• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2016

Background: Noncompliance of operators with work procedures is a recurrent problem. This human behavior has been said to be situational and studied by many different approaches (ergonomic and others), which consider the noncompliance with work procedures to be obvious and seek to analyze its causes as well as consequences. Methods: The object of the proposed method is to solve this problem by focusing on the performance of work procedures and ensuring improved performance on a continuous basis. Results: This study has multiple results: (1) assessment of the work procedures' performance by a multicriteria approach; (2) the use of a continuous improvement approach as a framework for the sustainability of the assessment method of work procedures' performance; and (3) adaptation of the Stop-Card as a facilitator support for continuous improvement of work procedures. Conclusion: The proposed method emphasizes to put in value the inputs of continuous improvement of the work procedures in relation with the conventional approaches which adopt the obvious evidence of the noncompliance to the working procedures and seek to analyze the cause-effect relationships related to this unacceptable phenomenon, especially in strategic industry.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.647-660
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• 2001

Forming health care management model in small-scale enterprises was the purpose of this study. For the purpose, we tried to investigate the characteristics of small-scale enterprises and analyzed the pattern of their health care management. The results are as follow: 1. The strength of health managing agency and technical supporting program lies in team approach by specialized manpower. However, if the liaison between each part of the organization is not smooth, the overall management will be very difficult. 2. Small scale enterprises are characterized by their short life after the establishment, use of rental building, lack of welfare facilities, weakness in sanitary management and aggregation of factories of similar type of industry. Because of these characteristics, it is very difficult to solve problem basically, such as improvement of working environment. Therefore, it is important to focus on health education and community based approach. 3. Many workers in small-scale factories are in middle and old age. They have health problems mainly related to personal habits. Implementation of an appropriate health promotion program is needed. 4. The number of workplaces, which should be managed by health managing agent. is increasing rapidly. But the number of health managing agent is limited. In the aspect of the requirement of manpower and equipment, training personal agent is more urgent than founding institutional agent. 5. The uniform method of health management hampers the choice of employer and workers. The types of provision of health management should be diversified. 6. For an efficient management, a frequent visit of personal agent and the following referral to a specialist should be done. The specialists in charge of secondary management are from the field of occupational medicine, occupational hygiene, ergonomics, etc. 7. The health management of small-scale facilities should have six components. They are community-based approach, multi-disciplinary cooperative system, program based on the need of recipient, forming partnership of employer and worker, change of lifestyle, and evidence-based program.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2006

Predicting energy expenditure (EE) is important to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The problem to predict EE is that the standard of EE is based on western data. The authors checked average EE by job categories to provide basic data for suggesting proper work intensity for Korean workers. This study was conducted from 2003 to 2005. Study subjects were recruited from 4 car parts assembly plant, 2 car assembly plant, 2 Heavy machine manufacturing plant and 2 shipyards. Total study subjects were 515 male workers. To estimate VO2max, sub-maximal test was conducted to measure VO275%max by bicycle ergometer (Combi Co, Aerobike 75XL II). Heartbeats were recorded with heartbeat recorder (Polar Electro Co, Finland, S810) during work. EE of work was calculated by recorded heartbeat and individual regression equation which was derived from sub-maximal test. Subjects were classified into 4 industry and 8 work posture, 23 job task categories. Mean EEs (S.D.) according to industry classification (kcal/min) were 4.9 (0.7), 4.8 (0.7), 4.9 (0.7), 5.0 (0.9), and 4.0 (0.5) for Car Part manufacture, Car Assembly, Ship Building, Heavy Machinery Manufacture, and Hospital Office, respectively. The results suggest that Korean male workers of exceeding to the NIOSH criteria will be needed to plan for job rescheduling to maintain $worker^{\circ}$Øs health. Further study to establish Korean work intensity standard would be needed.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2014

Purpose. Because traditional statistics approach had limitations in learning future forecasting and major factors causing occupational injuries in each industry, this paper develops a model forecasting and evaluating occupational injury rate by using a system dynamics model through the analysis of the industry injury statistics and the project for industry injury prevention. Method. The model of this paper consists of 12 total models such as a model of employees, of industrial disaster victims, of injury rate, etc.; In the analysis of firm size, it is classified and developed according to 12 groups on the basis of the number of employees, and in the analysis of industrial classification, it is done according to 10 total business fields such as manufacturing business, construction one, etc. Results. This paper suggests the methodology which forecasts industry injury rate by business field and size on the basis of developed model, and evaluates an industry injury prevention project from various angles. Conclusions. This paper deduced problem through the analysis of an industry injury by business fields and a comparative analysis of foreign cases, and analyzed to affect industry injury prevention by industry. And it also analyzed actual condition of industry injury, and did a difference in the level of safety consciousness according to the general characteristics of workers and occupational safety and health education related characteristics. In result, this paper suggests that analyzing occupational injury related factors, a safety budgetary allocation, and industry injury related factors can reduce illness costs such as employees' injury and medical care, and also assist cost for a disability.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.191-197
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• 2014

Background: Disabling fatigue is common in the working age population. It is essential that occupational health (OH) professionals are up-to-date with the management of fatigue in order to reduce the impact of fatigue on workplace productivity. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of one-day workshops on OH professionals' knowledge of fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and their confidence in diagnosing and managing these in a working population. Methods: Five interactive problem-based workshops were held in the United Kingdom. These workshops were developed and delivered by experts in the field. Questionnaires were self-administered immediately prior to, immediately after, and 4 months following each workshop. Questionnaires included measures of satisfaction, knowledge of fatigue and CFS, and confidence in diagnosing and managing fatigue. Open-ended questions were used to elicit feedback about the workshops. Results: General knowledge of fatigue increased significantly after training (with a 25% increase in the median score). Participants showed significantly higher levels of confidence in diagnosing and managing CFS (with a 62.5% increase in the median score), and high scores were maintained 4 months after the workshops. OH physicians scored higher on knowledge and confidence than nurses. Similarly, thematic analysis revealed that participants had increased knowledge and confidence after attending the workshops. Conclusion: Fatigue can lead to severe functional impairment with adverse workplace outcomes. One-day workshops can be effective in training OH professionals in how to diagnose and manage fatigue and CFS. Training may increase general knowledge of fatigue and confidence in fatigue management in an OH setting.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the changes in stress, occupational stress, and subjective health problems of novice female nurses within the first 18 months of work. Methods: This was a longitudinal study conducted with a secondary data analysis based on the Shift Work Nurse's Health and Turnover (SWNHT) study. The participants were 178 female novice nurses who participated in all 3 data collection activities (on the first day of orientation before ward placement [T0], 6 months after work [T1], and 18 months after work [T2]). The stress, occupational stress, 8 subjective health problems (upper musculoskeletal pain, leg/foot discomfort, depression, anxiety or emotional disorder, sleep disturbance, headache, gastrointestinal disorder, menstrual disorder, and others), and the greatest health problem during the study period were measured, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 to obtain descriptive statistics. Results: The subjective health of novice female nurses were found to be poor at T1 compared to T0 on both physical (upper musculoskeletal pain, leg/foot discomfort, and sleep disturbance) and psychological health problems (depression and stress). However, the psychological health problems of the participants were alleviated at T2 whereas; physical health problems persisted until T2. Conclusion: Novice nurses had poor health problems 6 months after work. Sleep disturbance and musculoskeletal pain persisted although other health problems such as depression and stress were alleviated over the period. Strategies to prevent and manage different health problems of novice female nurses at different work duration are urgently needed.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.134-145
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting clinical nurses' presenteeism. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in which participants completed self-report questionnaires that consisted of measures for nurses' job satisfaction, job stress, professionalism and presenteeism. 267 nurses working in general hospital participated in this study. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate predictors of the presenteeism in clinical nurses. Results: 250 nurses experienced one or more health problems last one month. The group who experienced presenteeism during the last one year had significant differences in professionalism and perceived productivity. Predictors of sickness presenteeism in clinical nurses included work experience, total health problem and last 1 year absenteeism. Last 1 year absenteeism and total health problem were strongly related to presenteeism in clinical nurses. Conclusion: Major findings of this study indicated that in dealing with nurses' presenteeism, not only managing nurses' job stress and job satisfaction but also providing flexible work schedule and increasing staffing level as an organizational approach are necessary to be considered. Further repeated and expanded research is needed to explore the multidimensional aspects of nurses' presenteeism including a broad range of work setting and the influence of Korean nurses' organizational culture on presenteeism.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.218-226
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• 2017

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the impact of post-traumatic stress and ways of stress coping on problem drinking in firefighters. Methods: Data were collected from May 11 to June 11, 2015, in fire brigades across South Korea. Participants were 183 male firefighters who used self-report questionnaires containing questions from the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data were analyzed using $x^2$ test, t-test, and logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: The prevalence of PTSD among firefighters was 36.7% and that of problem drinking was 39.3%. Firefighters with single (OR=0.23, 95% CI=0.038~1.321) and married status (OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.069~3.040) were less likely to have problem drinking than those who were divorced or bereavement. Those with invasion symptoms (OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.031~1.327) and hyperarousal symptoms (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.722~0.989) were more likely to have problem drinking than those with avoidance symptoms. Conclusion: Post-traumatic stress symptom was a major risk factor that increased problem drinking, and married status reduced problem drinking. There is a need to develop post-traumatic stress symptom management program and early education content for symptom management.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 2013

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the gender differences in the relationship between alcohol use behaviors and the risk of metabolic syndrome among Korean adult population. Methods: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (5th, 2010) was analyzed. Using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, subjects were classified into 4 groups including non-drinking, low-risk drinking, medium-level alcohol problem, and high-level alcohol problem group. Metabolic syndrome and its components were compared among the alcohol behavior groups by gender. Results: The odds ratio vs. non-drinking group for metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in male medium and high-level alcohol problem group. In female, high-level alcohol problem group showed significantly higher odds ratio for metabolic syndrome. Blood pressure and HDL-cholesterol were likely to be higher with the excessive drinking behaviors in both men and woman. Triglyceride level in men was significantly higher in the medium and high-level alcohol problem group than non-drinking group. Although fasting glucose level did not show differences among drinking groups, the odd ratios vs. non-drinking group for the hyperglycemia (${\geq}$ 100mg/dl) were significantly higher in female drinking groups. Conclusions: Problematic alcohol drinking is likely to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2016

Background: Occupational risk management is known as a catalyst in generating superior returns for all stakeholders on a sustainable basis. A number of companies in Ghana implemented health and safety measures adopted from international companies to ensure the safety of their employees. However, there exist great threats to employees' safety in these companies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of compliance of Occupational Health and Safety management systems and standards set by international and local legislation in power producing companies in Ghana. Methods: The methodology is conducted by administering questionnaires and in-depth interviews as measuring instruments. A random sampling technique was applied to 60 respondents; only 50 respondents returned their responses. The questionnaire was developed from a literature review and contained questions and items relevant to the initial research problem. A factor analysis was also carried out to investigate the influence of some variables on safety in general. Results: Results showed that the significant factors that influence the safety of employees at the hydroelectric power plant stations are: lack of training and supervision, non-observance of safe work procedures, lack of management commitment, and lack of periodical check on machine operations. The study pointed out the safety loopholes and therefore helped improve the health and safety measures of employees in the selected company by providing effective recommendations. Conclusion: The implementation of the proposed recommendations in this paper, would lead to the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses of employees as well as property damage and incidents in hydroelectric power plants. The recommendations may equally be considered as benchmark for the Safety and Health Management System with international standards.