• Title/Summary/Keyword: work environmental factors

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Suggestion for the Prevention of Occupational Cancer in Korea (한국에서의 직업성 암 예방을 위한 제언)

  • Kim, Won;Kim, Shin-Bum;Choi, In-Ja;Kwag, Hyun-Seok
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.518-526
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    • 2010
  • There are millions of deaths from cancer worldwide every year. Among them, 4~10% are considered to be attributable to occupational factors and 0.6 million workers die annually from work-related cancers. Occupational cancers are relatively preventable compared with the cancers associated with other factors. In the developed countries, especially in Europe, there have been hundreds of occupational cancers reported annually in the respective nation-states. However, there were only 35 cases reported in Korea in the 1990s which were accepted as being work-related cancers. This difference might be related to a low level of recognition, detection, and acceptance of occupational cancer and carcinogens in Korea. To prevent the risk of exposure to carcinogens a comprehensive list of carcinogens must be prepared. This should be followed by timely dissemination of information which will enable fundamental controls to be implemented, such as the imposition of ban, substitution, and engineering controls. This will require setting up procedures to record the past use and exposure data and carrying out robust statistical analyses of that data on occupational cancers and carcinogens.

Factors Related with Job Satisfaction in Workers - Through the Application of NIOSH Job Stress Model - (직장인의 직무만족도 관련요인 분석 - NIOSH의 직무스트레스 모형을 적용하여 -)

  • Kim, Soon-Lae;Lee, Bok-Im;Lee, Jong-Eun;Rhee, Kyung-Yong;Jung, Hye-Sun
    • Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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    • v.14 no.2
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    • pp.190-199
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    • 2003
  • This study was conducted to determine the factors affecting job satisfaction in workers by using the Job Stress Model proposed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Data were collected from December 1 to December 30, 1999. The subjects were 2,133 workers employed at 155 work sites, who were examined using NIOSH Job Stress questionnaire translated by the Korea Occupational Safety ${\pounds}|$ Health Academy and Occupational Safety ${\pounds}|$ Health Research Institute. SAS/PC program was used for statistical analysis using descriptive analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficient, ANOVA, and Stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results of this study were as follows. 1. According to general characteristics of the subjects, job satisfaction was high in those with less number of children. 2. By work condition, job satisfaction was higher in those who were working in a permanent job position, were working with regular time basis than with shift basis, were working in regular shift hours than in changing shift hours, were working for a short period, and were working less hours and overtime works per week. 3. In terms of physical work environment, job satisfaction was significantly related to 10 physical environmental factors. In other words, job satisfaction was high in workers who were working in an environment with no noise, bright light, temperature adjusted to an appropriate level during summer and winter, humidity adjusted to an appropriate level. well ventilation, clean air, no exposure to hazardous substance during work hour, overall pleasant work environment and not crowded work space. 4. By work-related factors, job satisfaction was high in those with less ambiguity about future job and role, high job control/autonomy, and less workload. On the other hand, job satisfaction was low in those with little utilization of competencies, and much role conflict at work and workload. 5. As for the relationships between job satisfaction and the non-work related factors, job satisfaction was high in workers who were volunteering at different organizations or active in religious activities for 5-10 hours per week. 6. In the relationships between job satisfaction and buffering factors, significantly positive correlations were found between job satisfaction and factors such as support by direct superior, support by peers, and support by spouse, friend and family. 7. There were nine factors that affected job satisfaction in the workers: age, number of children, work hours per week, noise, temperature at the work site during summer, uncomfortable physical environment, role ambiguity, role conflict, ambiguity in job future, work load, no utilization of competencies and social support from direct supervisor. These nine factors accounted for 26% of the total variance in the multiple regression analysis. In conclusion. the following are proposed based on the results of this study. 1. The most important physical environmental factors affecting job satisfaction in workers were noise, role ambiguity, and work load, suggesting a need to develop strategies or programs to manage these factors at work sites. 2. A support system that could promote job satisfaction is needed by emphasizing the roles of occupational health nurses who may be stationed at work sites and manage the factors that could generate job stress. 3. Job satisfaction is one of the three acute responses to stress proposed in NIOSH job stress model (job satisfaction. physical discomfort and industrial accidents). Therefore, further studies need to be conducted on the other two issues.

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Factors Influencing Perceived Fatigue and Health Promotion Behavior among Hair Dressers (미용사의 지각된 피로도와 건강증진행위에 영향을 미치는 요인)

  • Lee, Mi-Ja;Han, Sam-Sung;Yoo, Wang-Keun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.28 no.4
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    • pp.374-381
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    • 2018
  • Objective: This study was carried out to examine the factors affecting the fatigue and health promotion behavior of hairdressers and their respective levels. The data were collected from 195 hairdressers working in beauty shops in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province using self-administered questionnaires over the period from July 1 to July 31. Methods: A multiple regression model was used to study the factors influencing fatigue and health promotion behavior among hairdressers. Results: This study showed a statistically significant difference in perceived fatigue levels and health promotion behavior according to age, family type, education level, work period, work position, and fatigue level in the past one week. In addition, multiple regression showed that statistically significant factors affecting perceived fatigue were education level, work period, and fatigue level in the past one week. Statistically significant factors affecting health promotion behavior were age and fatigue level in the past one week. The level of perceived fatigue among hairdressers tended to be higher than other workers, and their level of practice of health promotion behavior was generally lower. Conclusions: The improvement of the work environment, such as through the distribution of a proper workload considering workers' characteristics and strengthening of exercise programs to reduce the fatigue level and promote health practices among hairdressers is needed.

An Observational Study of Office Workers' Postural Behaviors During Computer Work (사무직 근로자의 컴퓨터 작업 자세의 관찰 연구)

  • Jun, Deok-Hoon;Goo, Mi-Ran
    • PNF and Movement
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    • v.19 no.2
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    • pp.243-250
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    • 2021
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe office workers' postural behaviors during computer work to identify the risk factors for head and thorax postural behaviors. Methods: The participants included 57 office workers who worked longer than 20 hours on a computer. Postural behaviors during computer work were measured using 3-D wearable motion sensors on the forehead and sternum. A multivariate linear regression model evaluated the association between various risk factors (neck pain, demographics, and environmental factors) and non-head and thorax postural behaviors. Results: The participants maintained their head and thorax in neutral postures (defined as 10° extension~10° flexion and 5° extension~10° flexion, respectively) for 24.7% and 39.3% of the total recorded time. Those who reported neck pain at the measurement of postural behaviors showed less time spent in thorax postures. Current neck pain, high desk height, and the distance between the keyboard and the edge of the desk (cm) were found to be related to less time spent in a neutral thorax posture. Conclusion: Office environment factors and current neck pain might affect workers' thorax postures, which might also determine the orientation of head postures during computer work.

A Study on Prevalence and Risk Factors for Varicose Veins in Nurses at a University Hospital

  • Yun, Myeong-Ja;Kim, Young-Ki;Kang, Dong-Mug;Kim, Jong-Eun;Ha, Won-Choon;Jung, Kap-yeol;Choi, Hyun-Woo
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.79-83
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    • 2018
  • Background: Lower-limb varicose veins (VVs) are common and known to have a higher prevalence among people who work in occupations requiring prolonged standing. In the Republic of Korea, however, VV-related occupational factors have seldom been examined. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of VVs among nurses, an occupational group considered to be at high risk of VVs, and determine the occupational risk factors of prolonged standing. Methods: Between March and August 2014, a questionnaire survey coupled with Doppler ultrasonography was conducted on the nurses working at a university hospital. Results: A total of 414 nurses participated in the survey and diagnostic testing. From the survey analysis and test results, the prevalence of VVs in nurses was estimated to be 16.18%. Significant factors for venous reflux were age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.10], pregnancy (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.17-3.94), and delivery (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.08-3.78). The statistical significance of these factors was verified after risk adjustment for sociodemographic factors (OR = 3.40, 95% CI = 1.27-9.09). Conclusion: Factors significantly associated with venous reflux were increasing age and prolonged working hours (${\geq}4hours$) in a standing position (OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.08-7.25), even after risk adjustment for sociodemographic factors. This study is significant in that an objective diagnosis of VVs preceded the analysis of the risk factors for VV incidence, thus verifying objectively that VVs are associated with occupations requiring prolonged hours of working in a standing position.

Study on the indoor exposure factors of phthalates using bio-monitoring data (생체시료를 이용한 프탈레이트의 실내 노출인자 연구)

  • Yang, Ji Yeon;Shin, Dong Chun;Lee, Si Eun;Lee, Geon Woo;Kim, Joon Hyeog;Lee, Yong Jin;Lim, Young Wook
    • Journal of odor and indoor environment
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.315-321
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    • 2018
  • Phthalate is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with homeostasis and developmental regulation. It is highly toxic to the environment and is associated with various diseases of the human body. Using biological samples from 140 adult subjects, to evaluate the influencing factors which are related to contaminant concentration levels, we used correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Lastly, in order to analyze the health effects related to exposure to phthalates, we conducted a risk assessment by estimating acceptable daily intake exposure according to the influential factors. When we compared the concentration level according to influential factors, in general, the subjects who had engaged in home remodeling work had higher urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations levels than the subjects who had not engaged in home remodeling work. We can confirm statistically significant differences in DBP metabolites. In addition, we can confirm the concentration appeared higher in the categories such as using air freshener, sofa and foods. Through conducting a risk assessment of DEHP, BBzP, DiBP, and DnBP by using data on phthalate metabolite concentration in urine, it was found that the average concentration of all metabolites did not exceed TDI.

A Study on Factors Influencing Perceptions of Dental Hygienists' Environmental Working Conditions (치과위생사의 작업환경 인식에 영향을 미치는 요인)

  • Choi, Min-Ji;Park, Eui-Jung
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.46 no.5
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    • pp.539-547
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: This study was performed to emphasize improvement of the perception of dental hygienists' environmental working conditions by analyzing various factors. Methods: Two hundred ninety-eight female dental hygienists working at 35 medical institutions in Daegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province participated. A self-recording type survey was done in October 2016. Results: Factors influencing the perception of infection control was length of career. Dental hygienists with more experience have a higher level of perception. Factors influencing the perception of working posture was the number of patients per day and career level. Dental hygienists seeing 50 or fewer patients per day and senior staff showed higher levels of this perception. Factors influencing the perception of noise in the working area were length of career and lunchtime break. The perception level was high in the group with longer careers and dental hygienists who rest at lunch time. Factors influencing chemical exposure during work were the number of patients per day and the type of institute. Dental hygienists working in dental clinics or dealing with more patients had lower levels of perception. Conclusions: The sociodemographic and working characteristics of dental hygienists influence the perception of dental hygienists' environmental working conditions.

Monitoring of Internal Harmful Factors According to Environmental Factors in Pig Farm (양돈장 내의 환경 요인에 따른 내부 유해인자의 변동 모니터링)

  • Lee, Seong-Won;Kim, Hyo-Cher;Seo, Il-Hwan
    • Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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    • v.62 no.1
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    • pp.105-115
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    • 2020
  • With the decrease of the agricultural population in Korea, the workers who is vulnerable to labor are increasing in agricultural industry because of aging, feminization of population. They are exposed in poor working environment with higher temperature and concentrations of dust, gas. Higher concentration of harmful gas and dust can cause chronic and acute disease to workers depending on exposure intensity and frequency. In order to improve the working environment in the livestock facilities, It is important to secure monitoring data of the thermal environment and the concentration of harmful gases and fine dust. Multi-point measurement was performed to analyze the regional environmental conditions in the pig rooms. When analyzing the working environment, video monitoring was conducted to analyze the concentration changes of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and fine dust according to worker movement and work type. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide monitoring result showed 1.5~2 times higher concentrations than other work when working in the pigs living zone, and 2~4 times higher than other work when working to increase the activity of pigs. In the case of fine dust, the result was 1.3 times higher than the worker's exposure standard in a specific work. The concentrations of gases and dusts from pig farms are not of concern for acute poisoning in normal work, but there is a risk of chronic respiratory disease if they are continuously exposed. Accordingly, there is a need for development of work environment monitoring device tailored to workers and preparation of alternatives.

Severity Analysis for Occupational Heat-related Injury Using the Multinomial Logit Model

  • Peiyi Lyu;Siyuan Song
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.200-207
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    • 2024
  • Background: Workers are often exposed to hazardous heat due to their work environment, leading to various injuries. As a result of climate change, heat-related injuries (HRIs) are becoming more problematic. This study aims to identify critical contributing factors to the severity of occupational HRIs. Methods: This study analyzed historical injury reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contributing factors to the severity of HRIs were identified using text mining and model-free machine learning methods. The Multinomial Logit Model (MNL) was applied to explore the relationship between impact factors and the severity of HRIs. Results: The results indicated a higher risk of fatal HRIs among middle-aged, older, and male workers, particularly in the construction, service, manufacturing, and agriculture industries. In addition, a higher heat index, collapses, heart attacks, and fall accidents increased the severity of HRIs, while symptoms such as dehydration, dizziness, cramps, faintness, and vomiting reduced the likelihood of fatal HRIs. Conclusions: The severity of HRIs was significantly influenced by factors like workers' age, gender, industry type, heat index , symptoms, and secondary injuries. The findings underscore the need for tailored preventive strategies and training across different worker groups to mitigate HRIs risks.

Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptom Factors and Control Strategies in General Hospital Nurses (종합병원 간호사의 근골격계질환 증상요인 및 관리방안)

  • Park, Jung-Keun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.371-382
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    • 2014
  • Objectives: This study was undertaken in order to examine how musculoskeletal disorder(MSD) symptoms were affected by particular factors and then to explore control strategies to prevent MSDs in general hospital nurses. Materials: This, as part of a large study, was conducted using a set of information on literature review, questionnaire survey and focus group interview. It obtained prevalence and factors of MSD symptoms and examined how MSD symptoms were distributed and affected by the factors in nurses working at 15 general hospitals across Korea. The factors were personal factors, work organization, nursing tasks, physical factors and psychosocial factors. Results: A total of 501 nurses were determined as subjects. The highest MSD symptom prevalence was 61% for the shoulder, among body parts, followed by leg/feet(55%), low back(51%), neck(42%), wrist(38%), and elbow(21%). Prevalence for the whole body was 80%. Odds ratios ranged from 0.4 to 22.4 in logistic regression analyses. The symptoms were significantly attributed to factor variables such as body mass index, current health status, daily work time, nursing task, pooled-physical factors, ergonomic factors, work load, interpersonal conflict, and job insecurity. Conclusions: Two or more factor variables were significant, depending on body part, for MSD systems in the general hospital nurses. It was noticeable that physical factors, such as pooled-physical factors, ergonomic factors or work load, were selectively significant for MSD symptoms in all body parts, indicating that such information should be used for prevention of MSDs in the hospital sector.