• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2023

Occupational safety and health management expenses in the construction industry are statutory and separately included in the cost statement to prevent occupational accidents and health problems. The expenses are determined by multiplying the standard amount by the rate decided according to construction types and scales. However, the current expense appropriation method does not properly reflect the recent changes in the construction industry such as industry size, industry diversification, and social atmosphere about safety reinforcement. This study surveyed 1579 questionnaires in total and analyzed expense execution rate and proportion of each expense category. The expense execution rate was relative higher in complex construction (e.g., heavy construction = 126%, civil engineering = 125%) and long-period project (equal to or over 48 months construction = 133%) compared to general construction (98~116%) and short-period project (less than 48 months construction = 115%). The proportion of spending expenses was higher in the category of safety manager labor costs (25~52%), safety facility costs (22~40%), and personal protective equipment costs (10~25%). The analysis results of the study can be utilized in revising the standard expense appropriation method by reflecting the current usages of the occupational safety and health management expenses in the construction industry.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 2023

As advances in artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly approach areas once relegated to the realm of science fiction, there is growing public interest in using these technologies for practical everyday tasks in both the home and the workplace. This paper explores the applications of and implications for of using ChatGPT, a conversational AI model based on GPT-3.5 and GPT-4.0, in the field of occupational health and safety. After gaining over one million users within five days of its launch, ChatGPT has shown promise in addressing issues ranging from emergency response to chemical exposure to recommending personal protective equipment. However, despite its potential usefulness, the integration of AI into scientific work and professional settings raises several concerns. These concerns include the ethical dimensions of recognizing AI as a co-author in academic publications, the limitations and biases inherent in the data used to train these models, legal responsibilities in professional contexts, and potential shifts in employment following technological advances. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these issues and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on the responsible use of AI in occupational health and safety.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.226-233
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• 2022

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel aerosol-exposure protection (AP) mask in preventing coronavirus disease in healthcare professionals during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and to evaluate its clinical feasibility. Methods: In Study 1, three healthy volunteers volitionally coughed with and without the AP mask in a cleanroom. Microparticles were visualized and counted with a specific measurement system and compared with and without the AP mask. In Study 2, 30 patients underwent endoscopic resection with the AP mask covering the face, and the SpO2 was measured throughout the procedure. Results: In Study 1, the median number of microparticles in volunteers 1, 2, and 3 with and without the AP mask was 8.5 and 110.0, 7.0 and 51.5, and 8.0 and 95.0, respectively (p<0.01). Using the AP mask, microparticles were reduced by approximately 92%. The median distances of microparticle scattering without the AP mask were 60, 0, and 68 in volunteers 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In Study 2, the mean SpO2 was 96.3%, and desaturation occurred in three patients. Conclusion: The AP mask could provide protection from aerosol exposure and can be safely used for endoscopy in clinical practice.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2011

The incidence of asbestos-related diseases (ARD) has increased in the last four decades. In view of the historical use of asbestos in Singapore since the country started banning it in phases in 1989 and the long latency of the disease, the incidence of ARD can be expected to increase further. As occupational exposure to asbestos still occurs, preventive measures to eliminate ARD continue to be required to protect the health of both workers and the public from asbestos exposure. The majority of occupational exposures to asbestos at present occur during the removal of old buildings. Preventive measures have been utilized by different government ministries and agencies in eliminating ARD in Singapore over the past 40 years. These measures have included the enforcement of legislation, substitution with safer materials, and engineering controls during asbestos removal as well as improvements in personal hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment. The existing Workman's Compensation System for ARD should be further refined, given that is currently stipulates that claims for asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma be made within 36 and 12 months after ceasing employment.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing for the compliance of guidelines of preventing bloodborne infection for operating room nurses. Method: Data was collected through questionnaires from March 16 to April 12, 2005. The subjects of this study were consisted of 208 operating room nurses, who had been working at 4 university hospitals and 10 general hospitals in Busan. The Instrument for the compliance of guidelines for preventing bloodborne infection was 24-item questionnaire. It was revised based on the Standard Precaution of CDC and Bloodborne Pathogen Standards of OSHA. In addition, to find out the knowledge level of AIDS, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, 15-item questionnaire was used, which had been made by researcher based on Kim(1999) et, al. Results: The affecting factors of compliance for preventing bloodborne infection were work skill(${\beta}=.27$), operating room education on infection prevention(${\beta}=.25$), knowledge on infection(${\beta}=.19$), readiness of using personal protective equipment(${\beta}=.18$), and posting a notice of infected surgery patients(${\beta}=.16$). Theses 5 factors account for 28.5% on the compliance of guidelines for preventing bloodborne infection for operating room nurses. Conclusion: According to the results, to increase the compliance level of operating room nurses, personal efforts should be made to improve work skills and infection knowledge. In addition to organizational efforts on practical education and management of environment were required.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2020

This study examined the hygiene management of ultrasound probes by examining the cleaning tools for hygiene management of ultrasound probes, the presence or absence of wearing glove as a personal protective equipment, and the awareness of ultrasound probe hygiene. Parts 154 questionnaire about people working in the ultrasound room were surveyed and analyzed. The single gel removal tool of the ultrasound probe was most frequently used with a 48.7% cotton towel, and for double gel removal tools, the first gel removal tool was 42.4% cotton towel and the second gel removal tool was used with 57.6% wet tissue. Antimicrobial wipes were the most commonly used drug and instrument used in ultrasound hygiene management at 58.4%. According to the survey of the presence or absence of wearing glove during ultrasound examination, 46.8% were found to be unworn. When examining the intracavity ultrasound, 30.9% of those who do not wear glove and 61.0% of hygiene awareness of ultrasound probes are 'normal'. According to age, ultrasound probe gel removal tool was not significant difference(p>0.05). According to the working organization and the working department, it was significant difference to wearing gloves during ultrasound examination(p<0.05). Therefore, in order to properly sanitize the ultrasound probe, it is considered that a guideline for hygiene management of the ultrasound probe that fits the situation in Korea is necessary, and it is considered that thorough hygiene management training for inspector is necessary for efficient hygiene management of the ultrasound probe.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.537-542
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• 2020

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) has been designed in such a way to reduce accident rates. Unfortunately, existing PPE is rather ineffective as it is not able to provide warning signals when hazard is around. The integration of intelligent systems is envisaged to increase the efficiency of existing PPE. Methods: This project designed a safety vest incorporated with metal detectors which can provide immediate warning to the field workers when there is metal hazard around. This product has greater freedom of design via smart manufacturing as it involves the assembly of few commercially available parts into a single entity. Briefly, the metal detector is a do it yourself (DIY) kit, and the safety vest is purchasable from any local market. The DIY kit was connected to a copper coil and being sewed into the safety vest. Results: The metal detector induces beeping sound when there is metal hazard around. A total of 121 engineering students were introduced to the prototype before being requested to answer a survey associated with the design. Respondents have rated >3.00/5.00 for the design simplicity, ease of usage, and light weight. Meanwhile, respondents suggested that the design should be further improved by increasing the metal detection range. Conclusion: It is envisaged that the introduction of this smart safety vest will allow the workers to carry out their duties securely by reducing the accident rates. Particularly, such design is expected to reduce workplace accident especially during night time at construction sites where the visibility is low.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.238-246
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify pediatric nurses' attitudes to, and compliance with, standard precautions in the prevention of hospital infections by enhancing their practice of standard precautions. Methods: The participants were 206 nurses who worked in pediatric nursing departments of a general medical institution in Seoul. The questionnaire was a modification of Kim (2008) and consisted of 18 questions about hand washing, personal protective equipment, sharps, linen and patient care equipment. Collected data were processed using SPSS 15.0 WIN. Results: Mean scores for attitudes to standard precautions and for compliance with standard precautions were 4.43 (${\pm}0.83$) and 4.22 (${\pm}0.44$) respectively. This difference was statistically significant (t=3.368, p=.001). The nurses' compliance with standard precautions differed significantly according to the general characteristics of age (F=8.705, p<.001), total clinical experience (F=9.426, p<.001), current department experience (F=6.555, p<.001), and education experience (t=0.616, p<.043). There was a positive correlation between attitudes to, and compliance with, standard precautions (r=.156, p=.025). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that educational programs and policy on infection control and standard precautions for pediatric nurses are needed. Also these results should contribute to baseline data for establishing appropriate clinical policy on infection control.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2017

Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) potentially causes adverse health effects (e.g. respiratory symptoms, lung cancer). Due to a lack of data on Elemental Carbon (EC) exposure levels in underground copper ore mining (unlike other underground mining industries such as non-metallic and coal mining), this case study aims to provide individual miners' EC exposure levels, and information on their work practices including use of personal protective equipment. EC measurement was carried out during different work activities (i.e. drilling, driving a loader, plant fitting, plant operation, driving a Specialized Mining Vehicle (SMV)) as per NIOSH Method 5040. The copper miners were working 10 h/day and 5 days/week. This study found that the most significant exposures to EC were reported from driving a loader (range $0.02-0.42mg/m^3$). Even though there were control systems (i.e. water tanks and DPM filters) on the diesel vehicles, around 49.5% of the results were over the adjusted recommendable exposure limit ($0.078mg/m^3$). This was probably due to: (1) driver's frequently getting in and out of the diesel vehicles and opening the windows of the diesel vehicles, and (2) inappropriate maintenance of the diesel vehicles and the DPM control systems. The use of the P2 type respirator provided was less than 19.2%. However, there was no significant difference between the day shift results and the night shift results. In order to prevent or minimize exposure to EC in the copper ore mine, it is recommended that the miners are educated in the need to wear the appropriate respirator provided during their work shifts, and to maintain the diesel engine and emission control systems on a regular basis. Consideration should be given to a specific examination of the diesel vehicles' air-conditioning filters and the air ventilation system to control excessive airborne contaminants in the underground copper mine.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.66-79
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to derive the elements for effectively improving the management of emerging infectious diseases in the emergency room in large general hospitals. Methods: This research involved an analytic hierarchy process analysis of 10 experienced nurses working in a large general hospital located in the Seoul metropolitan area. The weighted values of the criteria for evaluating the importance of the management elements of patients with emerging infectious diseases in the emergency room of large general hospitals were derived using an analytic hierarchy process survey. Results: The results of the analytic hierarchy process analysis showed that experts considers responsiveness (0.291) as most important with respect to the criteria for the policy for isolation and control of infectious patients. The order of importance of the criteria for the policy for isolation and control of infectious patients were as follows: responsiveness (0.291), economical efficiency (0.257), feasibility (0.242), and sustainability (0.209). Subsequently, the weighted values of the management of the policy elements were determined based on the derived importance of the criteria mentioned above. These were, in order of priority, the construction of communication channels with the government authorities when dealing with emerging infectious diseases (15.9%), the equipment and provision of personal protective equipment to protect nurses from infection and dissemination of material (14.6%), and the operation of the isolation room and patient separation systems (14.1%). Conclusion: This study suggests critical strategies for infection control during a pandemic of emerging infectious disease.