• Title/Summary/Keyword: workers' health and safety

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A Study on International Trend and Korean Measures regarding Ship Recycling (선박 재활용에 관한 국제동향 및 우리나라의 대응방안 연구)

  • Yun, Jong-Hwui;Gug, Seung-Gi;Lim, Jae-Dong;Ha, Min-Jae;Moon, Jung-Hwan
    • Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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    • 2007.11a
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    • pp.69-75
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    • 2007
  • Guidelines on ship recycling are adopted internationally. UNEP adopted 'Basel Convention', providing Environmentally Sound Management(ESM) of facilities and recommendations. IMO adopted 'Guidelines on Ship Recycling', providing measures for worker's safety, how to control pollutant materials and the meaning of 'Green Passport'. IMO Convention (draft) is in progress. ILO adopted ILO Guideline', providing how to make sure safety and health for workers in shipbreaking. But Republic of Korea goes against the stream and there is much to be desired. At this point of time, we carried out a study on international trend regarding ship recycling, a plan to cope with international trend, and it is considered to be necessary to establish a special law on ship recycling.

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Risk Factor Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Symptoms for Guards

  • Lee, Kyung-Sun;Lee, In-Seok;Kim, Hyun-Joo;Jung-Choi, KyungHee;Bahk, Jin-Wook;Jung, Myung-Chul
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.419-426
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    • 2011
  • Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate a work of guards, using an ergonomic method(work analysis and posture analysis). Background: Most studies about guards were conducted in the field of medical, problems of shift, and the physical problems of old workers and social problems. But, guards consist of vulnerability group so it needs an ergonomic research in musculoskeletal disorders. Method: A head of an ergonomic estimation was work analysis(determination of combined task, work tool, work time and frequency of combined task) and posture analysis(upper body and lower body) of workers based on the video. Results: The result showed that combined task of guards was classification of patrolling, security, cleaning and waiting. The security indicated the highest ratio in the work time of combined tasks. The results of posture analysis for guards indicated high value in neutral. But, lower arm indicated high value in bending(left: 59%, right: 50%). Conclusion: The results of ergonomic methods indicated that guards' physical work load was not high during work, but comfortable work environment would be required for old guards. Application: If an ergonomic rule can be integrated into existing work environments, the risk of occupational injuries and stress will be reduced.

Study in Occupational Exposure to Radiations and Radioactive Isotopes (방사선 및 방사성동위원소 근로자 피폭실태 연구)

  • Lee, Du-Yong;Kim, Kwang-Jin;Park, Hee-Chan
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.9 no.6
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    • pp.247-255
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    • 2009
  • This study aims to provide basic data for establishing the safety and health plan by investigating the exposure conditions in the facilities registering business about handling radiations and radioactive isotopes in Korea. dose levels(working space, worker location) of the workers in 153 facilities were measured using surveymeter, and individual exposure concentration[(shallow dose(SD), depth dose(DD)] in 27 facilities using thermal luminescence dosimeter(TLD). In accordance with the measurement results by business type[fire fighting prevention business(FFPB, n=10), financial insurance business(FIB, n=3) and other facilities(n=140)] using surveymeter, those three business type groups showed difference (p<0.000). Dose levels of worker location for FFPB and FIB were significantly higher than 10.0 ${\mu}Sv$/hr, the allowable standard for radiations and radioactive isotopes, and they were higher 109.3 times(p<0.000) and 187.5 times(p<0.000) than those in other facilities. The concentration of TLD[FFPB(n=10), other facility (n=17)] in DD of FFPB was significantly higher than that in other facility(p=0.05). In accordance with the analysis result on relationship between surveymeter and TLD, the dose on working space and worker location(r=0.406, p<0.05), worker location dose and SD(r=0.453, p<0.05), worker location dose and DD(r=0.553, p<0.01), and SD and DD(r=0.927, p<0.001) had all related each other. It is urgently required to change FFPB and FIB from the facilities requiring registration for handling radiations and radioactive isotopes to the facilities that shall get permission for handling radiations and radioactive isotopes by reestablishing the legal administration area, for safety and health of radiation occupants.

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.

Investigation into Air Pollution in Car Shipping Workshop in Pyeongtaek Port (자동차 선적작업장의 공기오염 실태조사)

  • Kim, Ji-Ho;Won, Jong-Uk;Kim, Chi-Nyon;Roh, Jaehoon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.44-53
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    • 2006
  • This study purposed to investigate air pollution in car shipping yards and, for this purpose, we selected an outdoor open-air yard and an indoor ramp into the ship and measured the concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10, PM2.5 and heavy metals in the air. The results of this study are as follows. No significant difference was observed in temperature and humidity between the outdoor and indoor workshop, and the average air flow was 0.52 m/s in the indoor workshop, which is higher than 0.19 m/s in the outdoor workshop(p<0.01). The average concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10 and PM2.5 according to workplace were 0.03 ppm(${\pm}0.01$), 0.03 ppm(${\pm}0.01$), 0.46 ppm(${\pm}0.22$), $39.44{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}2.45$) and $5.45{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}1.15$) respectively in the outdoor workshop, and 0.15 ppm(${\pm}0.05$), 0.22 ppm(${\pm}0.06$), 8.85 ppm(${\pm}3.35$), $236.39{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}58.21$) and $152.43{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}35.42$) respectively in the indoor workshop. Thus, the concentrations of gaseous substances in the indoor workshop were 4.9-19.2 times higher than those in the outdoor workshop, and the concentrations of fine dusts were 5.9-27.9 times higher(p<0.01). In addition, according to the result of investigating pollutant concentrations according to displacement and the number of car loaded when shipping gasoline cars into the ship, no significant relation between the number of cars loaded and pollutants was observed in shipping passenger cars, but the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide got somewhat higher with the increase of the number of cars loaded(p<0.05). In addition, the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10 and PM2.5 in the air were significantly higher when shipping recreational vehicles, the displacement of which is larger than passenger cars, than when shipping passenger cars(p<0.01). On the other hand, the average heavy metal concentrations of the air in indoor workshop were: lead $-0.05{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.10$); chromium $-0.90{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.18$); zinc $-0.38{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.24$); copper $-0.18{\mu}g/m^3$(${\pm}0.22$); and manganese and cadmium not detected. In addition, the complaining rates of 'asthma,' a major symptom of chronic respiratory diseases, were 18.5% and 22.5% respectively in indoor workers and outdoor workers. Thus the rate was somewhat higher in indoor workers but the difference was not statistically significant. The complaining rates of 'chronic cough' and 'chronic phlegm' were very low and little different between indoor and outdoor workers. The results of this study show that the reason for the higher air pollution in indoor than in outdoor workshop is incomplete combustion of fuel due to sudden start and over-speed when cars are driven inside the ship. In order to prevent high air pollution, efficient management measures should be taken including the observance of the optimal speed, the improvement of old ships and the installation of efficient ventilation system.

Evaluation of Radon Exposure During Highway Tunnel Construction by New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM 공법에 의한 고속도로 터널 공사 중 라돈 노출 평가)

  • Ye-Ji Yu;Hyoung-Ryoul Kim;Mo-Yeol Kang;Sangjun Choi
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.33 no.2
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    • pp.115-125
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    • 2023
  • Objectives: This study was conducted to measure the level of radon in the air at a highway tunnel construction site in a gneiss area using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) and to evaluate exposure levels by occupation. Methods: Radon concentrations in the air were measured using E-PERM at points 300 m, 600 m, and 900 m from the tunnel entrance during the excavation and waterproofing work inside the tunnel. In addition, radon concentrations were measured during external excavation to compare with the inside of the tunnel. Personal exposure levels for major occupations including tunnel workers, construction equipment operators, waterproofers, shotcrete workers, and safety and health managers who participated in the construction were estimated using radon concentration measured in the work process area and working hours by occupation. Results: As a result of a total of 77 radon measurements, the geometric mean (GM) concentration was 71.1 Bq/m3, and the maximum concentration was 127.3 Bq/m3, which was below the indoor air quality criteria. Radon concentration by process decreased in the order of the tunnel excavation process (GM= Bq/m3, GSD=1.2), waterproofing process (GM=73.35 Bq/m3, GSD=1.2), and outside excavating process (GM=45.28 Bq/m3, GSD=1.2). Processes inside the tunnel were significantly higher than outside excavating processes (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in radon concentration measured inside by distance from the tunnel entrance, but the innermost point of the tunnel, 900 m (GM=79.24 Bq/m3, GSD=1.27), measured the highest. Conclusions: The occupation with the highest individual exposure to radon was tunnel worker (64.16 Bq/m3), followed by construction equipment driver (64.04 Bq/m3) and waterproofer (63.13 Bq/m3).

A Study on the Crisis Management Standard Manual for Large-scale Human Accident at Workplace for Efficiency of Disaster Response (재난대응 효율화를 위한 사업장 대규모 인적사고 위기관리 표준매뉴얼 개정방안 연구)

  • Woo Sub Shim;Sang Beam Kim
    • Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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    • v.19 no.3
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    • pp.656-664
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    • 2023
  • Purpose: The Ministry of Employment and Labor manages disasters based on the standard manual for risk management of large-scale human accidents in workplaces when large-scale disasters such as fires and collapses occur in workplaces. We are going to check the standard manual currently in operation and suggest improvement plans for the insufficient items. Method: Accordingly, the standard manual was checked together with internal and external experts in the disaster management manual and disaster management staff at headquarters and local government offices, and items to be improved were identified with priority. Result: In case of a collapse accident, it is necessary for the Ministry of Public Administration and Security to accurately present the selection criteria in order to eliminate the controversy over the selection of the disaster management department. In addition, it seems necessary to supplement the details of the disaster safety communication network operation and evacuation guidelines. Conclusion: In the future, in order to improve the disaster management system that meets the public's eye level, it is expected to prepare a standard manual for risk management of large-scale human accidents in workplaces that guarantees the lives and safety of workers through the collection of opinions from experts in the relevant field, disaster management personnel, and the general public.

Statement by the Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine on the proposed reform of working hours in South Korea

  • Hee-Tae Kang;Chul-Ju Kim;Dong-Wook Lee;Seung-Gwon Park;Jinwoo Lee;Kanwoo Youn;Hwan-Cheol Kim;Kyoung Sook Jeong;Hansoo Song;Sung-Kyung Kim;Sang-Baek Koh
    • Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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    • v.35
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    • pp.17.1-17.6
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    • 2023
  • The current 52-hour workweek in South Korea consists of 40 hours of regular work and 12 hours of overtime. Although the average working hours in South Korea is declining, it is still 199 hours longer than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 1,716 hours per year. In view to this, the South Korean government has now proposed to reform the workweek, mainly intending to increase the workweek to 69 hours when the workload is heavy. This reform, by increasing the labor intensity due to long working hours, goes against the global trend of reducing work hours for a safe and healthy working environment. Long working hours can lead to increased cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, industrial accidents, mental health problems, and safety accidents due to lack of concentration. In conclusion, the Korean government's working hour reform plan can have a negative impact on workers' health, and therefore it should be thoroughly reviewed and modified.

The Related Factor on a Work Environment of Hairdressers and a Subjective Symptom of Respiratory Organ (미용사들의 작업환경과 호흡기 자각증상과의 관련요인)

  • Lee, Gye-Suk;Lee, Myoung-Hee
    • Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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    • v.17 no.6
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    • pp.1215-1224
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    • 2008
  • This research has measured the indoor environment of thirty hair salons, which are located on Gunsan-Si, Jeonlabbuk-Do, from April 1st to April 30th 2005, to examine the related factors on a work environment of hairdressers and a revelation of respiratory symptom, and has polled 260 hairdressers and 350 office workers. After measuring the physical environment of hair salons, the room temperature, the relative humidity and the illumination was in an agreeable range, and 60 percent of hair salons depended on the natural ventilation through the windows. The levels of acetone, toluene and xylene, which were measured at the hair salons, were all under the safety standards (p<0.05), but these are still harmful and volatile matters, so they can be bad for your health by the contact of skin and respiration. The harmful factors that affect a revelation of respiratory symptom were the group who has many exposures of permanent wave or bleaching/dyeing and not many experiences of hairdressing work, the group who smokes every day, and the group who never exercises at all (p<0.05). This result shows that there are possibilities of health problem for hairdressers from the constant and repeating hairdressing works with the exposure of chemicals such as the permanent, bleaching and dyeing. so that hairdressers recognize that they need appropriate ventilation facilities for their agreeable indoor-environments. And also, to prevent the direct exposure of chemicals as much as they can, they need to have an active management of an individual health care by wearing gloves, mask or something like that.

Job Satisfaction and Its Related Factors among Radiological Technologists (일 광역시 방사선사의 직무만족도와 관련요인)

  • Moon, Il-Bong;Choi, Nam-Gil;Sohn, Seok-Joon
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.165-176
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    • 2006
  • Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate job satisfaction and its related factors among radiological technologists. Methods: The subjects were 302 persons in various hospitals and the data were collected from 22 May to 17 July, 2005 using a structured questionnaire. It was composed of socio-demographic characteristics, job-related factors, and job satisfaction with the duty inner factors, the duty outside factors, and the organizational factors. Results: Men were more satisfied than women in their employment(p<0.05). Job satisfaction level of university hospital workers were higher than the general hospital, the hospital, and medical clinics. Job satisfaction level of the general radiological technologists showed lower than the chief radiological technologists (p<0.05). In monthly average grant, the more gained, the higher the satisfaction level(p<0.05). By multiple linear regression analysis, the related factors of job satisfaction level were medical field and duty position (p<0.05). Conclusions: The research shows that job satisfactions levels of the radiological technologists are determined by the health and safety of the work environment. Therefore more improvements must be made for radiological technologists to be more satisfied in their jobs.

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