• 제목/요약/키워드: safety and health at work

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Wet-work Exposure: A Main Risk Factor for Occupational Hand Dermatitis

  • Behroozy, Ali;Keegel, Tessa G.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제5권4호
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    • pp.175-180
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    • 2014
  • Wet-work can be defined as activities where workers have to immerse their hands in liquids for >2 hours per shift, or wear waterproof (occlusive) gloves for a corresponding amount of time, or wash their hands >20 times per shift. This review considers the recent literature on wet-work exposure, and examines wet-work as a main risk factor for developing irritant contact dermatitis of the hands. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed description of wet-work exposure among specific occupational groups who extensively deal with water and other liquids in their occupations. Furthermore, it highlights the extent and importance of the subsequent adverse health effects caused by exposure to wet-work.

Role of Headmasters, Teachers, and Supervisors in Knowledge Transfer about Occupational Health and Safety to Pupils in Vocational Education

  • Andersson, Ing-Marie;Gunnarsson, Kristina;Rosen, Gunnar
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제6권4호
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    • pp.317-323
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    • 2015
  • Background: Young people are at an increased risk for illness in working life. The authorities stipulate certain goals for training in occupational health and safety (OHS) in vocational schools. A previous study concluded that pupils in vocational education had limited knowledge in the prevention of health risks at work. The aim of the current study, therefore, was to study how OHS training is organized in school and in workplace-based learning (WPL). Methods: The study design featured a qualitative approach, which included interviews with 12 headmasters, 20 teachers, and 20 supervisors at companies in which the pupils had their WPL. The study was conducted at 10 upper secondary schools, located in Central Sweden, that were graduating pupils in four vocational programs. Results: The interviews with headmasters, teachers, and supervisors indicate a staggered picture of how pupils are prepared for safe work. The headmasters generally give teachers the responsibility for how goals should be reached. Teaching is very much based on risk factors that are present in the workshops and on teachers' own experiences and knowledge. The teaching during WPL also lacks the systematic training in OHS as well as in the traditional classroom environment. Conclusion: Teachers and supervisors did not plan the training in OHS in accordance with the provisions of systematic work environment management. Instead, the teachers based the training on their own experiences. Most of the supervisors did not receive information from the schools as to what should be included when introducing OHS issues in WPL.

Effect of Occupational Health and Safety Management System on Work-Related Accident Rate and Differences of Occupational Health and Safety Management System Awareness between Managers in South Korea's Construction Industry

  • Yoon, Seok J.;Lin, Hsing K.;Chen, Gang;Yi, Shinjea;Choi, Jeawook;Rui, Zhenhua
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제4권4호
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    • pp.201-209
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    • 2013
  • Background: The study was conducted to investigate the current status of the occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) in the construction industry and the effect of OHSMS on accident rates. Differences of awareness levels on safety issues among site general managers and occupational health and safety (OHS) managers are identified through surveys. Methods: The accident rates for the OHSMS-certified construction companies from 2006 to 2011, when the construction OHSMS became widely available, were analyzed to understand the effect of OHSMS on the work-related injury rates in the construction industry. The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency 18001 is the certification to these companies performing OHSMS in South Korea. The questionnaire was created to analyze the differences of OHSMS awareness between site general managers and OHS managers of construction companies. Results: The implementation of OHSMS among the top 100 construction companies in South Korea shows that the accident rate decreased by 67% and the fatal accident rate decreased by 10.3% during the period from 2006 to 2011. The survey in this study shows different OHSMS awareness levels between site general managers and OHS managers. The differences were motivation for developing OHSMS, external support needed for implementing OHSMS, problems and effectiveness of implementing OHSMS. Conclusion: Both work-related accident and fatal accident rates were found to be significantly reduced by implementing OHSMS in this study. The differences of OHSMS awareness between site general managers and OHS managers were identified through a survey. The effect of these differences on safety and other benefits warrants further research with proper data collection.

How to Define the Content of a Job-Specific Worker's Health Surveillance for Hospital Physicians?

  • Ruitenburg, Martijn M.;Frings-Dresen, Monique H.W.;Sluiter, Judith K.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제7권1호
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    • pp.18-31
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    • 2016
  • Background: A job-specific Worker's Health Surveillance (WHS) for hospital physicians is a preventive occupational health strategy aiming at early detection of their diminished work-related health in order to improve or maintain physician's health and quality of care. This study addresses what steps should be taken to determine the content of a job-specific WHS for hospital physicians and outlines that content. Methods: Based on four questions, decision trees were developed for physical and psychological job demands and for biological, chemical, and physical exposures to decide whether or not to include work-related health effects related to occupational exposures or aspects of health reflecting insufficient job requirements. Information was gathered locally through self-reporting and systematic observations at the workplace and from evidence in international publications. Results: Information from the decision trees on the prevalence and impact of the health- or work-functioning effect led to inclusion of occupational exposures (e.g., biological agents, emotionally demanding situations), job requirements (e.g., sufficient vision, judging ability), or health effects (e.g., depressive symptoms, neck complaints). Additionally, following the Dutch guideline for occupational physicians and based on specific job demands, screening for cardiovascular diseases, work ability, drug use, and alcohol consumption was included. Targeted interventions were selected when a health or work functioning problem existed and were chosen based on evidence for effectiveness. Conclusion: The process of developing a job-specific WHS for hospital physicians was described and the content presented, which might serve as an example for other jobs. Before implementation, it must first be tested for feasibility and acceptability.

Buffering Effect of Job Resources in the Relationship between Job Demands and Work-to-Private-Life Interference: A Study among Health-Care Workers

  • Viotti, Sara;Converso, Daniela
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제7권4호
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    • pp.354-362
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    • 2016
  • Background: The present study aims at investigating whether and how (1) job demands and job resources are associated with work-to-private-life interference (WLI) and (2) job resources moderate the relationship between job demands and WLI. Methods: Data were collected by a self-report questionnaire from three hospitals in Italy. The sample consisted of 889 health-care workers. Results: All job demands (i.e., quantitative demands, disproportionate patient expectations, and verbal aggression) and job resources (i.e., job autonomy, support from superiors and colleagues, fairness, and organizational support), with the exception of skill discretion, were related to WLI. The effects of quantitative demands on WLI were moderated by support from superiors; fairness and organizational support moderate the effects of all job demands considered. Support from colleagues moderated only verbal aggression. Job autonomy did not buffer any job demands. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the work context has a central importance in relation to the experience of WLI among health-care workers. The results indicated that intervention in the work context may help to contain WLI. Such interventions would especially be aimed at improving the social climate within the unit and quality of the organizational process.

Effect of Work on Medical Expenditures by Elderly: Findings From the Korean Health Panel 2008-2013

  • Hyun, Min Kyung
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제9권4호
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    • pp.462-467
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    • 2018
  • Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of work on medical expenditures by the elderly. Methods: Data pertaining to individuals aged 65 or older collected by the Korean Health Panel 2008-2013 were used. The effects of work on medical expenditures were analyzed in a panel tobit model adjusted for several variables of demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, and health factors for health care. Data were also analyzed based on age groups (65-74, $75{\leq}$), type of work (waged or self-employed), and working time (daytime work or night time work). Results: Among the elderly older than 65 years, 34-37% were workers. Work among the elderly reduced medical expenditures relative to nonworking elderly. Specifically, medical expenditures were lower in individuals older than 75 years, as well as among those who were self-employed insured and had medical aid insurance and those who exercised. However, medical expenditures were higher among females, married individuals, those with a higher household income, and those with a chronic disease. Elderly wageworkers showed reduced medical expenditures than nonworking elderly and elderly daytime workers did. Conclusion: The elderly population's work, especially wage work and daytime work, reduced medical expenditures relative to no work. These results provide valuable information for policymakers by indicating that work was associated with lower medical expenditures than no work. If elderly work is to be encouraged, it is necessary to provide a variety of high-quality wage work.

위험 작업에 대한 하도급 근로자 보호방안 연구 (The Subcontract Workers Protection Plan Research against a Dangerous Work)

  • 김대호;김병석
    • 대한안전경영과학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 대한안전경영과학회 2007년도 추계학술대회
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    • pp.85-95
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    • 2007
  • It compared subcontractor with contractor that are wages, the labor hour and labor condition of the work environment back are inferior relative. The subcontractor which basically the contract workers evade the dangerous process or the difficult work, the dirty work back what is called 3D the case which does to keep a business is many. so With life it will be threatened consequent health directly. The possibility where the subcontractor will be exposed to danger work came to be high. Together the reason of subcontract at managing the big business the case which becomes accomplished in objective, about lower the immediacy safety&health problem, subcontractor assigned workers is the actual condition only it could not be deteriorated more in public finance of the supply and enterprise and technical ability insufficiency. Consequently it prevents the subcontract which danger work is insensitive from this research and immediacy of the subcontract workers who is weak hygiene circumstance complement the plan it will be able to secure the immediacy safety&health subcontract workers, substantially to prepare in the hazard subcontract proprietor.

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Diabetes Management and Hyperglycemia in Safety Sensitive Jobs

  • Lee, See-Muah;Koh, David;Fun, Sharon Nne;Sum, Chee-Fang
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제2권4호
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    • pp.380-384
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    • 2011
  • The chronic and acute effects of hyperglycemia affecting cognition and work are as important as those of hypoglycemia. Its impact, considering that majority of diabetic patients fail to reach therapeutic targets, would be potentially significant. Self monitoring of blood glucose, recognition of body cues and management interventions should be geared not only towards avoidance of disabling hypoglycemia, but also towards unwanted hyperglycemia. Over the long term, chronic hyperglycemia is a risk for cognitive decline. Acute episodes of hyperglycemia, above 15 mmol/L have also been shown to affect cognitive motor tasks. Maintaining blood sugar to avoid hyperglycemia in diabetic workers will help promote safety at work.

Work Environments and Exposure to Hazardous Substances in Korean Tire Manufacturing

  • Lee, Na-Roo;Lee, Byung-Kyu;Jeong, Si-Jeong;Yi, Gwang-Yong;Shin, Jung-Ah
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • 제3권2호
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    • pp.130-139
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    • 2012
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tire manufacturing work environments extensively and to identify workers' exposure to hazardous substances in various work processes. Methods: Personal air sampling was conducted to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon disulfide, 1,3-butadiene, styrene, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylcyclohexane, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and rubber fume in tire manufacturing plants using the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health Manual of Analytical Methods. Noise, carbon monoxide, and heat stress exposure were evaluated using direct reading instruments. Past concentrations of rubber fume were assessed using regression analysis of total particulate data from 2003 to 2007, after identifying the correlation between the concentration of total particulate and rubber fume. Results: Workers were exposed to rubber fume that exceeded 0.6 mg/$m^3$, the maximum exposure limit of the UK, in curing and production management processes. Forty-seven percent of workers were exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA. Workers in the production management process were exposed to $28.1^{\circ}C$ (wet bulb globe temperature value, WBGT value) even when the outdoor atmosphere was $2.7^{\circ}C$ (WBGT value). Exposures to other substances were below the limit of detection or under a tenth of the threshold limit values given by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Conclusion: To better classify exposure groups and to improve work environments, examining closely at rubber fume components and temperature as risk indicators in tire manufacturing is recommended.