Work Sectors with High Risk for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korean Men and Women.
10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.005
- Author:
Jungsun PARK
1
;
Yangho KIM
;
Boyoung HAN
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
ergonomic;
risk factor;
Korean workers;
musculoskeletal disorder
- MeSH:
Employment;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Posture;
Risk Factors;
Social Work;
Workers' Compensation
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2018;9(1):75-78
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: To identify work sectors with high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Korean men and women. METHODS: We analyzed nationwide data to identify ergonomic risk factors in Korean employees. In particular, we analyzed data on exposure to five ergonomic risk factors (painful/tiring postures, lifting/moving heavy materials, standing/walking, repetitive hand/arm movements, and hand/arm vibration) according to employment sector, sex, and age, using the 2014 Fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey. We also used workers' compensation data on work-related MSDs in 2010, which is available by sex. RESULTS: The different work sectors had different gender distributions. “Manufacturing” (27.7%) and “construction” (11.3%) were dominated by males, whereas “human health and social work activities” (12.4%), “hotel and restaurants” (11.7%), and “education” (10.4%) were dominated by females. However, “wholesale and retail trade” and “public administration and defense” employed large numbers of males and females. Furthermore, the work sectors with a greater proportion of work-related MSDs and with multiple ergonomic risk factors were different for men and women. For men, “construction” and “manufacturing” had the highest risk for work-related MSDs; for women, “hotel and restaurants” had the highest risk for work-related MSDs. CONCLUSION: Ergonomic interventions for workers should consider gender and should focus on work sectors with high risk for MSDs, with multiple ergonomic risk factors, and with the largest number of workers.
