• Title/Summary/Keyword: safety and health at work

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The Sensitization Rates for Inhaled Allergens by Skin Prick Test among Some Farmers in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea (피부 단자 검사로 평가한 경기도 일부 농업인의 흡입 알레르겐 감작률)

  • Kim, Hogil;Lee, Ji-Hoon;Roh, Soo-Yong;Lee, HyangSeok;Kwon, Soon-Chan;Lee, Soo-Jin
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.240-249
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    • 2015
  • Objectives: Farmers are known to be exposed to a variety of allergens related to the work environment. This study was conducted to determine the sensitization rates as well as South Korea that they are sensitized to certain allergens farmers through the skin prick test. Methods: By targeting a total of 1143 people living in the rural town of Gyeonggi Province, it was conducted a questionnaire containing demographic and occupational risk factors and underwent skin prick tests with 15 types of allergens(including positive and negative controls). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between occupational risk factors and skin prick test positivity. Results: Except for the 30 people whose result is invalid, positive rate of the skin prick test was 18.6% in 1,113 people. The species of house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae was the highest at 8.7% and 8.6%. After adjusted by age, gender, smoking and education level, odds ratio of flower plant farmers is 4.467(95% CI: 2.094-9.527) and fruit farmer is 2.275(95% CI: 1.096-4.721). In addition, the rate of sensitization to grass pollen mixture of the flower plant farmers is significantly higher(15.9%, p<0.001) than other allergens. Conclusions: Even farmers, the rate of sensitization to allergens related to the general environment, such as house dust mite is relatively dominant. However, given the presence of potential cross-reactivity between the allergens or distribution showed that the unique aspects of allergen sensitization in the flower growers, occupational cause is not be completely ruled out.

The characteristics of farmer's dermal exposure during pesticide spraying and dilution in cut rose greenhouse (절화장미 시설하우스에서 방제 작업시 농약의 피부노출 특성)

  • Kim, Hyo-Cher;Kim, Kyung-Ran;Lee, Kyung-Suk;Kim, Kyung-Su;Cho, Kyun-Ah
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.203-211
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    • 2007
  • This study was conducted in cut rose cultivation field in Goyang to evaluate pesticide exposure of farmers and the relationship between the exposure and work environment/method for cut rose farmers. Dermal exposure was assessed with patch (thin chromatography layer paper), cotton glove by body parts during mixing and spraying works in which pyrethroid, organophosphate, carbamate pesticide were used in 4 cut rose greenhouses located in Goyang province, checking characteristics of environment/working method at the same time. Body parts assessed were as follows ; glove : hand, patch : head, neck(front/back), chest, back, shoulder(right/left), upperarm(right/left), forearm(right/left), thigh(right/left), shin(right/left). Pesticides were analyzed using gas chromatography(NPD/FID) after extracting with ethyl acetate. Exposure amount differed according to pesticide type. But after standardizing with total net weight of pesticide sprayed, there were no significant difference among pesticides. There were significant difference in exposure amount among body parts(especially exposure amount of thigh, shin were more than the others), which means exposure happen not by pesticide dispersion in air but by contact with cut rose(leaf, branch) indirectly. Walking forward during spraying made farmers more exposed than waling backward, these results means contacts with leaves/branches made exposure happen in cut rose greenhouse also. As a result, pesticide exposure in cut rose greenhouse was related with contact of leaf/branch which pesticide remained in, which made exposure pattern (especially exposure amount) differ by body parts

A Phenomenological Study on the Self-care of Middle-aged One-person Households (중년 1인 가구의 자기돌봄에 대한 현상학적 연구)

  • Ko, Hyeyun;Kim, Boram;Lee, Sang Min;Lee, Janghee
    • Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.273-305
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    • 2022
  • The purpose of this study is to understand and explore the essence of the self-care experiences of middle-aged one-person households considering their individual circumstances and situational context. In this study, 10 middle-aged people in one-person households were interviewed. The interview data were analyzed using the phenomenological analysis. In result, middle-aged one-person households considered self-care as 'means to protect themselves', 'preparation for their single life in late adulthood', and 'behavior to feel gratitude and happiness in the present.' Their motives for self-care were 'being aware of their physical aging and possibility of illnesse', 'feeling threatened about their safety', 'sensing that their daily livings may be at a risk', 'absence of a caregiven person who can take care of them', 'maintaining of their psychological health', 'being burned out from busy working schedules', and 'to lessen their own and their family's worries and anxiety.' Their specific ways of self-care were 'physical health care', 'private activities for emotional care', and 'meeting people.' Consequently, the self-care of middle-aged people had a positive impact on their work and relationships, lessened their sense of isolation, and brought comfort to their lives. Based on the results of the study, this study proposed the implications, limitations, and suggestions for further research.

Diving patterns and diving related disease of diving fishermen in Korea (수산물채취 잠수부의 작업특성과 잠수관련질환의 양상)

  • SaKong, Joon
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.31 no.1 s.60
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    • pp.139-156
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    • 1998
  • Diving related disease including decompression sickness is an important occupational health problem and diving fishermen remain a fairly hazardous occupation in Korea. To prevent diving related disease, we investigate diving patterns, incidence of diving related diseases, and contributing factors of 433 diving fishermen of three coast interviewing and mailing questionnaire in 1996. Mean age of divers was 39.7 years, ranged from 24 to 58 years, 92.8% of these were male, and 58.4% of divers were high school graduates. Mean duration of work as a diver was 12.9 years, ranged from 2 to 40 years. It was found that 70.4% of divers were using hookah system, 22.2% of helmet, and only 2.5% SCUBA. About half of them have learned diving skills from other divers. The peak season of diving was from April to June and mean working days were 20.3 days per month during the peak season. On the average, the divers dived 5-6 times, ranged from 1 to 10 times a day with 51.1 minutes of diving time, ranged from 20 to 120 minutes, at 30 m or 40 m in depth, and 35.5 minute of interval on surface. Most divers ascended slowly making decompression stop, yet the decompression profile used was not based on any scientific knowledge except for their own experiences. It appeared that each diving system had slightly different diving patterns. There were 282(65.0%) divers that suffered from DCS in 1995 and 31.2% of divers were given recompression therapy at a medical facility since they worked as diving fishermen. Skin and musculoskeletal complaints were common symptoms of DCS and 39% of divers experienced a voiding difficulty. In univariate analysis, females have an increased frequency of DCS(93% vs 66% for males). Old age, long duration of work, helmet diving, diving time, diving depth, repetitive diving, and blow up were all contributing factors to DCS. It was found that most diving patterns exceed no decompression limit and did not use the standard decompression table. This suggests that most of divers are at high risk of developing diving related disease with prolonged dives and lengthy repetitive diving in deep depth. Considering the diving patterns and economic aspect of professional diving, the incidence of DCS among diving fishermen in Korea will not decrease in the near future. These findings suggest that periodical health surveillance for divers, and education of health and safety are important for reducing the risk of diving related disease in the population of diving fishermen.

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Analysis of the Necessity of Medical Records Related to Radiological Examination (방사선검사의 의무기록에 관한 요구도 분석)

  • Hong, Dong-Hee;Lim, Cheong-Hwan;Lim, Woo-Taek;Joo, Young-Cheol;Jung, Hong-Ryang;Kim, Eun-Hye;Yoon, Yong-Su;Jung, Young-Jin;Choi, Ji-Won;Jeong, Sung-Hun;Park, Myeong-Hwan;Yang, Oh-Nam;Jeong, Bong-Jae
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.44 no.5
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    • pp.513-523
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    • 2021
  • The purpose of this study was to discuss the required items and feasibility of medical records of radiological examinations performed by radiological technologists at medical institutions. An online survey was conducted to a total of 10,000 radiation-related workers, of which 1,026 (10.3%) responded. As a research method, self-made questionnaires were used. The online survey was conducted from September 10 to September 20, 2021 for the survey period. For response data, a Chi-square test was performed according to demographic characteristics using SPSS 27.0 version (IBM Inc., Chicago, Ill, USA), and it was judged to be significant when the P value was less than 0.05. The reliability of the questionnaire response was found to be Chronbach α=0.933. More than 90% of the medical records related to radiological examinations are necessary, and they answered that a curriculum, remuneration curriculum, and legal system for medical records should be prepared. More than 90% of the respondents agreed with the proposal of the Radiological Technologist Independent Act for legal preparation, and most of the information required for medical records is currently recorded in DICOM images. According to the demographic characteristics, the medical record requirement for radiological examination, curriculum, continuing education, and legislation were found to be higher with higher education and higher with longer working experience. In addition, most of the radiology departments showed a high demand for medical records, so most of them responded positively to the medical records requirements for radiological examinations. This study analyzed the medical record requirements for radiological examinations, and as shown in the results, medical record requirements for radiological examinations was found that most radiological technologists felt need for the new law and supported it. In addition, if the information recorded in the DICOM image is used, it is considered that medical records could be easily prepared without additional work by the radiological technologists.

A Study on the Removal Efficiency of Harmful Pollutants in the Cooking Chamber (조리실내의 유해오염물질 제거율에 관한 연구)

  • Kwon, Woo-Taeg;Lee, Woo-Sik
    • Culinary science and hospitality research
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    • v.22 no.8
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    • pp.149-156
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    • 2016
  • The purpose of this study is to reduce the contaminants (total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), fine particle, odor and total airborne bacteria) during cooking process in cooking chamber, and to decrease the health damage in indoor space that has bad work environment. In order to solve the shortcomings of existing air purifiers and remove all kinds of pollutants effectively, this study focused on the development of indoor air purifiers which are made of bar type. Bio-ceramics filter which combines activated carbon and loess. The air cleaners developed with 4 measuring items including TVOCs, particulate matter, complex odor and total airborne bacteria were measured comparing their pre-service test to their post-service test after a period of time. The measured results showed higher removal efficiency of 91.02% as the concentration of TVOCs was reduced from $2,500{\mu}g/m^3$ to $223{\mu}g/m^3$. Second, the particulate matter removal ratio was 97.51% efficient with average concentration of $26.68{\mu}g/m^3$. Third, the odor showed 95.20% reduction as air dilution ratio averaged out at 144. Last, total airborne bacteria was eliminated by over 94% showing the changeable concentration from $787{\sim}814CFU/m^3$ to $47{\sim}40CFU/m^3$. In addition, the removal rate of harmful pollutants is excellent, and it is expected that the environment of the existing poor cooking room will be greatly improved by using the developed air purifier in combination with the ventilation device and the stove hood.

Child Rearing Practice of Working Mothers in a Poor Area of Pusan (부산시 영세지역 취업여성들의 영유아 양육실태)

  • Hwang, Yeon-Ja;Park, Jung-Han
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.22 no.3 s.27
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    • pp.389-397
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    • 1989
  • To identify the problems in child rearing practice of employed mothers in urban poor area, all of 201 women with children under 6 years old living in Yun San 3 Dong, a poor area of Pusan city, were interviewed with a questionnaire by a trained interviewer from 10th April to 10th May 1989. Among 201 women, 51 women were employed and 150 women were unemployed. Of the employed mothers 78.5% got their jobs because of economical need and 31.4% of them worker for 60-69 hours per week. Their average monthly income was 100,000-190,000 Won in 33.4% and 200,000-290,000 Won in 25.4% Breast milk was fed in 66.0% of the children of unemployed mothers while 49.0 of the children of the employed mothers were breast-fed (p<0.05). The most common reason for not breast feeding was shortage of breast milk among unemployed mothers (58.9%) but that of the employed mothers was their job(63.6%). The basic immunization for children was completed in 70.5% of children of employed mothers as compared with 82.0% of the children of the unemployed mothers were completely immunized (p>0.1). Accident experience rate of children among the employed mothers was 23.5 a and that of the children of the unemployed mothers was 17.3% . The most common cause of acident in children of the unemployed mothers was carelessness while they were playing(34.6%) but in children of the employed mothers it was traffic accident(25.0%) and falling(25.0%). Most of the traffic accidents took place while the children's brother or sister of age under 14 years were baby sitting. When the accident took place 73.1% of the unemployed mothers were just at home, but 58.3% of the employed mothers were out of home for work. In case of the employed mothers, 58.7% of their children were looked after by an adult mainly grandparents, 15.7% by the children's brothers and sisters under 14 years old, and 3.9% of the children were left alone. A majority of the unemployed mothers wanted to get a job if someone could take care of their children. To facilitate the women employment and for the safety and health of the children, good nurseries for working mothers need to be established at a cost they can afford.

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The Effects of a MR Torso Coil on CT Attenuation Correction for PET (PET/CT 검사에 있어서 MR Torso Coil의 CT 감쇄보정에 대한 영향 평가)

  • Lee, Seung Jae;Bahn, Young Kag;Oh, Shin Hyun;Gang, Cheon-Gu;Lim, Han Sang;Kim, Jae Sam;Lee, Chang Ho;Seo, Soo-Hyun;Park, Yong Sung
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.81-86
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    • 2012
  • Purpose : Combined MR/PET scanners that use the MRI for PET AC face the challenge of absent surface coils in MR images and thus cannot directly account for attenuation in the coils. To make up for the weak point of MR attenuation correction, Three Modality System (PET/CT +MR) were used in Severance hospital. The goal of this work was to investigate the effects of MR Torso Coil on CT attenuation correction for PET. Materials and Methods : PET artifacts were evaluated when the MR Torso Coil was present of CTAC data with changing various kV and mA in uniformity water phantom and 1994 NEMA cylinderical phantom. They evaluated and compared the following two scenarios: (1) The uniform cylinder phantom and the MR Torso Coil scanned and reconstructed using CT-AC; (2) 1994 NEMA cylinderical phantom and the MR Torso Coil scanned and reconstructed using CT-AC. Results : Streak artifacts were present in CT images containing the MR Torso Coil due to metal components. These artifacts persisted after the CT images were converted for PET-AC. CT scans tended to over-estimate the linear attenuation coefficient when the kV and mA is increasing of the metal components when using conventional methods for converting from CT number. Conclusion : The presence of MR coils during PET/CT scanning can cause subtle artifacts and potentially important quantification errors. Alternative CT techniques that mitigate artifacts should be used to improve AC accuracy. When possible, removing segments of an MR coil prior to the PET/CT exam is recommended. Further, MR coils could be redesigned to reduce artifacts by rearranging placement of the most attenuating materials.

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A Study on the Improvement of Flexible Working Hours (유연근로시간제 개선에 대한 연구)

  • Kwon, Yong-man;Seo, Ei-seok
    • Journal of Venture Innovation
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.97-108
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    • 2021
  • Labor contracts appear in form as an exchange relationship between labor products and wages, but since they transcend the level of simple barter, they can be economically identified as "trading" and can be identified as "rental." From a legal point of view, a legal device that legally supports and imposes binding force on commodity exchange relations is a contract. Such a labor contract led to a relationship in which wages were received and a certain amount of time was placed under the direction and supervision of the employer as a counter benefit to the receipt of wages. Since working hours are subordinate hours with one's labor under the disposition authority of the employer, long hours of work can be done for the health and safety of workers and furthermore, it can be an act that violates the value to enjoy as a human being. The reduction of working hours needs to be shortened in terms of productivity and enjoyment of workers' culture so that they can expand and reproduce, but users' corporate management labor and production activities should also be compatible compared to those pursued by capitalist countries. Working hours can be seen as individual time and time in society as a whole, and long hours of work at the individual level are reduced, which is undesirable at the individual level, but an increase in products due to an increase in production time at the social level can help social development. It is necessary to consider working hours in terms of finding the balance between these individual and social levels. If the regulation method of working hours was to regulate the total amount of working hours, flexibility and elasticity of working hours are a qualitative regulation method that allows companies to flexibly allocate and organize working hours within a certain range of up to 52 hours per week. Accordingly, it is necessary to shorten working hours, but expand and implement the flexible working hours system according to the situation of the company. To this end, it is necessary to flexibly operate the flexible working hours system, which is currently limited to six months, handle the selective working hours by agreement between employers and workers, and expand the target work of discretionary working hours according to the development of information and communication technology and new types based on the 4th industrial revolution.

Comparison of Sleep Patterns and Autonomic Nervous System Activity among Three Shifts in Shiftworkers (교대근무자에서 각 교대근무간의 수면양상 및 자율신경계 활성도 비교)

  • Yoon, In-Young;Ha, Mi-Na;Park, Jung-Sun;Song, Byoung-Gun
    • Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.96-101
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    • 2000
  • Objectives: Through comparing sleep variables and autonomic activities among three shifts in shift workers, the authors intended to clarify which shift is most tolerable and to identify the characteristics of their psychological and physical problems. This study is also expected to help shift workers to adapt themselves to their work more effectively. Methods: Fifty one shift workers took part in this study. They were working in a rapidly rotating system in which they worked for 3 days in one shift with one day off between each shift. Based on a sleep diary, sleep latency (SL), sleep period time (SPT), and number of wake after sleep onset (NWASO) were estimated and compared among the three shifts. In assessing sleepiness, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used. To evaluate mood states among the three shifts, profile of mood states (POMS) was administered. Heart rate variability (HRV), and the level of adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured to assess autonomic activities. HRV included low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and LF/HF. Results: SPT was significantly lengthened during the evening shift and SL was shortened during the night shift. The workers showed a drop in alertness at wake-up during morning shift and a drop in alertness at work during night shift. During night shift the subjects complained of physical fatigue and cognitive decline. Comparison of HRV showed that parasympathetic activity was most prominent during the evening shift. Secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline decreased during the evening shift, though statistically not significant. Conclusion: We found that the evening shift was most tolerable among the three shifts. It is recommended that morning light exposure be done during the morning shift and nocturnal light exposure during the night shift.

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