Effects of Injury and/or Injured Areas on Depression in Korean Patients with Industrial Injuries / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the influence of injury and/or injured area classification on depression in patients with industrial injuries. METHODS: The participants comprised438 patients who consented to participate and completed self-reported questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN version 22.0 for descriptive statistics, χ² test, fisher's exact test, ANOVA, and post-hoc Scheffé test. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing depression. RESULTS: The results indicated that the effect of disease classification and injured areas on depression were significantly different in patients with industrial injuries. The results further showed that severe depression was significantly higher in cardiovascular patients and patients with an injured area of the head and waist. The most powerful predictor was age (50~59 years), return to work (reemployment), disease classification (cardiovascular), and injured area (head, including vascular disease). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the most influential variable of depression in patients with industrial injuries were cardiovascular issues, injury areas of the head and waist, being aged 50~59 years, and reemployment. To reduce depression in these patients, it is important to develop and implement a psychiatric rehabilitation program that helps patients to formulate a concrete plan and goal for recovery, enabling patients to actively engage in their rehabilitation.

An overview of compensated work-related injuries among Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015

BACKGROUND: Although one in two firefighters in South Korea have experienced work-related injuries, there are few studies which show the overview description on work-related injuries and its analysis regarding such causes. Therefore, we aimed to show the overview of compensated work-related injuries in order to serve fundamental data for establishing prevention policies on work-related injuries for Korean firefighters. METHODS: We requested the all claimed work-related injury data of Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015 to the Korean National Fire Agency (NFA). The data from NFA including 2457 claimed cases was analyzed and we confirmed, 2154 approved work-related injuries for the kinds of job activities, cause of accident and type of injuries. Among 2154 approved cases, we analyzed more variables for the sex, age, and job duration of 1344 compensated cases through served text file on summary of accident. RESULTS: The Government Employees Pension Service (GEPS) recognized 2154 (87.7%) approved work-related injuries among 2457 claimed cases. The incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters was 9.8 persons. By region, the incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters ranged from a maximum of 14.5 to a minimum of 4.0. The most common job activity caused the accident was fire suppression (18.0%), followed by Emergency medical services (EMS) (17.5%) and training (10.7%). The most common cause of these accident was movement imbalance (30.3%), followed by falls (18.9%) and traffic accident (13.4%). In these work-related injuries, sprains and bruises were the most common type of injury (27.2%), and the most commonly injured body site was the upper and lower back (25.3%). Data from identified 1344 firefighters showed that 1264 (94.0%) were male and 80 (6.0%) were female. Age group was the highest in the 40s with 623 cases (46.4%), and job duration was the highest with 650 cases in 5–10 years (48.4%). CONCLUSION: In this study, we could obtain the preliminary data necessary to establish preventive measures, including the cause of accident and region with high accident rates. However, the number of applications for compensated injuries was very small compared to the frequency of injuries found in previous studies. The lack of appropriate treatment suggested that many firefighter injuries can become chronic. In this study, we suggest that it is necessary to introduce an injury monitoring system and improve the accessibility of compensated injuries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CR318031. Registered 20 June 2018.

Control of Industrial Safety Based on Dynamic Characteristics of a Safety Budget-Industrial Accident Rate Model in Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: Despite the recent efforts to prevent industrial accidents in the Republic of Korea, the industrial accident rate has not improved much. Industrial safety policies and safety management are also known to be inefficient. This study focused on dynamic characteristics of industrial safety systems and their effects on safety performance in the Republic of Korea. Such dynamic characteristics are particularly important for restructuring of the industrial safety system. METHODS: The effects of damping and elastic characteristics of the industrial safety system model on safety performance were examined and feedback control performance was explained in view of cost and benefit. The implications on safety policies of restructuring the industrial safety system were also explored. RESULTS: A strong correlation between the safety budget and the industrial accident rate enabled modeling of an industrial safety system with these variables as the input and the output, respectively. A more effective and efficient industrial safety system could be realized by having weaker elastic characteristics and stronger damping characteristics in it. A substantial decrease in total social cost is expected as the industrial safety system is restructured accordingly. CONCLUSION: A simple feedback control with proportional–integral action is effective in prevention of industrial accidents. Securing a lower level of elastic industrial accident-driving energy appears to have dominant effects on the control performance compared with the damping effort to dissipate such energy. More attention needs to be directed towards physical and social feedbacks that have prolonged cumulative effects. Suggestions for further improvement of the safety system including physical and social feedbacks are also made.

Psychological Intervention for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among Witnesses of a Fatal Industrial Accident in a Workers' Health Center

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious problem not only among workers who experience industrial accidents but also among workers who witness such accidents. Early intervention is needed to prevent prolonged psychological problems. There has been no study conducted regarding the psychological problems of and interventions for bystander workers in Korea. This study introduces the experience of intervention on psychological problems at the Busan Workers' Health Center workers who witnessed their colleagues' death. An investigation and an intervention were conducted according to the Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) Guide. In total, 21 individuals including indirect observers showed statistical differences on scores of the Impact Event Scale Revised and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 after the intervention. Future interventions and research involving a larger sample size over a longer period are needed. The KOSHA Guide could be a useful tool for urgent psychological intervention in the event of major workplace disasters.

The Prediction of Industrial Accident Rate in Korea: A Time Series Analysis / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to predict industrial accident rate using time series analysis. METHODS: The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death were analyzed using industrial accident statistics analysis system of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency from 2001 to 2014. Time series analysis was done using the most recent data, such as raw materials of Economically Active Population Survey, Economic Statistics System of the Bank of Korea, and e-National indicators. The best-fit model with time series analysis to predict occupational injury was developed by identifying predictors when the value of Akaike Information Criteria was the lowest point. Variables into the model were selected through a series of expertises' consultations and literature review, which consisted of socioeconomic structure, labor force structure, working conditions, and occupational accidents. RESULTS: Indexes at the meso- and macro-levels predicting well occurrence of occupational accidents and occupational injury death were labor force participation rate for ages 45-49 and budget for small scaled work-place support. The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death are expected to decline. CONCLUSION: For reducing industrial accident continuously, we call for safe employment policy of economically active middle aged adults and support for improving safety work environment of small sized workplace.

A Policy Intervention Study to Identify High-Risk Groups to Prevent Industrial Accidents in Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to identify high-risk groups for industrial accidents by setting up 2003 as the base year and conducting an in-depth analysis of the trends of major industrial accident indexes the index of industrial accident rate, the index of occupational injury rate, the index of occupational illness and disease rate per 10,000 people, and the index of occupational injury fatality rate per 10,000 people for the past 10 years. METHODS: This study selected industrial accident victims, who died or received more than 4 days of medical care benefits, due to occupational accidents and diseases occurring at workplaces, subject to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, as the study population. RESULTS: According to the trends of four major indexes by workplace characteristics, the whole industry has shown a decreasing tendency in all four major indexes since the base year (2003); as of 2012, the index of industrial accident rate was 67, while the index of occupational injury fatality rate per 10,000 people was 59. CONCLUSION: The manufacturing industry, age over 50 years and workplaces with more than 50 employees showed a high severity level of occupational accidents. Male workers showed a higher severity level of occupational accidents than female workers. The employment period of < 3 years and newly hired workers with a relatively shorter working period are likely to have more occupational accidents than others. Overall, an industrial accident prevention policy must be established by concentrating all available resources and capacities of these high-risk groups.

Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers' compensation insurance (PSWCI)

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate associated factors including the physician and the employer of successful return to work (RTW) in occupationally injured workers. METHODS: This study is based on the first panel study of workers' compensation insurance (PSWCI), published in June 2014. The PSWCI is a sample survey of occupationally injured workers who completed medical care in 2012 (89,921 people). A total of 2000 subjects were sampled based on sex, age, nine metropolitan-based regions, disability ratings, duration of rehabilitation, and whether vocational rehabilitation service was used. We divided the study population into two groups: return to work (RTW) group (job retention, reemployment, unpaid family worker, and self-employment), and non-RTW group (joblessness and economical inactivity). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) related to differences in basic characteristics, part of physician and employer-related factors between those who succeeded to RTW and those who did not were measured using multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: The success of RTW is 70.6 % (n = 1412) among participants. The ORs (95 % CI) of the participants belonging to RTW who received periodic recovery assessment from the medical care institution and the physician are 1.51 (1.07-2.13). The ORs (95 % CI) are 1.68 (1.05-2.69) for the RTW group who received work ability assessment and referral for vocational return. When the employer maintains the relationship with the occupationally injured worker, the worker has 1.39 times higher odds (95 % CI: 1.41-2.26) of the RTW group compared to the non-RTW group. CONCLUSIONS: The physician and the employer have a significant impact on the RTW.

Factors That Influence Employment After Spinal Cord Injury in South Korea

OBJECTIVE: To investigate employment status after spinal cord injury (SCI) and identify personal, family, and injury characteristics those affect their employment in South Korea. METHODS: Participants were 334 community-dwelling persons 20-64 years of age who had sustained SCI for more than one year. Investigators visited each participant's home to carry out the survey. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify personal, family, and injury characteristics that influenced employment after SCI. RESULTS: Employment rate decreased significantly from 82.5% to 27.5% after SCI. Logistic regression showed that the probability of employment was higher in men than women, and in individuals older than 45 years at the time of injury than those aged 31-45 years of age. Moreover, employment was higher in individuals injured for longer than 20 years than those injured for 1-5 years and in individuals with incomplete tetraplegia than those with complete paraplegia. Employment was lower in individuals with SCI caused by industrial accidents than those injured in non-industrial accidents. CONCLUSION: Injury characteristics are the most important predictors of employment in persons with SCI. For persons with lower employment rate, individualized vocational rehabilitation and employment-support systems are required.

Compensation for Occupational Diseases by Chemical Agents in Korea

Investigation into the frequency of compensation for occupational diseases (ODs) caused by hazardous chemicals revealed an important opportunity for the improvement and further development of occupational health and safety systems in Korea. In response to concerns after outbreaks of disease due to chemical exposure, specific criteria for recognition of ODs were established and included in the Enforcement Decree of the Labor Standard Act (LSA) and the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act (IACIA) on June 28, 2013. However, the original versions of the LSA and IACIA contain several limitations. First, the criteria was listed inconsistently according to the symptoms or signs of acute poisoning. Second, all newly recognized hazardous chemicals and chemicals recognized as hazardous by the International Labor Organization (ILO) were not included in the LSA and IACIA. Although recent amendments have addressed these shortcomings, future amendments should strive to include all chemicals listed by the ILO and continuously add newly discovered hazardous chemicals as they are introduced into the workplace.

Trastorno orgánico de personalidad: un diagnóstico desestimado en pacientes traumatizados de cráneo / Organic personality disorder: a dismissed diagnosis in patients with traumatic brain injury

Introducción: El trastorno orgánico de personalidad (TOP) post traumatismo encefalocraneano (TEC) suele desestimarse por ausencia evidenciable de lesiones cerebrales y alteración en psicometría habitual (WAIS). Objetivo: Estudio exploratorio de 9 casos de TOP post TEC. Pacientes y métodos: Se analizan 9 casos de TOP post TEC no diagnosticados previamente. Resultados: Los pacientes no presentaron alteraciones de neuroimágenes (TAC), aunque sí algunas pruebas psicométricas alteradas, y un cambio consistente y dramático en sus cogniciones, conductas y afectos, pero no recibieron diagnóstico de TOP. Discusión: los equipos médicos parecen considerar más la indemnidad de las neuroimágenes que la clínica o las pruebas neuropsicológicas, y tienden a desestimar el diagnóstico de TOP. Conclusión: El diagnóstico de TOP debe considerarse en casos de TEC leve cuando lo sugiera la clínica.

Introduction: Organic Personality Disorder (OPD) post traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often dismissed due to lack of clear brain damage and alteration in usual psychometrics (WAIS). Objective: An exploratory study of 9 cases of post TBI OPD. Patients and methods: We analyzed 9 previously undiagnosed cases of post TBI OPD. Results: The patients had no neuroimaging abnormalities (TAC), but some altered psychometric tests, and consistent and dramatic changes in their cognitions, behaviors and emotions, but were not diagnosed with OPD. Discussion: medical teams seem to consider more the indemnity of neuroimaging than clinical evidence or neuropsychological testing, and tend to dismiss the diagnosis of TOP. Conclusion: The diagnosis of TOP should be considered in cases of mild TBI when they suggest the clinic.

The Investigation of Faculties and Facilities in Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Designated Hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the hospitals related rehabilitation, which were designated for industrial accident compensation insurance, focusing faculties and facilities by administrative district. METHOD: Total 1,031 hospitals having more than 30 beds were included. We investigated the numbers of hospital beds, medical departments, medical doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists of each hospital with official document of industrial accident compensation insurance. And we classified and analyzed all data by administrative district. RESULTS: The average of each objects were estimated as following orders: total number of hospital beds (131.5); medical departments (5.8); medical doctors (11.2); nurses (33.8); physical therapists (4.2); occupational therapists (0.9). The percentage of hospitals with department of rehabilitation medicine was 28.4% in total, 26.7% in hospital and 35.3% in general hospital. Mean numbers of hospital beds, medical departments, medical doctors, nurses and physical therapists did not showed disparity among the administrative districts. However, the percentages of hospitals with department of rehabilitation medicine and of hospitals with occupational therapists showed disparity among the administrative districts. The regional distribution of hospitals with department of rehabilitation medicine showed similar distribution, as that of occupational therapists. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate faculties and facilities of hospitals under the industrial accident compensation insurance which are related with rehabilitation treatment. We believe that these results would be helpful for constructing certification system of rehabilitation hospital and for further research about rehabilitation treatment associated with industrial accident compensation insurance.

A Case Study on Engineering Failure Analysis of Link Chain

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chain installation condition on stress distribution that could eventually cause disastrous failure from sudden deformation and geometric rupture. METHODS: Fractographic method used for the failed chain indicates that over-stress was considered as the root cause of failure. 3D modeling and finite element analysis for the chain, used in a crane hook, were performed with a three-dimensional interactive application program, CATIA, commercial finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamic software, ANSYS. RESULTS: The results showed that the state of stress was changed depending on the initial position of the chain that was installed in the hook. Especially, the magnitude of the stress was strongly affected by the bending forces, which are 2.5 times greater (under the simulation condition currently investigated) than that from the plain tensile load. Also, it was noted that the change of load state is strongly related to the failure of parts. The chain can hold an ultimate load of about 8 tons with only the tensile load acting on it. CONCLUSION: The conclusions of this research clearly showed that a reduction of the loss from similar incidents can be achieved when an operator properly handles the installation of the chain.

A Case Study on Engineering Failure Analysis of Link Chain

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chain installation condition on stress distribution that could eventually cause disastrous failure from sudden deformation and geometric rupture. METHODS: Fractographic method used for the failed chain indicates that over-stress was considered as the root cause of failure. 3D modeling and finite element analysis for the chain, used in a crane hook, were performed with a three-dimensional interactive application program, CATIA, commercial finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamic software, ANSYS. RESULTS: The results showed that the state of stress was changed depending on the initial position of the chain that was installed in the hook. Especially, the magnitude of the stress was strongly affected by the bending forces, which are 2.5 times greater (under the simulation condition currently investigated) than that from the plain tensile load. Also, it was noted that the change of load state is strongly related to the failure of parts. The chain can hold an ultimate load of about 8 tons with only the tensile load acting on it. CONCLUSION: The conclusions of this research clearly showed that a reduction of the loss from similar incidents can be achieved when an operator properly handles the installation of the chain.

The Status and Characteristics of Industrial Accidents for Migrant Workers in Korea Compared with Native Workers / 대한산업의학회지

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.

Work-Related Psychiatric Injuries of Korean Workers' Compensation / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine characteristics of work-related psychiatric injuries with Korean workers' compensation data. METHODS: We analyzed the distribution of sex, age, types of work-related psychiatric disorders, type of industry and occupation. Using the data of 3175 Korean workers' compensation cases who were compensated for work-related psychiatric injuries from 2001 to 2003. RESULTS: Work-related psychiatric injuries have increased annually. 897 cases, 1099 cases and 1179 cases were compensated during three years (2001-2003). Men accounted for many more cases than women. The most common age group was 41-49. The majority of work-related psychiatric injuries were 'organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders', 'neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders' and 'mood [affective] disorders'. For accidental psychiatric injury cases construction and manufacturing were the most common industries. Manufacturing, business activities, construction and transport were common in regard to work-related psychiatric disorders. In this study there was a high frequency of craft and related trades workers, elementary occupations and plant and machine operators and assemblers in accidental psychiatric injury cases. Work-related psychiatric disorders were frequent for elementary occupations, plant and machine operators and assemblers, craft and related trades workers, service workers, legislators, senior officials and managers. CONCLUSION: This investigation provided more information about the psychiatric injuries of Korean workers. These findings should help formulate intervention and prevention strategies of work-related psychiatric disorders.

Medical Criteria for Evaluation of Degree of Disability Including Industrial Injury: Otolaryngology

The criteria for evaluating permanent impairments resulting from principal dysfunction of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures are uncertain in our country. However, our government is now striving to build up a welfare state with upgrading the law of industrial accident insurance. The author assess permanent impairment ratings of these structures by evaluating losses in structures or the following functions: hearing; equilibrium; respiration; mastication; olfaction, and taste; speech and voice; and the effect of these losses on the ability to perform activities of daily living. Impairment criteria were adapted from the literature, law and ordinances in our country.

Guidelines for Work-related Diseases

The purpose of the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act is to compensate any occupational accident of workers in a rapid and fair manner. To reduce theburden of proof of causation, there is a way to establish presumptive standards such as 'Guidelines for Work-related Diseases'. A presumptive standard defines a level of evidence sufficient to demonstrate legally a causal relationship between occupation and disease. In Korea, 24 items including physical agents, chemical agents, biological agents and some diseases are enlisted as work-related diseases.

A Study on Karoshi to Make Application for Industrial Accident Compensation in Busan / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Karoshi is a word meaning death from work-overload. Work-related diseases due to continuous overwork are primarily cerebro- and cardio-vascular in nature. In Korea, despite an increase in the incidence of Karoshi, it is not easy to recognise by workmen's compensation in Korea. This study intended to establish basic information concerning the incidence of Karoshi. METHODS: 219 cases were collected based on workers' compensation records of three Busan Regional Centers of Labor Welfare Corporation from 1991 to 1999. The size of workplace, occupation, daily working time, type of working schedule, job tenures, characters of work-overload and duration of work-overload were investigated according of subgroups of general characteristics. Both univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship between risk factors and a recognition of Karoshi. RESULTS: 1. 61.6 % of total cases were recognized as Karoshi. 30.6 % occurred in a small workplace of less than 50 workers, 34.7 % were drivers or guards, and 48.8 % were more than 50 years old. Additionally, 29.6 % worked more than 12 hours, 37.5 % were irregular hours and shift workers and 21.5 % of the total had been on the job less than 6 months. 2. Of the causes of death, 49.8 % was cerebro-vascular diseases and it was more than cardio-vascular ones. And 80.4 % of total cases was belonged to the recognition-category of the Labour Ministry's Law. The previous disease history was found on 49.8 % of all cases. Of them, hypertension was most common as 21.9 %. 3. 53.9 % of patients were exposed to job hazards such as driving, monitoring, guarding, risky jobs and frequent long-term official trips. 64.7 % recorded a increased work-overload of job contents and working hours. Of the several types of work-overload, 42.5 % displayed long-term physical and psychotic work-overload and 22.2 % exhibited job characteristic work-overload. 4. In this study, work-overload was associated with the incidence of Karoshi in 76.3 % of cases. This rate was higher than the recognition of Workmen's compensation recorded by the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation. Of these, 43.6 % belonged to sufficient factors, 10.4 % partial factors, and 22.3 % were due to aggravating factors. 5. Logistic regression demonstrated that death due to cerebro- and cardio-vascular disease, shorttenure within 6 month was significantly associated with a recognition of Karoshi (p=0.034, OR=3.00, C I = 1 . 0 9~8.30/p=0.016, OR=6.76, CI=1.43~32.07 respectively) and that an increase of work-overload was also associated, but its statistical significance was slightly lower(p=0.081, OR=2.02, CI=0.91.~4.46 ) . However, no association was found between this recognition and overtime work, hazardous job, irregular work schedule, low-income, injury-onset place, or small size of workplace. The elderly group(>50years old) and those with a previous disease history were negatively associated with recognition although the statistical association was low. CONCLUSIONS: Karoshi in Busan occurred frequently in a small workplace of less than 50 workers, especially drivers or guards. Additionally, these cases worked more than 12 hours, were irregular hours and shift workers. The death due to cerebro- and cardio-vascular disease, short-tenure within 6 month was significantly associated with a recognition of Karoshi. However Karoshi in this study occurred frequently in overtime work and high risk groups of work-overload. Therefore, for prevention of Karoshi, work-overload and overtime work need improved and controled.

A Study of Working Status and Industrial Accidents for Migrant Workers in Korea / 대한산업의학회지

This study was conducted to evaluate and to recognize the status and the problems of working conditions, and industrial accidents for migrant workers in a group of 342 who lives in Ansan area, Kyunggi province. By the questionnaire written by 5 languages (English, Bangladesh, Indonesian, Chinese and Korean), the informations of socio-demographic factors, occupational conditions of engaged company and general & occupational health status were obtained from June, 1st to July 30th, 1998. We used the ANOVA to examine differences of working hours, days and average monthly wages between overseas industrial trainee and illegal migrant workers, and by using logistic regression, odds ratio of general risk factors for industrial accidents in migrant workers were calculated. The results obtained were as follows 1. The major distribution of nationals were from Philippine, Indonesia, Bangladesh and China(92.1%), and the most of subjects were man(78.9%) and over high school graduate(81.9%). 2. Most migrant workers worked at small scale companies under 50 employees, and engaged in dye, textile clothing, leather industry. The average working hours were 59.9 hours per week in overseas industrial trainee, 64.9 hours in illegal migrant worker respectively. 3. Trainees have transferred to another company for 1.89 times, and workers who have changed qualification from trainee to illegal status were 3.09 tims, and illegal workers moved 2.36 times. The major portion of reason to move to another company were low salary and overdue salary. 4. Trainees, workers who have changed position from trainee to illegal status, and illegal workers knows 62.27%, 42.31%, and 20.45% in each about legal documentation for foreign industrial trainees in Korea "Regulations for protecting and managing of foreign industrial trainees in Korea" published on March 1995. Additionally, trainees and illegal workers have experienced medical examination by 52.3% and 18.2% respectively. 5. Industrial accident condition from Jun. 1st, 1997 to Dec. 3lth, 1997 were as follows in case of frequent rate, trainees and illegal workers were 30.04, 23.78 each, and 8.6%, 7.4% for industrial accident rate respectively. 6. The most common causes and types of industrial accident were inappropriate motions of body and abrasion, and body sites most vulnerable to injury were the hands and fingers. The results suggest that working status and industrial accidents of migrant workers are very poor in Korea. Therefore, occupational safety and health policy aimed at migrant workers are needed to protect the migrant workers.

A Status of the Report for Industrial Injuries and Illnesses at an Automobile Related Plant / 대한산업의학회지

The incidence rate of industrial accidents tends to decrease since 1984. It seems to be caused by the active prevention activities for industrial accidents, however, there has been some concern for under-reporting of industrial injuries and illnesses. This study was carried out to assess the status of injury occurrences and industrial accident reports. The author reviewed and analysed the record from an infirmary of an automobile related factory from May 1994 to April 1998. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The number of injuries were 665 spells during four years and incidence rates per year per 100 persons were 39.57(1995), 39.04(1996) and 36.86(1997). The incidence rate of industrial injuries that needed over four days of medical treatment were 4.32 %, 6.51 % and 4.90 %, respectively by the year. 2. The highest incidence rate by age was the 20-29 age group (46.30 %) and by working duration was the under five years group (46.18 %). 3. A total of 665 injuries were occurred by 244 workers. Workers who experienced over five accidents were 41 persons (16.8 %) with 285 injuries and the proportion of total spells was 42.9 %. 4. Workers who experienced over 5 accidents were the younger group, had under five years working duration and worked at the position of frequently using hand tools. 5. Among the 665 spells, the injuries that needed over four days of medical treatment were 93 spells (14.0 %) and the reported proportion as an industrial accident was 8.6 % (eight spells). The results suggest that improvement of the report system is required to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the industrial accident statistics, and analysing all accidents would be necessary to setup the strategy for prevention even if they are minor injuries.