Compensation for Occupational Skin Diseases

The Korean list of occupational skin diseases was amended in July 2013. The past list was constructed according to the causative agent and the target organ, and the items of that list had not been reviewed for a long period. The revised list was reconstructed to include diseases classified by the International Classification of Diseases (10th version). Therefore, the items of compensable occupational skin diseases in the amended list in Korea comprise contact dermatitis; chemical burns; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; tar-related skin diseases; infectious skin diseases; skin injury-induced cellulitis; and skin conditions resulting from physical factors such as heat, cold, sun exposure, and ionized radiation. This list will be more practical and convenient for physicians and workers because it follows a disease-based approach. The revised list is in accordance with the International Labor Organization list and is refined according to Korean worker's compensation and the actual occurrence of occupational skin diseases. However, this revised list does not perfectly reflect the actual status of skin diseases because of the few cases of occupational skin diseases, incomplete statistics of skin diseases, and insufficient scientific evidence. Thus, the list of occupational diseases should be modified periodically on the basis of recent evidence and statistics.

Effect of the Prevention Programs for Musculoskeletal Disorders in one Farming Village / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to introduce the prevention programs for musculoskeletal disorders in one farming village. METHODS: We visited the village hall 12 times and gave an education program 9 times to residents. At the beginning, the middle, and the end of the program, we evaluated musculoskeletal disorders by doctors, musculoskeletal pains using the visual analogue scale, muscular strengths and flexibilities and musculoskeletal functions using structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Fifty seven residents participated in this program at least one time, 20 (35.1%) were males and 37 (64.9%) were females. The mean age of participants is 60.7 (+/-8.1). Forty three residents were evaluated by doctors at least one time. Thirty three residents were diagnosed to at least one musculoskeletal disease. The severity of pains of neck-shoulders, low backs, and leg-knees tended to decline while 3 tests went by and those of the 3rd test are less severe than the 1st test statistically significantly (p<0.05). Musculoskeletal functions were improved as tests went by but not differed statistically significantly. Muscular strengths and flexibilities were better in the 1st than the 3rd test statistically significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the program were held in off-season for farmers and the number of participants are small, through the program, musculoskeletal pains and functions were improved and muscular strengths and flexibilities were strengthened. We think that the program needs to be held during the busy farming season as well as the off-season.