Estimated Occupational Injury Rate and work Related Factors Based on Data From the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study used representative national survey data of Korean workers to estimate the occupational injury rate and to identify factors associated with occupational injuries. METHODS: We analyzed data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2007 to 2009 using the Complex Samples Frequencies procedure of the SPSS to estimate the occupational injury rate. Complex Samples Logistic Regression was performed to calculate a nationally representative odds ratios that reflects the likelihood of specific individual attributes and job characteristics being associated with occupational injuries. We did this while controlling for relevant covariates. RESULTS: It was estimated that 3.5% of Korean workers have suffered at least one occupational injury and 1.9% of full-time employed workers have suffered occupational injuries which required more than 4 days of absence during the year. After adjustment for confounding variables, the experience of occupational injuries was related to several job characteristics, including exposure to hazards such as: air pollutants (OR=1.40; 95%CI: 1.05~1.85), noise (OR=1.31; 95%CI: 1.01~1.70), biological hazards (OR=1.60; 95%CI: 1.13~2.28), a difficult physical environment (OR=1.79; 95%CI: 1.33~2.41), and difficult ergonomic work (e.g. work involving awkward posture or heavy lifting) (OR=1.49; 95%CI: 1.11~2.00). CONCLUSIONS: Using national survey data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate the occupational injury rate and to identify predictors of work-related injuries has several advantages. Futhermore, these results suggest that a hazardous work environment is associated with occupational injury.

Current Status of Sickness Absences and Early Leaves from Work among Workers with Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Each Body Part, and Relevant Factors / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify current status of sickness absence and early leaves from work as a result of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. METHOD: From January to December in 2007, 4,975 workers were recruited into this study and surveyed over this time period; workers came from 116 small and medium sized companies in Incheon. Among the study populations, only those who met the NIOSH criteria for work-related musculoskeletal symptoms on each symptom locations were included in the final analysis. The survey used a structured self-administered questionnaire, which asked questions about musculoskeletal symptoms regarding locations, sickness absences and early leaves from work. Other information gathered from participants included sociodemographical characteristics, and work-related characteristics. RESULTS: The rates of sickness absences and early leaves in each symptom locations were highest (14.9%) among workers with waist symptoms. Men had higher rates of sickness absences and early leaves form work than women; manufacturing workers had higher rates of sickness absences and early leaves form work than office workers. After confounding variables that had significant difference in univariate analysis on each symptom locations were adjusted, the odds ratios for sickness absence and early leaves divided by pain intensity were 4.361(neck), 4.140(shoulder), 3.151(arm/wrist), 3.085(leg/foot), and 2.731(waist), respectively; these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of sickness absence and early leaves in each work-related musculoskeletal symptom locations were highest among workers with waist symptoms, and the intensity of pain was identified to have a considerable effect on the rates of sickness absences and early leaves. Based on these results, we think that there are needs to be early interventions on workers with waist symptoms.