Saf Health Work.  2018 Mar;9(1):75-78. 10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.005.

Work Sectors with High Risk for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Korean Men and Women

• Park J
• Kim Y
• Han B

• KMID: 2424509
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.005

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.

Keyword

ergonomic; risk factor; Korean workers; musculoskeletal disorder

MeSH Terms

Employment
Female
Humans
Male
Posture
Risk Factors
Social Work
Workers' Compensation