• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2021

Objectives: Inhalation toxicity testing of chemical substances to identify carcinogenicity requires a long time and considerable cost, so the selection of test candidates is a very important aspect. This study was performed to determine optimal procedures for selecting carcinogenic inhalation toxicity test substances as conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI). Methods: At the beginning, a database was constructed containing complex information such as usage amount, hazard, carcinogenicity prediction, and testability in order to select chemicals requiring carcinogenicity testing. Selection of test substances was carried out with priority given to usage, carcinogenicity, and testability. Results: Chemicals used in large quantities in industrial fields and strongly suspected of carcinogenicity were winnowed down to 12 substances, and these substances were scheduled for future testing by OSHRI. Conclusions: For the stable and reliable operation of carcinogenicity tests as conducted by OSHRI, this study standardized the procedures for selecting carcinogenicity test substances and suggested the introduction of various carcinogenicity prediction techniques.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2019

Objective: This study analyzed the status of the application of trade secrets in MSDSs according to size and type of industry. The contents of the MSDS non-public approval policy are summarized. We suggest proactive improvement requirements related to the operation of the MSDS non-public approval policy. Methods: To review this subject, we selected 153 manufacturers and six importers in such fields as organic chemical production. The trade secrets application status and ratio (%) of MSDSs by industry size and industry classification were investigated. Improvements toward a proactive system related to the operation of the MSDS non-public approval policy under the Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA) were summarized. Results and Conclusions: According to the results, the trade secret ratio in MSDSs by industry size was 33% in workplaces with less than 50 employees, 23.1% in workplaces with more than 50 but less than 100 workers, 73% in workplaces with more than 100 workers, and 83.4% in workplaces with 300 or more workers. For the trade secret writing rate for MSDSs by industry, the highest was MOCCP (Manufacture of ink, paint, coating and similar products) at 80.9%. MOC (Manufacture of other chemicals) was the lowest at 16.2%. We propose four proactive efforts to minimize the administrative burden of implementation of the MSDS non-public approval policy. The results of this study can be used as basic data for policy improvements to make more effective use of MSDS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide technical information about the management of occupational exposure limits(OELs) for substances with completely revised ACGIH TLVs. Methods: The history of ACGIH TLVs for aluminum compounds, the reason for the complete revision of the related ACGIH TLV in 2008, and OELs for them in respective countries were reviewed. In addition, the results of a 2019 work environment assessment for aluminum compounds in Korea were reviewed. Results: In 1979, the ACGIH set up the TLVs for aluminum compounds considering types of compounds such as metal dust, pyro powders, welding fumes, soluble salts, alkyls, and aluminum oxide. However, in 2008 the ACGIH withdrew the TLVs for all types of aluminum and its compounds and adopted new TLVs for aluminum metal and insoluble compounds. This can cause confusion in many countries in the management of exposure to aluminum compounds because they adopt or refer to the ACGIH TLVs. Conclusion: Although Korea is setting occupational exposure limits by referring to the ACGIH's TLVs, it is necessary to sufficiently review whether it is necessary to accept the TLVs as they are if a TLV is completely changed, like took place with the revision of aluminum compounds in 2008.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.45-50
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• 2013

Resorcinol is widely used as a wood, tire adhesives, and a raw material of synthetic dye. This material with white crystals at room temperature, the particulates in the air can form explosive mixtures. It is known to be an explosion hazard when exposed to heat in a confined space. The study was evaluated fire and explosion characteristics of the resorcinol through thermal analysis, thermal stability, dust explosion characteristics, and the minimum ignition energy. From this study, it can be used to provide a safety information in the using and handling process of the resorcinol.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.336-342
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• 2022

Background: This study aims to identify the safety and health risk perceptions toward the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic based on gender in Korean university students who work and study during the pandemic. Methods: A nationwide convenient sampling method was implemented to eliminate any regional characteristics in 757 university students, including those who studied while working. The participants answered the online questionnaire for one week. The collected data were analyzed using the R version 3.4.1 program. Results: The results comparing the safety and health risk perceptions toward COVID-19 based on the gender of the subjects who work while studying, "I often use the Internet to obtain information on COVID-19 infection control" are females appeared to use the internet more often (t = -2.18, p = 0.031) than males. "Compared to pre-COVID-19, I am currently feeling safe after the outbreak" is females felt less safe (t = 3.43, p < 0.001). Although COVID-19 infection control awareness is high among Korean university students and officials, males reported higher scores over females in all the questions, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: There should be prioritized psychological measures for prevention against COVID-19 for vulnerable groups with high mental health risks. A network must be established to protect the mental health of such groups, and candidates who require intervention must be actively identified and supported. Therefore, there must be efforts to deliver accurate information based on scientific evidence of the infectious disease, and the actions should be supported through such active communication.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2021

Objectives: The necessity of samples for analysis requested by working environment monitoring institutes (WMIs) has grown recently. The collection of samples of a few chemical substances requested by WMIs is allowed under the current occupational safety and health act in Korea, leading to an expansion of samples for analysis requested by institutes (SRIs). The objective of this study was to identify the number of institutes for analyzing requested samples (IARS), SRIs, and their participation in a non-mandatory proficiency test. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by all WMIs. The collected information was quantity of analysis equipment, sorting of chemicals from SRIs, and the number of SRIs. This was compared in terms of the participation in the non-mandatory proficiency test. Results: All WMIs in Korea responded to the survey, establishing a 100% response rate. There were 52 (29%) IARS among the 179 WMIs in Korea. The total number of samples of acid for ion chromatograph (IC) analysis requested by WMIs was 21,165, which is the most. Even the number of IARS for crystalline silicon oxide was less than other top-five IARS. The total amount of samples was 13,863, which was the second most. The calculated participation score for IARS was significantly higher than other WMIs (p<0.001). According to participation in the non-mandatory proficiency test by type of substance, such as crystalline silicon oxide and formaldehyde among IARS, the number of SRIs from those IARS was significantly higher than IARS that did not participate in the proficiency test (p<0.05). Conclusions: IARS had a high frequency of participation in the non-mandatory proficiency test and the number of SRIs at IARS participating in the proficiency test was higher among IARS. With the revision of the occupational health and safety act in Korea, the number of IARS participating in the non-mandatory proficiency test might increase.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2023

Background: Occupational health services are not available for more than 80% of the global workforce. This pertains especially to informal workers, workers in agriculture and in small enterprises, and self-employed. Many are working in hazardous conditions. The World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the International Commission on Occupational Health, and the World Organization of Family Doctors promote as part of a solution, basic occupational health services (BOHS) integrated in primary or community health care. Quality information on this topic is difficult to find. The objective of this study is to develop an open access bibliography, a repository, referring to publications on BOHS and similar innovations, to support progress and research. Methods: The database design and sustaining literature searches (PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO) are described. For each publication selected, basic bibliographic data, a brief content description considering copyright restrictions, and a hyperlink are included. Results: Searches resulted in a database containing 189 references to publications on BOHS such as articles in scientific journals, reports, policy documents, and abstracts of lectures. A global perspective is applied in 43 publications, a national or regional perspective is applied in 146 publications. Operational and evaluative research material is still scarce. Examples of references to publications are shown. Conclusion: The repository can inspire pioneers by showing practices in different countries and can be used for reviews and in-depth analyses. Missing publications such as from China, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Spanish/Portuguese speaking countries, can be added in the future, and translated. Search functions can be developed. International collaboration for the promotion of occupational health coverage for all workers must be intensified.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.160-165
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• 2013

Background: Occupational accidents are unplanned events that cause damage. The socio-economic impacts and human costs of accidents are tremendous around the world. Many fatalities happen every year in workplaces such as electricity distribution companies. Some electrical injuries are electrocution, electric shock, and burns. This study was conducted in an electricity distribution company (with rotational 12-hour shift work) in Iran during an 8-year period to survey descriptive factors of injuries. Methods: Variables collected included accident time, age of injured worker, employment type, work experience, injury cause, educational background, and other information about accidents. Results: Results indicated that most of the accidents occurred in summer, and 51.3% were during shift work. Worker negligence (malpractice) was the cause of 75% of deaths. Type of employment had a significant relationship with type of injuries (p < 0.05). Most injuries were electrical burns. Conclusion: High rate of accidents in summer may be due to the warm weather or insufficient professional skills in seasonal workers. Shift workers are at risk of sleep complaints leading to a high rate of work injuries. Acquiring knowledge about safety was related to job experiences. Temporary workers have no chance to work all year like permanent workers, therefore impressive experiences may be less in them. Because the lack of protective equipment and negligence are main causes of accidents, periodical inspections in workshops are necessary.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.333-342
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• 2022

Purpose: This study proposes a plan for linking the Severe Accident Punishment Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Management System so that SMEs can meet the requirements of the Severe Accident Punishment Act only by maintaining and implementing the Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Method: Conduct a theoretical approach, such as a literature review. First, as a theoretical approach, the safety and health management system of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act was examined, the requirements of ISO 45001 were analyzed, and the statistics of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 5 to 49 to which the 2024 Serious Accidents Punishment Act was applied and the number of accident deaths were investigated. Result: No problems were found in linking with the Serious Accident Punishment Act when constructing Occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 45001). Conclusion: It is judged that the establishment of Occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 45001) and management of implementation performance will be able to satisfy the Act on the Punishment of Serious Disasters.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.363-371
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of information regarding health and safety risks on the subjective health status of workers using data from the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey. Methods: Among the survey respondents, 30,094 people classified as salaried workers, of which 8,513 (28.3%) used protective equipment. Results: Although the majority of workers using protective equipment reported being well-informed about safety and health risks, 15% of them were still insufficiently informed. Multivariate analyses have shown that the subjective health status of workers using protective equipment was significantly better if they received sufficient information. When the workers using protective equipment were classified by the kinds of hazards they were exposed to, the satisfaction of information was also significantly beneficial for the subjective health status of all groups. However, in workers who did not use protective equipment, information satisfaction did not appear to be a significant factor. Conclusion: These results suggest that when providing information on safety and health risks, it is necessary to focus on workers using protective equipment, for whom the effects of the policy are clearly expected.