• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2012

Objective : This study conducted in rural areas, elderly services voucher business and leisure satisfaction survey based on data from the use of community-dwelling older people considering service needs was to find ways to take advantage of leisure time. Methods : Buyeo county residents in this study 71 patients were elderly, the characteristics of elderly gender, the presence of spouse, health status, education level, monthly living expenses, number of children, occupation, and the variables were included. Subjects' self-esteem, life satisfaction, quality of life, program satisfaction questionnaire for the survey were used, t-test and correlation analysis using the correlation between each factor were analyzed. Results : In a survey of participants in leisure activities, TV watching, meeting friends, such as phone calls to static and time-consuming activities were surveyed about satisfaction of the voucher business, the elderly oral health care services, health screening services, sports massage such as health-related services is relatively high degree of satisfaction. Conclusion : The results of this study of elderly people in rural communities through meaningful leisure time were utilized to determine what is lacking, a strong desire for health-related services that could be confirmed. Therefore, further experience and knowledge about activities by providing opportunities for meaningful leisure time needs to improve, and it based on a variety of programs to meet the needs of the elderly should be provided.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.286-293
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• 2022

Background: The death rate of workers due to industrial accidents in South Korea (3.61 persons in 2017) is higher than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development average (2.43) and the fifth highest among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. Although the pandemic of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed, the socioeconomic aspects of Korean society, the number of Koreans suffering accidents and the number of deaths in 2020 have increased. It is necessary to take measures to prevent accidents and make comprehensive efforts to return to work. This study proposes research questions about the effect of workers' positive perception on whether to work after accidents and the impact of the experience of rehabilitation services on the return to work. Methods: This research performed a panel logistic regression analysis using data on workers' compensation insurance in Korea for two years (2018-2019). Results: This research finds that workers' positive perceptions of workability and life satisfaction contributed affirmatively to their re-employment. Several factors related to employment (e.g., work period, the number of job qualifications) also positively affect their return to work. However, the experience of rehabilitation services did not have a significant effect on re-employment. The variables of their health conditions (e.g., disability grade, feelings of health problems, age) negatively influenced their return to jobs. Conclusion: These results suggest the importance of workers' mental recovery and the need to innovate rehabilitation services for their employment. Positive thinking and self-rehabilitation could be critical for workers, parallel with social welfare policies.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 2013

Purpose: To provide the data of health manager education program in order to improve the quality of work-sites health management with qualification based job analysis of health managers (Occupational Health Nursing, Industrial Hygienist, Environmental Engineer). Methods: A descriptive research on 132 health managers using IPA and SPSS/WIN. Results: The overall average of importance of health management job was 8.0 (10 being the maximum score). Nurses had significantly higher score in the level of importance per areas and health management jobs. The overall average of performance of health management job was 6.7 (10 being the maximum score). Nurses had higher score in the area of health management. IPA matrix distributions per health management job area showed the correlations in qualification backgrounds and all of 3 main areas. Conclusion: There was difference in the level of importance and performance on health management jobs based on the qualification backgrounds of health managers. To improve the health of workers, an integrated health management must be provided. And to provide this, it is necessary to offer the additional education to health managers with an institutional complementary plan.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.325-335
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• 2021

Chronic diseases have been increasing recently as the average life expectancy of humans has been extended, and this trend has caused problems such as the widespread demand for health and rehabilitation services and rising medical costs. In order to solve this problem, the community-based rehabilitation has been developed and strengthened in Korea and gradually promoted since 2019. It is important to secure access to clients who want to use services to revitalize community-based rehabilitation. So in this study, as part of the community-based rehabilitation, intends to devise smartphone applications designs and develop a prototype to secure access to community-based occupational therapy services based on occupation and activities. For Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF), International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and Allen Diagnostic Module-2 (ADM-2) were used to devise and categorize occupation and activity based application content, and link OTPF, ICF, and ADM-2 through prior research analysis and expert meetings. The derived content was visualized through literature review and activity analysis, and was implemented to enable direct playback within the application using the YouTube API, and finally developed a prototype application. The Android Studio 3.5.2 for Windows 64-bit was used to build the application prototype. In further research, converging various digital technologies for user convenience and additionally researching community-based occupational therapy service providers opinions and service user satisfaction will improve accessibility to community-based occupational therapy services for clients who have difficulty occupational performance in the community.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.372-380
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• 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the number of workers exposed to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) by industry and year in the Republic of Korea. Method: The estimates of workers potentially exposed to DEE in the Republic of Korea were calculated by industry on the basis of the carcinogen exposure (CAREX) surveillance system. The data on the labor force employed in DEE exposure industries were obtained from the Census on Establishments conducted by the Korea National Statistical Office from 1993 to 2013. The mean values of prevalence rates adopted by EU15 countries were used as the primary exposure prevalence rates. We also investigated the exposure prevalence rates and exposure characteristics of DEE in 359 workplaces representing 11 industries. Results: The total number of workers exposed to DEE were estimated as 270,014 in 1993 and 417,034 in 2013 (2.2% of the total labor force). As of 2013, the industry categorized as "Land transport" showed the highest number of workers exposed to DEE with 174,359, followed by "Personal and household services" with 70,298, "Construction" with 45,555, "Wholesale and retail trade and restaurants and hotels" with 44,005, and "Sanitation and similar services" with 12,584. These five industries, with more than 10,000 workers exposed to DEE, accounted for 83% of the total DEE-exposed workers. Comparing primary prevalence rates used for preliminary estimation among 49 industries, "Metal ore mining" had the highest rate at 52.6%, followed by "Other mining" with 50.0%, and "Land transport" with 23.6%. Conclusion: The DEE prevalence rates we surveyed (1.3-19.8%) were higher than the primary prevalence rates. The most common emission sources of DEE were diesel engine vehicles such as forklifts, trucks, and vans. Our estimated numbers of workers exposed to DEE can be used to identify industries with workers requiring protection from potential exposure to DEE in the Republic of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.126-137
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in gender related to health status, occupational environment, occupational safety and health and hazardous chemicals use of migrant workers in Korea. Method: The survey was conducted in clinics that provided free healthcare services for migrant workers. Of the 413 respondents, 66.3% were males and 33.7% were females. Result: In the case of male migrant workers, many worker were not fluent in Korean, had illegal status in the country, and had moved jobs frequently. There were many cases in which migrant workers worked in small-scale enterprises and worked long hours. Job stress score was high for many workers and they dealt with heavy materials and risky machines. Many workers had not received proper occupational health and safety education and those that were previously injured had repeated injuries. Among the female migrant workers, many worker received low salary and shift work was common. Many worker complained of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal illnesses and treated toxic substances. Conclusion: As a result, it will be necessary to focus on the strategies for decreasing occupational injuries from physical risk factors for males and from chemical risk factors for female migrant workers.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.348-354
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• 2011

Objectives: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Dental School of Prince of Songkla University to ascertain noise exposure of dentists, dental assistants, and laboratory technicians. A noise spectral analysis was taken to illustrate the spectra of dental devices. Methods: A noise evaluation was performed to measure the noise level at dental clinics and one dental laboratory from May to December 2010. Noise spectral data of dental devices were taken during dental practices at the dental services clinic and at the dental laboratory. A noise dosimeter was set following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration criteria and then attached to the subjects' collar to record personal noise dose exposure during working periods. Results: The peaks of the noise spectrum of dental instruments were at 1,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz which depended on the type of instrument. The differences in working areas and job positions had an influence on the level of noise exposure (p < 0.01). Noise measurement in the personal hearing zone found that the laboratory technicians were exposed to the highest impulsive noise levels (137.1 dBC). The dentists and dental assistants who worked at a pedodontic clinic had the highest percent noise dose (4.60 ${\pm}$ 3.59%). In the working areas, the 8-hour time-weighted average of noise levels ranged between 49.7-58.1 dBA while the noisiest working area was the dental laboratory. Conclusion: Dental personnel are exposed to noise intensities lower than occupational exposure limits. Therefore, these dental personnel may not experience a noise-induced hearing loss.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.226-235
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were differences in manufacturing industry worker's health issues depending on job stress, fatigue, and health and safety services. Methods: The purpose of the questionnaire survey and its contents were explained to manufacturing industry health personnel, and the questionnaires were collected from 666 workers from 17 manufacturing workplaces. Questionnaires with missing data were excluded from the analysis so a total of 632 questionnaires were included. Results: Overall, 74.1% of the respondents had experienced health issues during the preceding month. The factors affecting worker health were number of workers(OR=1.000034, p=.013), job demand(OR=1.82, p=.009), MFS(OR=1.85, p=.003), provision of safety & health information(OR=1.85, p=.048), wearing protector(OR=2.58, p=.021). Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen the safety and health education to mitigate hazardous and risk factors. Employers should provide health managers in charge of safety and health education to control workplace risk factors. In case of small businesses, it may be necessary to strengthen safety and health education in existing worker health centers and government support projects.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.127-137
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the jobs of paramedics who are diversifying by deriving duties in accordance with occupational group-related laws, although they are not directly specified in the job description of paramedics or the Emergency Medical Act. Methods: This study selected four paramedics who randomly extracted participants that submitted consent to participate between March 2023 and October 2023. Their occupational groups were the Korea coast guard and air rescue, health centers, and industries; they met on September 19, 2023, and directly transcribed the recorded contents through a three-and-a-half-hour focus group interview for analysis. Results: In the results, although the job description was not directly specified in the job description or emergency medical law, five areas of work applied to practice were derived: "rescue," "administration," "education," "industry," and "tactical." Conclusion: To expand jobs according to the diversification of the occupational field of paramedics, job analysis of paramedics belonging to various occupations is required.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2020

Background: Meta-analyses have shown firefighters to be at an increased risk of several cancer types. Occupational carcinogen exposure may explain these increased risks. This study aims to describe Norwegian fire departments' work conditions from 1950 until today, focusing on factors relevant for potential occupational carcinogen exposure. Methods: With the help of a reference group, we developed a questionnaire on topics related to occupational exposure to carcinogens for the period 1950-2018. Selected Norwegian fire departments provided department-specific responses. Results: Sixteen departments, providing fire services for 48% of the Norwegian population as of 2019 and mainly consisting of professional firefighters, responded to our questionnaire. The introduction of synthetic firefighting foams, more regular live fire training, the introduction of chemical diving, and a higher number of diesel-driven fire service vehicles were identified as changes thought to increase exposure to occupational carcinogens. Changes thought to decrease exposure included the switch from negative to positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses, the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses during all phases of firefighting, the use of ventilating fans during firefighting, increased attention to flammable materials used during live fire training, increased attention to handling and cleaning of turnout gear and other equipment, and installment of exhaust removal systems in apparatus bays. Conclusion: Norwegian fire departments' work conditions have seen several changes since 1950, and this could influence firefighters' occupational carcinogen exposure. A peak of carcinogen exposure may have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s before recent changes have reduced exposure.