Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing (한국직업건강간호학회지)

Korean Academic Society of Occupational Health Nursing (한국직업건강간호학회)
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First and Second Korean Working Conditions Survey: A Comparison between South Korea and EU Countries

제1, 2차 한국근로환경조사: 한국과 EU회원국의 비교

  • Kim, Young Sun (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), Affiliated with the Korean Occupation Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA)) ;
  • Cho, Hm Hak (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), Affiliated with the Korean Occupation Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA))
  • 김영선 (산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 조흠학 (산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원)
  • Received : 2014.10.30
  • Accepted : 2014.11.28
  • Published : 2014.11.30
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Abstract

Purpose: In this study, I am going to figure out Korean workers' actual exposure to risk factors and percentage of the workers who complain of health problems by performing a comparative analysis of the characteristics of the workers and working conditions in Korea and EU. Methods: The data used in this study includes the $1^{st}$ working conditions survey conducted in 2006 in Korea, the $2^{nd}$ working conditions survey in 2010, the $4^{th}$ EU working conditions survey, and the $5^{th}$ EU working conditions survey. I have compared the changes to Korean working conditions and those to EU working conditions in the categories of demographic characteristics, quality of labor, exposure to risk factors, and health problems included in the data. Results: The analysis of the characteristics of the demographic characters of Korean workers shows that aged and female workers register increased labor force participation. The analysis of labor quality shows that Korea has a long working time but with a lower work intensity compared to the countries included in EU working conditions survey. As for risk factors, Korea registers a low level of exposure as compared to countries included in EU working conditions survey and characteristically shows a decreasing exposure to tobacco smoke. The survey shows sharply increasing complaints of muscle pain in the upper and lower limbs. Conclusion: In this study, I have identified vulnerable social groups by using quantified values in a comparison of the working conditions of Korea and those of EU.

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References

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