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

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A Study on the Effects of BSC System Acceptance Factors on the Intention for Continuous Use (BSC 시스템 수용요인이 지속적 사용의도에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구)

  • Kwon, Oh-Jun;Seo, Hyun-Sik;Oh, Jay-In
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.151-179
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    • 2009
  • The purpose of this study is to make an empirical analysis on the factors affecting the intention for the continuous use of the BSC system, which has been recently spread in the public sector. Because the object of acceptance is the performance management system based on BSC (Balanced Scorecard) implemented in the form of information systems, this study proposes a research model by applying TAM (Technology Acceptance Model). Independent variables are factors affecting the acceptance of BSC system such as training, communication, IS support, CEO support and personal innovativeness, and we examine their effects on the dependent variable, namely, intention on continuous use via mediating variables: perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. A questionnaire survey was conducted with public institutions(firms) that had introduced and were operating the BSC system; 264 valid questionnaires are adopted. Collected data are analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and AMOS 7.0. Results of reliability test show that all analyzed data are reliable. In validity test, one item regarding communication was excluded; 9 latent variables and 34 observed variables are used in the final analysis. Based on the results of the hypothesis test through path analysis using a structural equation model, 10 out of 16 hypotheses are accepted. Factors affecting perceived usefulness are training and IS(Information System) support. The analysis results indicate that perceived ease of use is mainly affected by IS support, CEO support, and personal innovativeness among the factors related to the acceptance of the BSC system. This suggests that, contrary to the expectation that the BSC system may be used without difficulty, the management's active support is required in order to attain expected improvement in productivity and work efficiency. This was also pointed out in case studies on the construction of the BSC system in public sectors. On the other hand, perceived ease of use is found to affect perceived usefulness. This supports the results of previous researches on TAM. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are found to affect the attitude towards the use of the system. The intention on continuous use is affected more by perceived usefulness than by the attitude towards the use of system. This result supports the results of previous researches on TAM, showing that the BSC system is utilized substantially in worksites. This study is considered meaningful in that it was actually performed on users at public institutions(firms) that had introduced the BSC system and that it empirically tested hypotheses on the acceptance of the BSC system by applying TAM to the research model.

Medical Radiation Exposure Dose of Workers in the Private Study of the Job Function (의료기관 방사선 종사자의 직무별 개인피폭선량에 관한 연구)

  • Kang, Chun-Goo;Oh, Ki-Baek;Park, Hoon-Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.3-12
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    • 2011
  • Purpose: With increasing medical use of radiation and radioactive isotopes, there is a need to better manage the risk of radiation exposure. This study aims to grasp and analyze the individual radiation exposure situations of radiation-related workers in a medical facility by specific job, in order to instill awareness of radiation danger and to assist in safety and radiation exposure management for such workers. Materials and Methods: From January 1, 2010 December 31, 2010, medical practitioners working in the radiation is classified as a regular personal radiation dosimetry, and subsequently one year 540 people managed investigation department to target workers, dose sectional area, working period, identify the job function-related tasks for a deep dose, respectively, the annual average radiation dose were analyzed. Frequency analysis methods include ANOVA was performed. Results: Medical radiation workers in the department an annual radiation dose of Nuclear and 4.57 mSv a was highest, dose zone-specific distribution of nuclear medicine and in the 5.01~19.05 mSv in the high dose area distribution showed departmental radiation four of the annual radiation dose of Nuclear and 7.14 mSv showed the highest radiation dose. More work an average annual radiation dose according to the job function related to the synthesis of Cyclotron to 17.47 mSv work showed the highest radiation dose, Gamma camera Cinema Room 7.24 mSv, PET/CT Cinema Room service is 7.60 mSv, 2.04 mSv in order of intervention high, were analyzed. Working period, according to domain-specific average annual dose of radiation dose from 10 to 14 in oral and maxillofacial radiology practitioners as high as 1.01~3.00 mSv average dose showed the Department of Radiology, 1-4 years, 5-9 years, respectively, 1.01 workers~8.00 mSv in the range of the most high-dose region showed the distribution, nuclear medicine, and the 1-4 years, 5-9 years 3.01~19.05 mSv, respectively, workers of the highest dose showed the distribution of the area in the range of 10 to 14 years, Workers at 15-19 3.01~15.00 mSv, respectively in the range of the high-dose region were distributed. Conclusion: These results suggest that medical radiation workers working in Nuclear Medicine radiation safety management of the majority of the current were carried out in the effectiveness, depending on job characteristics has been found that many differences. However, this requires efforts to minimize radiation exposure, and systematic training for them and for reasonable radiation exposure management system is needed.

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A Study on Relationship between Physical Elements and Tennis/Golf Elbow

  • Choi, Jungmin;Park, Jungwoo;Kim, Hyunseung
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.36 no.3
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    • pp.183-196
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    • 2017
  • Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the agreement between job physical risk factor analysis by ergonomists using ergonomic methods and physical examinations made by occupational physicians on the presence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Background: Ergonomics is the systematic application of principles concerned with the design of devices and working conditions for enhancing human capabilities and optimizing working and living conditions. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent injuries and physical and emotional stress. The major types of ergonomic injuries and incidents are cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), acute strains, sprains, and system failures. Minimization of use of excessive force and awkward postures can help to prevent such injuries Method: Initial data were collected as part of a larger study by the University of Utah Ergonomics and Safety program field data collection teams and medical data collection teams from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH). Subjects included 173 male and female workers, 83 at Beehive Clothing (a clothing plant), 74 at Autoliv (a plant making air bags for vehicles), and 16 at Deseret Meat (a meat-processing plant). Posture and effort levels were analyzed using a software program developed at the University of Utah (Utah Ergonomic Analysis Tool). The Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) was developed to assess the risk of epicondylitis from observable job physical factors. The model considers five job risk factors: (1) intensity of exertion, (2) forearm rotation, (3) wrist posture, (4) elbow compression, and (5) speed of work. Qualitative ratings of these physical factors were determined during video analysis. Personal variables were also investigated to study their relationship with epicondylitis. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between risk factors and symptoms of epicondyle pain. Results: Results of this study indicate that gender, smoking status, and BMI do have an effect on the risk of epicondylitis but there is not a statistically significant relationship between EEM and epicondylitis. Conclusion: This research studied the relationship between an Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) and the occurrence of epicondylitis. The model was not predictive for epicondylitis. However, it is clear that epicondylitis was associated with some individual risk factors such as smoking status, gender, and BMI. Based on the results, future research may discover risk factors that seem to increase the risk of epicondylitis. Application: Although this research used a combination of questionnaire, ergonomic job analysis, and medical job analysis to specifically verify risk factors related to epicondylitis, there are limitations. This research did not have a very large sample size because only 173 subjects were available for this study. Also, it was conducted in only 3 facilities, a plant making air bags for vehicles, a meat-processing plant, and a clothing plant in Utah. If working conditions in other kinds of facilities are considered, results may improve. Therefore, future research should perform analysis with additional subjects in different kinds of facilities. Repetition and duration of a task were not considered as risk factors in this research. These two factors could be associated with epicondylitis so it could be important to include these factors in future research. Psychosocial data and workplace conditions (e.g., low temperature) were also noted during data collection, and could be used to further study the prevalence of epicondylitis. Univariate analysis methods could be used for each variable of EEM. This research was performed using multivariate analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the different effect of each variable. Basically, the difference between univariate and multivariate analysis is that univariate analysis deals with one predictor variable at a time, whereas multivariate analysis deals with multiple predictor variables combined in a predetermined manner. The univariate analysis could show how each variable is associated with epicondyle pain. This may allow more appropriate weighting factors to be determined and therefore improve the performance of the EEM.

Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality in a Department of Radiation Oncology Located Underground (지하에 위치한 방사선종양학과에서의 실내공기 질 평가)

  • Kim, Won-Taek;Shin, Yong-Chul;Kang, Dong-Mug;Ki, Yong-Kan;Kim, Dong-Won;Kwon, Byung-Hyun
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.243-252
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    • 2005
  • Purpose: Indoor air quality (IAQ) in the radiation treatment center which is generally located underground is important to the health of hospital workers and patients treated over a long period of time. this study was conducted to measure and analyze the factors related to IAQ and subjective symptoms of sick building syndrome, and to establish the causes influencing IAQ and find a solution to the problems. Methods and Materials : Self administrated questionnaire was conducted to check the workers' symptoms and understanding of the work environment. Based on a preliminary investigation, the factors related to IAQ such as temperature, humidity, fine particulate. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and radon gas were selected and measured for a certain period of time in specific sites where hospital workers stay long in a day. And we also evaluated the surrounding environment and the efficiency of the ventilating system simultaneously, and measured the same factors at the first floor (outdoor) to compare with outdoor all quality, All collected data were assessed by the recommended standard for IAQ of the domestic and international environmental organizations. Results: Hospital workers were discontented with foul odors, humidity and particulate. They complained symptoms related to musculo-skeletal system, neurologic system, and mucosal-irritatation. Most of the factors were not greater than the recommended standard, but the level of TVOC was third or fourth times as much as the measuring level of some offices in the United States. The frequency and the amount of the ventilating system were adequate, however, the problem arising in the position of outdoor-air inlets and indoor-air outlets involved a risk of the indraft of contaminated air. A careful attention was a requirement in handling and keeping chemical substances including a developing solution which has a risk of TVOC emissions, and repositioning the ventilating system was needed to solve the contaminated-air circulation immediately Conclusion We verified that some IAQ-related factors and inadequate ventilating system could cause subjective symptoms in hospital workers. The evaluation of IAQ was surely needed to improve the underground working environments for hospital workers and patients. On the basis of these data, from now on, we should actively engage in designs of the department of radiation oncology or improvement in environments of the existing facilities.

Physiological and Psychological analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms (근골격계질환에 대한 물리적/심리적요인에 대한 연구)

  • Donghyun Park;Sung Kyu Bae
    • Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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    • v.9 no.spc
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    • pp.107-122
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    • 2003
  • The object of this study is to evaluate the prevailing physical and psychosocial conditions regarding occupational low back injury. This study consists of two parts. In the first part of the study, analytic biomechanical model and NIOSH guidelines are applied to evaluate risk levels of low back injury for automobile assembly jobs. Total of 246 workers are analysed. There are 20 jobs having greater back compressive forces than 300kg at L5/S1. Also, there are 44 jobs over Action Limit with respect to 1981 NIOSH guidelines. The relationship between psychosocial factors and low back injury was examined in the second part of the study. A battery of questionnaires concerning the psychosocial stress based on PWI (Psychosocial Well-being Index) and musculoskeletal pain symptoms at low back was completed by 246 workers at the same plant. Results showed that 207 out 246 workers experienced the symptoms and 27 workers were diagnosed as patients. Two groups(low stressed, high stressed) based on PWI score had no significant relationships with both symptoms and results of diagnosis. The relationships between physical work load and psychosocial stress were also analysed. Specifically, some postural factors(vertical deviation angle of forearm, horizontal deviation angle of upperarm, vertical deviation angle of thigh, etc) were highly correlated with psychosocial stress. The results illustrated that PWI scores were associated with some physical workloads. However, psychosocial stress levels couldn't be well related with the pain symptom as well as the actual incidence of low back injury since pain or discomfort regarding low back injury were more complex than that of other musculoskeletal disorders.

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Necessity of Developing University Radiology Curriculum for Veterinary Hospital Radiological Technologists - D University Case Focusing - (동물병원 방사선사를 위한 대학 방사선학과 교육과정 개발 필요성 - D 대학 사례 중심으로 -)

  • Won-Jeong Lee
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.18 no.3
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    • pp.203-212
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    • 2024
  • The purpose of this study was to survey by the veterinary hospital Specialists (VHSs) and radiology students (RSs) for radiology curriculum development veterinary hospital (VH), and for veterinary hospital radiological technologists (VHRTs). VHSs were surveyed to regarding the basic information and radiological examination training, radiological examination experience, anatomy physiology, radiation safety management training, radiation biology training. RSs were surveyed to regarding the basic information and career paths, VH awareness, and VH-related department environments. The survey results were quantitatively entered into Excel and then analyzed using the SPSS ver. 26.0. The students were aged by 22.6 years old, and out of 171 students, male and female were 92 and 79 espectively. In employment career paths, 62.6% of all subjects responded that employment prospects at medical institutions were good. Employment prospects outside of medical institutions, VH had the highest number of students. Of the 83 students who responded that they wanted to work at a VH, 64 students liked animals, and 47 students the high potential for advancement. Of the 159 students who responded that there is potential for development of VH, 96.2% responded that it was due to the increase in companion animals. In the VH-related department environment, 94.7% responded that there was no related equipment, and 72.5% responded that the department needed to open animal care courses and 82.5% anatomy and physiology courses. 76.6% responded that they would be willing to take animal-related courses if they were offered. Among the 20 VHSAs, 4 had no experience in radiological examination of animals, 2 VHRTs, and 2 others. There were 7 people who had not received training in animal radiography, and 2 VHRTs had not received training in animal care and animal anatomy and physiology. This study is expected to be helpful in developing a radiology curriculum for VHRTs in the future.

Implementation Strategy for the Elderly Care Solution Based on Usage Log Analysis: Focusing on the Case of Hyodol Product (사용자 로그 분석에 기반한 노인 돌봄 솔루션 구축 전략: 효돌 제품의 사례를 중심으로)

  • Lee, Junsik;Yoo, In-Jin;Park, Do-Hyung
    • Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.117-140
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    • 2019
  • As the aging phenomenon accelerates and various social problems related to the elderly of the vulnerable are raised, the need for effective elderly care solutions to protect the health and safety of the elderly generation is growing. Recently, more and more people are using Smart Toys equipped with ICT technology for care for elderly. In particular, log data collected through smart toys is highly valuable to be used as a quantitative and objective indicator in areas such as policy-making and service planning. However, research related to smart toys is limited, such as the development of smart toys and the validation of smart toy effectiveness. In other words, there is a dearth of research to derive insights based on log data collected through smart toys and to use them for decision making. This study will analyze log data collected from smart toy and derive effective insights to improve the quality of life for elderly users. Specifically, the user profiling-based analysis and elicitation of a change in quality of life mechanism based on behavior were performed. First, in the user profiling analysis, two important dimensions of classifying the type of elderly group from five factors of elderly user's living management were derived: 'Routine Activities' and 'Work-out Activities'. Based on the dimensions derived, a hierarchical cluster analysis and K-Means clustering were performed to classify the entire elderly user into three groups. Through a profiling analysis, the demographic characteristics of each group of elderlies and the behavior of using smart toy were identified. Second, stepwise regression was performed in eliciting the mechanism of change in quality of life. The effects of interaction, content usage, and indoor activity have been identified on the improvement of depression and lifestyle for the elderly. In addition, it identified the role of user performance evaluation and satisfaction with smart toy as a parameter that mediated the relationship between usage behavior and quality of life change. Specific mechanisms are as follows. First, the interaction between smart toy and elderly was found to have an effect of improving the depression by mediating attitudes to smart toy. The 'Satisfaction toward Smart Toy,' a variable that affects the improvement of the elderly's depression, changes how users evaluate smart toy performance. At this time, it has been identified that it is the interaction with smart toy that has a positive effect on smart toy These results can be interpreted as an elderly with a desire to meet emotional stability interact actively with smart toy, and a positive assessment of smart toy, greatly appreciating the effectiveness of smart toy. Second, the content usage has been confirmed to have a direct effect on improving lifestyle without going through other variables. Elderly who use a lot of the content provided by smart toy have improved their lifestyle. However, this effect has occurred regardless of the attitude the user has toward smart toy. Third, log data show that a high degree of indoor activity improves both the lifestyle and depression of the elderly. The more indoor activity, the better the lifestyle of the elderly, and these effects occur regardless of the user's attitude toward smart toy. In addition, elderly with a high degree of indoor activity are satisfied with smart toys, which cause improvement in the elderly's depression. However, it can be interpreted that elderly who prefer outdoor activities than indoor activities, or those who are less active due to health problems, are hard to satisfied with smart toys, and are not able to get the effects of improving depression. In summary, based on the activities of the elderly, three groups of elderly were identified and the important characteristics of each type were identified. In addition, this study sought to identify the mechanism by which the behavior of the elderly on smart toy affects the lives of the actual elderly, and to derive user needs and insights.