Use of Frequency Analysis of Exposure of Hazards by Occupations: Findings from the Third and Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exposure status of hazards by occupations to utilize as the basis for the job hazard standard model. METHODS: We used the data of the third and fourth Korean working condition survey. The number of subjects was 99,862. We used the sixth Korean standard classification of occupations. The hazards included four physical, three chemical, one biological, five ergonomic, and two psychological factors. Exposure levels were categorized into two levels of the 7-point Likert scale, and more than one fourth of the working hours were classified as exposure. Exposure score was given according to the exposure level form 1 to 7. Exposure frequency and exposure score of the hazards in the nine major categories and top 30 occupations among 413 subdivisions were investigated. RESULTS: Occupation codes in which the exposure frequency of each hazard is more than 50% (major classification codes) are vibration 7, 8; high temperature 6; painful postures 4, 6, 7, 8, 9; heavy work 6, 7, 8, 9; prolonged standing posture 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; repetition of upper limbs 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; and customer-facing business 1, 2, 4, 5. CONCLUSION: The exposure level of hazards by occupations perceived by the workers could be used as a reference for making a hazard exposure list to develop a model of job hazards standard, or the workplace health managers or government policy makers will be able to identify the hazards by occupations and utilize them as a basis for the priorities and realities of prevention of workers' health and safety.