physical environment may be required.

Nursing Guide for Occupational Health Nurses Working in Small-scale-enterprises (집단보건관리 산업간호사를 위한 간호업무 지침)

  • Yoo, Kyung Hae
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.68-83
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    • 1999
  • Occupational health nursing (OH N) guide book has been perceived as necessary since group occupational health services started. This study aimed to develop the guidebook for occupational health nurses working in small-scale enterprises(SSE). The guide area of nursing services was selected in 10 categories. These areas were 4 Workplace attitude for occupational health nursing', 'Nursing process', 'Workplace environmental monitoring', 'Personal protective devices', 'Record', 'Health counselling', 'Communication', 'Health education', 'Health screening' and 'Health promotion'. The content was mainly constructed with literature review. The pretest was done to find out what OH nurses do feel about their OH nursing services. Figures were used to guide some occupational health nursing services (OHNS). The further research was expected to develop in more extensive depth and quality.

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A Delphi Study on Plans to Revitalize Occupational Health Nursing at Industrial Worksites (직업건강간호 활성화 방안에 관한 델파이 연구)

  • Lee, Young Joo;Noh, Gyeongmin
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.90-100
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    • 2021
  • Purpose: The study aimed to identify plans to revitalize occupational health nursing at industrial worksites. Methods: First, a literature review was conducted to derive the questions. Next, we used the Delphi method with two rounds to obtain experts' opinions. The 15 expert participants were seven occupational health nurses and eight professors from nursing colleges. Results: The analysis of opinions indicated that occupational health nurses should be competent in clinical nursing care to perform health management and health promotion activities of workers. It is necessary to develop high-quality occupational nursing services that can prevent and manage occupational diseases and work-related illnesses. Moreover, an improved system for stable employment of these nurses should be implemented. Conclusion: This study confirmed that occupational health nursing is an independent and important area for improving workers' disease prevention and health promotion. It will provide basic data for initiating occupational health nursing and expanding the role of the occupational health nurses.