Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Tae Woo Kim

5 Articles

Relationship between Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Non-fatal Occupational Injuries in Construction Workers in Korea: Seung Won Yoo, Hye Eun Lee, Dong Hee Koh, Kyoo Sang Kim, Tae Woo Kim, Min Gi Kim, Kyeong Yeol Yu; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2011;23(1):9-17. Published online March 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2011.23.1.9

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to assess the relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and non-fatal injuries in construction workers.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study involving 1,836 male construction workers in petrochemical plants in Korea. For this study, a structured self-reported questionnaire(KOSHA CODE H-30-2003) was used. Musculoskeletal symptoms were defined as symptoms that affect the operation of the musculoskeletal system, for longer than one week or a frequency of more than once per month. To evaluate the association between musculoskeletal symptoms and non-fatal occupatioanl injuries, multiple logistic-regressions were used after adjusting for age, exercise, smoking status, alcohol consumption, work time, work duration, and income.
RESULTS
A total of 140 workers were involved in non-fatal injuries cases, representing 7.6% prevalence. After adjusting for confounding variables, the logistic regression analyses indicated the group with musculoskeletal symptoms(OR 1.73 95% CI:1.21~2.47) and intensity criteria of musculoskeletal symptoms as related to 'moderate' criteria(OR 1.82 95% CI:1.18~2.81) or 'severe' criteria(OR 2.57 95% CI:1.43~4.63). This identified group was more likely to experience non-fatal occupational injuries. However, a 'mild' criteria(OR 1.00 95% CI:0.51~1.99) was not associated with non-fatal occupational injuries.
CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated a possible association between musculoskeletal symptoms and non-fatal injuries. Hence, strengthening of laws and regulations, effective ergonomic programs and training is necessary to prevent musculoskeletal symptoms.

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Analysis of Cost Benefit Related to Appointing a Health Care Manager in the Construction Industry
Hye-Sun Jung, Jee-Seon Yi, In-Jae Shin, Eun-Hi Choi
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2016; 25(2): 130. CrossRef
Prevalence and Characteristics of Musculoskeletal Pain in Korean Farmers
David Min, Sora Baek, Hee-won Park, Sang-Ah Lee, Jiyoung Moon, Jae E. Yang, Ki Sung Kim, Jee Yong Kim, Eun Kyoung Kang
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2016; 40(1): 1. CrossRef
Cancer incidence and mortality among temporary maintenance workers in a refinery/petrochemical complex in Korea
Dong-Hee Koh, Eun-Kyo Chung, Jae-Kil Jang, Hye-Eun Lee, Hyang-Woo Ryu, Kye-Mook Yoo, Eun-A Kim, Kyoo-Sang Kim
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health.2014; 20(2): 141. CrossRef
Study on the Musculoskeletal Subjective Symptoms Disorders and Health Promotion Behavior of Daily Plant Construction Workers in One Area
Ja-Sook Kim, Ja-Ok Kim, Ji-Yong Seo, Hack-Sun Kim
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2014; 23(1): 28. CrossRef

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Relationship between Job Stress and Depressive Symptoms among Field Firefighters: Tae Woo Kim, Kyoo Sang Kim, Yeon Soon Ahn; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2010;22(4):378-387. Published online December 31, 2010; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2010.22.4.378

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the relationship between job stress and depressive symptoms among field firefighters.
METHODS
We carried out a survey of 17,457 field firefighters using the KOSS-24 (Korean Occupational Stress Scales-24) and CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale).
RESULTS
The mean CES-D score was 12.2+/-9.6 and 19.2% of subjects had depressive symptoms. Job insecurity (OR=2.70, 95% CI=2.45~2.98) and lack of reward (OR=2.41, 95% CI=2.18~2.65), occupational climate (OR=2.38, 95% CI=2.15~2.63) were strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Job demand (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.69~2.10), insufficient job control (OR=1.14, 95% CI=1.03~1.25), interpersonal conflict (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.87~2.26) and organizational system (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.66~2.02) were also significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Alcohol dependence had a stronger association than with normal subjects (OR=2.39, 95% CI=2.07~2.77).
CONCLUSIONS
In field firefighters, job stress factors and alcohol dependence were associated with depressive symptoms. An intervention to reduce job stress and alcohol among field firefighters is needed to reduce depression in this population.

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Comparison of the risks of occupational diseases, avoidable hospitalization, and all-cause deaths between firefighters and non-firefighters: A cohort study using national health insurance claims data
Woo-Ri Lee, Haejong Lee, Eun Woo Nam, Jin-Won Noh, Jin-Ha Yoon, Ki-Bong Yoo
Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
The effect of a mental health promotion program on Korean firefighters
Geun Hui Won, Jin Hyeok Lee, Tae Young Choi, Seoyoung Yoon, So Yeun Kim, Ju Hyun Park
International Journal of Social Psychiatry.2020; 66(7): 675. CrossRef
Stress Relief and Related Factors in Camp Program for Firefighters
Jungha Shin, Minyoung Sim, Junghyun H. Lee, Da Young Lee, Kyungsun Jeon, Seunga Oh, Jiae Kim, Okju Kim, Jungil Yang, Heebong Lee
Stress.2018; 26(2): 88. CrossRef
Factors associated with suicide ideation among subway drivers in Korea
Junsu Byun, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee, Se-Eun Kim, Jongin Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2016;[Epub] CrossRef
The effect of organisational system on self-rated depression in a panel of male municipal firefighters
Se-Jin An, Yun Kyung Chung, Bong Hyun Kim, Kyeong Min Kwak, Jun-Seok Son, Jung-wan Koo, Young-Su Ju, Young-Jun Kwon
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Correlation between Fatigue and Quality of Life Caused by Stress of Researchers' Work
Hye Joo Park, Yun Young Kim, Ki Hyun Park, Si Woo Lee, Jong-Hyang Yoo
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2014; 23(3): 171. CrossRef
Impact of symptoms of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders on health related Quality of Life in firefighter under the IT environment
Gyung-Jae Oh, Jeong-Mi Lee, Chung-Yong Yang, Hyung-Ju Park, Yun-Hee Park, Chan-Uk Yoo, Eun-Yeong Kang, Bok-Hee Chong
The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences.2014; 9(3): 311. CrossRef
Relationships of Job Stress, Fatigue & Depression among one Ship-building Supply Workers
Sang-Dol Kim
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2014; 15(5): 2789. CrossRef
The Associated Domains of Job Stress for the Depression among Local Public Officials
Hyun-Hee Park, So-Yeon Ryu, Bo-Eun Kim, In-Ae Chun, Myung-Guon Kim
The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences.2013; 8(9): 1373. CrossRef
Relationship between Occupational Stress and Depression of Construction Workers
Mi-Ra Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2011; 20(3): 279. CrossRef
Effects of Perception of Job Stress and Stress Coping Style on Mental Health of Firefighters
Ho Jin Lee, Hee Sook Kim, Sang Yeon Park
Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.2011; 20(3): 315. CrossRef

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A Case Study of a Foundry Worker with Localized Asbestosis: an Uncommon Occurrence in Korea: Tae Woo Kim, Dong Hee Koh, Min Gi Kim, Seung Won Yoo, Hyang Woo Ryu, Jeong Hee Han, Soon Hee Jung; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(2):201-208. Published online June 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.2.201

Abstract PDF

BACKGROUND
Foundry workers are known to be exposed to silica and have an increased risk of silicosis. There are also reports that state these foundry workers were associated with asbestos-related change in the X-ray results of the lungs. This report discusses a case of localized asbestosis developed in a foundry worker who worked in 12 Korean foundries.
CASE
REPORT: A 49-year-old man who worked at molding and melting for 30 years, presented with sore throat, cough and yellow sputum for 1 month. From physical and clinical examination, pulmonary tuberculosis was highly suspicious; therefore, he was medicated for 6 months. After tuberculosis medication, the radiological finding was reactivation of tuberculosis, and an asbestos body was detected at a transbronchial lung biopsy. During an operation, operators found multiple palpable masses and bullae localized in the right upper lobe (RUL) and performed right upper lobectomy and right middle lobe wedge resection. Using hematoxylin-eosin stain and iron stain, we could detect asbestos bodies by light microscopy. We analyzed the asbestos fiber burden in dry lung tissue by transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (TEM-EDX). The fiber type was chrysotile and the fiber burden was 23.26x106 fiber/g dry lung.
DISCUSSION
This case study of a foundry worker with localized asbestosis is uncommon in Korea. We found an occupational relationship between the foundry worker and localized asbestosis through various investigative techniques such as measurements taken at his working environment, clinical, radiological and pathological examination of the foundry worker and mineralogical examination of the asbestos fiber.

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Sustainable management of hazardous asbestos-containing materials: Containment, stabilization and inertization
Shiv Bolan, Leela Kempton, Timothy McCarthy, Hasintha Wijesekara, Udara Piyathilake, Tahereh Jasemizad, Lokesh P. Padhye, Tao Zhang, Jörg Rinklebe, Hailong Wang, M.B. Kirkham, Kadambot H.M. Siddique, Nanthi Bolan
Science of The Total Environment.2023; 881: 163456. CrossRef

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The Status and Characteristics of Industrial Accidents for Migrant Workers in Korea Compared with Native Workers: Sun Wung Lee, Kyoo Sang Kim, Tae Woo Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(4):351-361. Published online December 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.4.351

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To analyze the status and characteristics of the industrial accidents of migrant workers with comparison to those of native workers.
METHODS
The industrial accident rate of migrant workers was estimated by the annual number of industrial accidents divided by the total number of annual labor population multiplied by the annual admission rate of industrial accident insurance. The characteristics of industrial accidents for total migrant workers were assessed and compared with those of total native workers (from 2004 to 2006). In addition, we compared the industrial accidental characteristics of the 7,210 native workers and the 458 migrant workers employed in the Incheon area who received compensation from the industrial accident insurance in 2006.
RESULTS
In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the total annual industrial accident rates of the migrant workers were 0.93%, 0.90%, and 1.06%, the injury accident rates were 0.90%, 0.86%, and 1.00%, the number of injury deaths per 10,000 persons were 2.29, 2.22, and 2.39, and the disease rates were 0.011%, 0.014%, and 0.027%, respectively. As for the cause of injury, rolled/jammed and cutting-type injuries were more prevalent in the migrant workers. With the standardization of job category, industry size and work tenure, the rolled/jammed-type injury was still significantly more prevalent in the migrant workers.
CONCLUSIONS
Even considering the exclusion of the possible missing numbers of the submission of industrial accident cases, and the numbers of workplaces not registered for industrial accident insurance, the publicized statistics confirm the higher industrial accident rate of migrant workers compared to ative workers. Especially, the injury death rate was 2.2 times higher for migrant workers than for native workers in 2006. In addition, the remarkably lower occupational disease rate of the migrant workers compared to that of the native workers, suggested that numerous cases of disease were not reported. Finally, the lack of communication and former education that usually lead to the most prevalent injury type, i.e., the rolled/jammed type, supported our conclusion that the migrant workers were in need of more education regarding workplace safety.

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Migrant well-being and undocumented status in South Korea: a cross-sectional assessment of physical, psychological, social well-being, and health behaviors
Sun Yeop Lee, Woong-Han Kim, Jongho Heo
International Journal for Equity in Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Vulnerable Factors Affecting Urinary N-Methylformamide Concentration among Migrant Workers in Manufacturing Industries in Comparison with Native Workers in the Republic of Korea (2012–2019)
Kyung-Eun Lee, Kayoung Park, Dong Joon Park, Sungkyun Park
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(20): 13450. CrossRef
Characteristics of forklift accidents in korean industrial sites
Kwan Woo Kim
Work.2021; 68(3): 679. CrossRef
Perceived Risk Factors for Suicide among Nepalese Migrant Workers in South Korea
Madhu Sudhan Atteraya, Nasser B. Ebrahim, Shreejana Gnawali
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(12): 6368. CrossRef
A Study of the Development of Alcohol Use Disorder in Muslim Immigrant Workers in Korea
Sun Kyung Kang, Ji Hyun Ro, Seungnam Shin
Journal of Social Service Research.2020; 46(2): 187. CrossRef
Factors Affecting Unmet Healthcare Needs of Working Married Immigrant Women in South Korea
Jinseon Yi, Insook Lee
Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2018; 29(1): 41. CrossRef
Human resource factors associated with workplace safety and health education of small manufacturing businesses in Korea
Kyoung-Ok Park
Journal of Occupational Health.2018; 60(1): 94. CrossRef
Multiple Risk Factors for Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses in Korean-Chinese Migrant Workers
Hyeonkyeong Lee, Duckhee Chae, Kwan Hyung Yi, Soye Im, Sung Hye Cho
Workplace Health & Safety.2015; 63(1): 18. CrossRef
Effects of a 12 week self‐managed stretching program among Korean–Chinese female migrant workers in Korea: A randomized trial
Hyeonkyeong Lee, Duckhee Chae, JoEllen Wilbur, Arlene Miller, Kyongeun Lee, Hwaeun Jin
Japan Journal of Nursing Science.2014; 11(2): 121. CrossRef
A basic research on risk control measure for reducing the fishermen's occupational accident in offshore and coastal fishing vessel
Wook-Sung Kim, Young-Bok Cho, Seok-Jae Kim, Kyong-Jin Ryu, Yoo-Won Lee
Journal of the Korean society of Fisheries Technology.2014; 50(4): 614. CrossRef
Experiences of Middle-aged Korean-Chinese Female Migrant Workers in Korea: With Focus on Risk Factors in Work-related Musculoskeletal Diseases
Hyeonkyeong Lee, Duckhee Chae, Kyongeun Lee, Meenhye Lee
Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing.2013; 24(2): 185. CrossRef
The Prevalence of Chronic Diseases among Migrants in Korea According to Their Length of Stay and Residential Status
Choong-Hyung Lee, Jae-Moon Yun, Jong-Soo Han, Sang-Min Park, Young-Su Park, Seung-Kwon Hong
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2012; 33(1): 34. CrossRef
Application of Community-Based Participatory Research Principles
Hyeonkyeong Lee, Duckhee Chae, Kyongeun Lee, Meenhye Lee
Workplace Health & Safety.2012; 60(7): 313. CrossRef
I never expected to be a disabled person in another country: the stories of migrant workers with acquired disabilities in Korea
Kyung Mee Kim
Disability & Society.2011; 26(5): 553. CrossRef
Prevalence of Low Back Symptom and Impact of Job Stress among Working Women as Clinical Nurses in University Hospitals
Kyung-Jae Lee, Joo Ja Kim, Jeung-Im Kim
Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2011; 17(5): 484. CrossRef
Psychosocial Factors and Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Southeastern Asian Female Workers Living in Korea
Hyeonkyeong Lee, Hyunmi Ahn, Chang Gi Park, Sun Jung Kim, Sun Hye Moon
Safety and Health at Work.2011; 2(2): 183. CrossRef
A Comparison of Blood Lead Levels between Migrant and Native Lead Workers Before and After Implementation of a New Employment Permit System for Migrant Workers
Nam-Soo KIM, Byung-Kook LEE
Industrial Health.2011; 49(2): 235. CrossRef

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A Case of Epitheloid Sarcoma on Metal Cutoff Worker: Min Gi Kim, Kyoo Sang Kim, Tae Woo Kim, Hyung Woo Ryu, Jae Hong Ryoo; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(2):147-152. Published online June 30, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.2.147

Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare condition with many causative factors. However a soft tissue sarcoma from a metallic foreign body and injury is rare. We report a case of a soft tissue sarcoma caused by a metallic foreign body and injury.
CASE
The patient had been worked as a metal cutter for 17 years. While working, his palms were constantly pricked by small metallic splinters, which were generally removed after work. On march 2004, he had palpitated mass on his right palm. On November 2006, a right hand x-ray showed a mass and metallic foreign body at the 1st volar space which was confirmed to be an epitheloid sarcoma. All metallic products of his workplace contained chromium and Nickel. which are known to cause soft tissue sarcomas. A review of the literature revealed foreign-body and injury induced oxidative and nitrative stress to be associated with a developing sarcoma. In addition, Cr and Ni are associated with the development of sarcoma. Therefore it was concluded this case of epitheloid sarcoma was associated with his employment.
CONCLUSION
A soft-tissue sarcoma associated with a metal foreign-body and injury is rare and their relationship is difficult understand. If a case of sarcoma is encountered on a metal associated worker, their job association should be considered.

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