• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2020

Background: Residential and commercial cleaning is a part of our daily routine to maintain sanitation around the environment. Health care of professionals involved in such cleaning activities has become a major concern all over the world. The present study investigates the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in professional cleaners involved in floor mopping tasks. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 132 mopping professionals using a modified Nordic questionnaire. The Pearson correlation test was implemented to study the association of perceived pain with work experience. The muscle strain and postural risk were evaluated by means of three-channel electromyography and real-time motion capture respectively of 15 professionals during floor mopping. Results: Regarding musculoskeletal injuries, risk was reported majorly in the right hand, lower back, left wrist, right shoulder, left biceps, and right wrist of the workers. Work experience had a low negative association with MSDs in the left wrist, right wrist, right elbow, lower back, and right lower arm (p < 0.01). Surface EMG showed occurrence of higher muscle activity in upper trapezius and biceps brachii (BB) muscles of the dominant hand and flexor carpi radialis and BB muscles of the nondominant hand positioned at the upper and lower portion of the mop rod, respectively. Conclusion: Ergonomic mediations should be executed to lessen the observed risk of musculoskeletal injuries in this professional group of workers.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.113-121
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• 2015

This study aims to examine the risk of electrical fire in places where electric heat wires are used. In general, the use of electric heating wires is becoming more common and prevalent in a bid to prevent increasing damage caused by freezing and bursting in residential water pipes, factory pipes and irrigation pipes in vinyl greenhouse and a variety of heat wire products are available in market with legal safety requirements imposed on them. However, the widespread use of anti-freezing burst heat wire products has caused increasing incidents of fire, which often fail to be incorporated into statistics due to quick onsite extinguishing and insignificant damage although damage is gradually on the rise. Against this backdrop, this study aims to look into the possibility of ignition caused by electric heat wires and the mechanism of how it turns into catching fire through overheat and short circuit tests for anti-freezing burst electrical heat wires (hereinafter called the 'heat wire') and expects to serve as the basis for further observations and analyses on the cause of fire and the process of ignition in a scientific manner.

• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.65-83
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to conceptually define "spatial inclusivity" and empirically examine the impact of disability severity and spatial inclusivity on social participation among individuals experiencing physical discomfort. The social and spatial environment of the residential area is crucial for individuals with disabilities who face limited activity range and complex barriers due to physical constraints. In this study, spatial inclusivity from the perspective of people with disabilities is defined as establishment of equal relationships with non-disabled individuals within the local community, as well as the availability of basic facilities and services in a safe urban space that allows for access and utilization. This concept consists of three dimensions: individual networks, social environment, and physical environment. The physical environment encompasses safety levels, natural environment, living environment, public transportation conditions, medical services in residential areas. We used the 2019 Community Health Survey to examine the relationship between disability severity, spatial inclusivity, and social participation using a two level regression model. The findings are as follows: Firstly, personal relationships at the individual level and the physical environment at the local level have a positive impact on social participation. Secondly, when identifying dividing the physical environment into five sub-factors, no significant influence of individual factors is found. Thirdly, trustworthy and friendly social environment at the local level has a negative impact on social participation. These results provide empirical evidence that spatial inclusivity has an effect on the social participation of individuals with disabilities and suggest implications for urban planning to create and enhance conditions for the social participation of individuals with disabilities.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2021

Radiological impact analyses were carried out for a near-surface radioactive waste repository at Gyeongju in South Korea. The RESRAD-ONSITE code was applied for the estimation of maximum exposure doses by considering various exposure pathways based on a land area of 2,500 ㎡ with a 0.15 m thick contamination zone. Typical influencing input parameters such as shield depth, shield materials' density, and shield erosion rate were examined for a sensitivity analysis. Then both residential farmer and industrial worker scenarios were used for the estimation of maximum exposure doses depending on exposure duration. The radiation dose evaluation results showed that 60Co, 137Cs, and 63Ni were major contributors to the total exposure dose compared with other radionuclides. Furthermore, the total exposure dose from ingestion (plant, meat, and milk) of the contaminated plants was more significant than those assessed for inhalation, with maximum values of 5.5×10-4 mSv·yr-1 for the plant ingestion. Thus the results of this study can be applied for determining near-surface radioactive waste repository conditions and providing quantitative analysis methods using RESRAD-ONSITE code for the safety assessment of disposing radioactive materials including decommissioning wastes to protect human health and the environment.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.125-133
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• 2012

Objectives: We used participatory mapping as a tool for empowerment training for promoting health and safety of farmers. We would like to introduce the application of participatory mapping method and report our experiences in a rural community in Korea. Methods: A one-day workshop was offered in six rural villages which were designated as 'safe farm zones'. Each workshop started with an orientation session, followed by a village rounding, presentations of best cases, a group exercise to draw and present a healthy village map. Participants were requested to express their ideas and experiences about healthy and safe residential and working environments on their map. Results: A total of 206 farmers(100 male, 106 female) participated in the workshops. In each workshop, an average of 34.3 farmers participated, and their mean age was 59 years. In the six workshops, the participants proposed a total of 137 action plans. The action plans included improvement of co-working condition, building facilities for recreation, improving traffic safety measures, and improving residential environment. Conclusions: Participatory mapping was successfully developed and applied as a tool for empowering Korean farmers. The participants were able to express their ideas and thoughts about healthy and safe village and action plans on the map. Moreover, some of the actions in the action plans were carried out immediately after workshop.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2016

In recent rural areas, unlike the past, the young population is increasing with the growth of the agricultural industry and the quality of life-focused trend. Therefore, the rural areas need to more actively respond to the housing demands of the young generations. In this regard, this study aimed to research the housing conditions of the households with children and identify any problems. The study targeted 16 families with children in Deokpo-ri, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon Province. The research was conducted based on the on-site case study, specifically face-to-face in-depth interview and on-site monitoring using the checklist by residential spaces. The research findings are as follows: The discovered issues include the storage size and safety issues in the movement space, failure to provide the space tailored to the characteristics of the children and the insufficient size and storage space in the living space and the size and safety issues in the sanitary space. Overall, it was identified that small and insufficient storage space in the house pointed out as the main issue in this research was getting the residents' life more uncomfortable and unreasonable, and the activities of the children made their parents do unnecessary behaviors and stressed out during the process of childrearing. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the space arrangement considering the organizing system, caring system and the behavioral characteristics of the children during the process of child-rearing.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.49-59
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• 2022

Mt. Umyeon is a low-altitude mountain near a residential area, and the actual forest area is not large due to the fact that development for use as a living green space is being completed and in progress across the mountain, so the buffering action for landslides was weak. The unit was located at the top of Mt. Umyeon, and there were reports of contents related to the military unit in some accident areas. Some experts suggested that the landslide that started on the cut side of the unit could be one of the causes of the landslide at Mt. Umyeon. It is presumed that there was a sudden collapse of trees that had fallen due to erosion inside the valley. In the case of the Umyeon landslide, localized torrential rain is the biggest cause, but the fact that it suffered a lot of damage is the result of no preemptive measures. In particular, it can be said that the damage was caused by the concentration of residential and commercial facilities due to the unplanned urban expansion without prior review of the feng shui geography of settlement areas. The important lesson we have learned is that we should recognize nature as living things and live in harmony and coexistence between humans and nature through understanding and cooperation. Adapting to changes in the environment can survive, but if it doesn't, it will be slaughtered. As such, geography influences changes in feng shui. Changes in feng shui have a profound effect on not only humans but also the natural ecosystem.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.1-17
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• 2011

This study aimed to analyze health promotion villages from the perspective of therapeutic architecture, and to provide basic information for planning relevant health facilities. On the basis of a review of previous literature, the characteristics of therapeutic architecture were classified into eight categories: safety, comfort, sociality, autonomy, openness, diversity, privacy, and natural environment. Field study and observation were performed in four health promotion villages that conduct programs for lifestyle improvement, physical fitness, and treatment; these villages were also considered to have a healthy residential environment. The researcher and three assistants visited the facilities and checked utilization of space through interviews with the staff and guided tours. Basic information about the subject facilities, such as the purpose of establishment, was gathered from websites before visits. Two of the villages examined in this study had a traditional Korean wooden structure, while the other two were reinforced concrete and masonry block structures. All the facilities emphasized the use of environmentally friendly material and harmony with nature. Each site was divided into the following areas: office, residence, health/treatment, public/rest, and outdoor. The safety standards of the healing architecture were not completely satisfactory at all facilities. In particular, it was found that they lacked adequate universal design equipment. However, the healing characteristics of autonomy and diversity were strong. With regard to autonomy, the facilities allowed visitors to select indoor-outdoor moving lines and the use of front- and backyards constructed on slopes. In addition, they were equipped with many entries, staircases, void, terraces, and crossroads. The architecture was aesthetically designed using feng shui symbolism, and visitors found the scenes depicted in various spaces in the villages to be stimulating. Besides, the facilities were constructed using natural materials, had a natural indoor environment, and provided a sense of spaciousness and flexibility.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2014

Living environments in rural area have become deteriorated rapidly. Increase of aging population, decline in agricultural income, polarization of wealth in rural community due to rural returners have caused severe decline and imbalance of living environments in rural area. Responding to this circumstances, governments currently develop projects for improving living environments focusing on individual housing which were excluded from governmental supports because those had been regarded as private property. Nevertheless, there are still some gaps and problems in evaluating the quality of living environment and suggesting effective solutions. It would be because standards and guidelines of the projects have been based on urban housing system. In order to support the implementation of the projects, this research has developed an index for evaluating and monitoring the quality of living environments in rural area. By applying Delphi method, the index has been created in four categories of 'security', 'convenience', 'comfortability', and 'durability' 'Security' consists of structural safety, crime, disaster, accident prevention. 'Convenience' includes three divisions of living, traffic, farm working. 'Comfortability' is divided into sanitation, indoor environments, and aesthetic appreciation. Lastly, 'durability' has four divisions of energy conservation, environmental friendliness, efficiency, and economics. Each sub-division also has different items from three to twelves. In the case of an index for performance evaluation, items have been derived from energy conservation(6-items), and environmental friendliness(7-items). Items developed as an index for evaluating rural living environments in this research might be good background information for remodeling project in rural housing development.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.121-129
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• 2009

Today, we are living while interchanging with various countries in multilateral measures and residential culture have been changed while interchanging in the same manner. In order to become an internationally recognized residential environment designer in this environment, we must understand the housing viewpoint of residents in that country first. Therefore, this study is intended to obtain the useful materials for residential environment design of Korea and China by comparing the housing viewpoint between Chinese students studying in Korea and Korean students. A survey using questionnaire was conducted on 205 Korean students and 193 Chinese students (Chinese race) from Y University on a random sampling basis. The result of survey is as follows. First, as both Korean and Chinese university students have a similar tendency on previous house type, current house type, and desired house type, it can be understood that they are similar each other in the experience and preference of house type. Second, Korean and Chinese university students consider and as the most important functions of residence, but Chinese university students consider more functions of residence than Korean students. And, both Korean and Chinese students consider a living room as the most important space among housing spaces, but Chinese consider a private room more importantly than Korean. Third, Chinese university students have stronger desire to possess houses, and desire to purchase houses with larger and more rooms at earlier time than Korean university students. Fourth, when selecting the house, Chinese university students give a higher consideration in terms such as , , , , and than Korean university students. Fifth, satisfaction level of Korean students on current houses was average as a whole, and most Chinese students were generally satisfied with their houses. Sixth, as both of Korean and Chinese university students have higher level of consideration in the items such as safety>, , , , , , , , , , and compared to the level of satisfaction, thoughtful consideration should be given to those items in housing planning.