Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Research Article

An overview of compensated work-related injuries among Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015: Hyung Doo Kim, Yon Soo An, Dong Hyun Kim, Kyung Sook Jeong, Yeon Soon Ahn; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:57. Published online September 3, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0268-2

Background

Although one in two firefighters in South Korea have experienced work-related injuries, there are few studies which show the overview description on work-related injuries and its analysis regarding such causes. Therefore, we aimed to show the overview of compensated work-related injuries in order to serve fundamental data for establishing prevention policies on work-related injuries for Korean firefighters.

Methods

We requested the all claimed work-related injury data of Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015 to the Korean National Fire Agency (NFA). The data from NFA including 2457 claimed cases was analyzed and we confirmed, 2154 approved work-related injuries for the kinds of job activities, cause of accident and type of injuries. Among 2154 approved cases, we analyzed more variables for the sex, age, and job duration of 1344 compensated cases through served text file on summary of accident.

Results

The Government Employees Pension Service (GEPS) recognized 2154 (87.7%) approved work-related injuries among 2457 claimed cases. The incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters was 9.8 persons. By region, the incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters ranged from a maximum of 14.5 to a minimum of 4.0. The most common job activity caused the accident was fire suppression (18.0%), followed by Emergency medical services (EMS) (17.5%) and training (10.7%). The most common cause of these accident was movement imbalance (30.3%), followed by falls (18.9%) and traffic accident (13.4%). In these work-related injuries, sprains and bruises were the most common type of injury (27.2%), and the most commonly injured body site was the upper and lower back (25.3%). Data from identified 1344 firefighters showed that 1264 (94.0%) were male and 80 (6.0%) were female. Age group was the highest in the 40s with 623 cases (46.4%), and job duration was the highest with 650 cases in 5–10 years (48.4%).

Conclusion

In this study, we could obtain the preliminary data necessary to establish preventive measures, including the cause of accident and region with high accident rates. However, the number of applications for compensated injuries was very small compared to the frequency of injuries found in previous studies. The lack of appropriate treatment suggested that many firefighter injuries can become chronic. In this study, we suggest that it is necessary to introduce an injury monitoring system and improve the accessibility of compensated injuries.

Trial registration

CR318031. Registered 20 June 2018.

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Research Article

Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI): Wanhyung Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Yeong-Kwang Kim, Hongdeok Seok, June-Hee Lee, Jong-Uk Won; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:27. Published online December 11, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0076-x

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Objectives

This study aims to investigate associated factors including the physician and the employer of successful return to work (RTW) in occupationally injured workers.

Methods

This study is based on the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI), published in June 2014. The PSWCI is a sample survey of occupationally injured workers who completed medical care in 2012 (89,921 people). A total of 2000 subjects were sampled based on sex, age, nine metropolitan-based regions, disability ratings, duration of rehabilitation, and whether vocational rehabilitation service was used. We divided the study population into two groups: return to work (RTW) group (job retention, reemployment, unpaid family worker, and self-employment), and non-RTW group (joblessness and economical inactivity). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) related to differences in basic characteristics, part of physician and employer-related factors between those who succeeded to RTW and those who did not were measured using multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

The success of RTW is 70.6 % (n = 1412) among participants. The ORs (95 % CI) of the participants belonging to RTW who received periodic recovery assessment from the medical care institution and the physician are 1.51 (1.07–2.13). The ORs (95 % CI) are 1.68 (1.05–2.69) for the RTW group who received work ability assessment and referral for vocational return. When the employer maintains the relationship with the occupationally injured worker, the worker has 1.39 times higher odds (95 % CI: 1.41–2.26) of the RTW group compared to the non-RTW group.

Conclusions

The physician and the employer have a significant impact on the RTW.

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Original Article

The Status and Characteristics of Industrial Accidents for Migrant Workers in Korea Compared with Native Workers: Sun Wung Lee, Kyoo Sang Kim, Tae Woo Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(4):351-361. Published online December 31, 2008; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.4.351

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
To analyze the status and characteristics of the industrial accidents of migrant workers with comparison to those of native workers.
METHODS
The industrial accident rate of migrant workers was estimated by the annual number of industrial accidents divided by the total number of annual labor population multiplied by the annual admission rate of industrial accident insurance. The characteristics of industrial accidents for total migrant workers were assessed and compared with those of total native workers (from 2004 to 2006). In addition, we compared the industrial accidental characteristics of the 7,210 native workers and the 458 migrant workers employed in the Incheon area who received compensation from the industrial accident insurance in 2006.
RESULTS
In 2004, 2005 and 2006, the total annual industrial accident rates of the migrant workers were 0.93%, 0.90%, and 1.06%, the injury accident rates were 0.90%, 0.86%, and 1.00%, the number of injury deaths per 10,000 persons were 2.29, 2.22, and 2.39, and the disease rates were 0.011%, 0.014%, and 0.027%, respectively. As for the cause of injury, rolled/jammed and cutting-type injuries were more prevalent in the migrant workers. With the standardization of job category, industry size and work tenure, the rolled/jammed-type injury was still significantly more prevalent in the migrant workers.
CONCLUSIONS
Even considering the exclusion of the possible missing numbers of the submission of industrial accident cases, and the numbers of workplaces not registered for industrial accident insurance, the publicized statistics confirm the higher industrial accident rate of migrant workers compared to ative workers. Especially, the injury death rate was 2.2 times higher for migrant workers than for native workers in 2006. In addition, the remarkably lower occupational disease rate of the migrant workers compared to that of the native workers, suggested that numerous cases of disease were not reported. Finally, the lack of communication and former education that usually lead to the most prevalent injury type, i.e., the rolled/jammed type, supported our conclusion that the migrant workers were in need of more education regarding workplace safety.

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Original Article

Five-year Industrial Accidents of Ship-building Workers at a Ship-Yard: Chang Yoon Kim, Man Joong Jeon, Dae Hee Byun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(4):436-445. Published online December 31, 2003; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.4.436

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the status of industrial accidents at a ship-yard in Korea in order to provide the basic materials for preventing further industrial accidents.
METHODS
This study reviewed and analyzed the records of 252 industrial accidents that occurred in a ship-yard at Ulsan city from January 1 1997 until December 31st, 2001 according to age, the work career, the job department, the day of the week, the occurrence time, the part of body injured, and the accident type.
RESULTS
There were a total of 252 industrial accidents over the five years. The incidence of industrial accidents per year were 17.38, 26.99, 16.44, 11.35, 14.50 per 1,000 persons from 1997 to 2001, respectively. The frequency of industrial accidents per year were 11.56, 11.23, 6.27, 4.42, 5.79 per one million man hours from 1997 to 2001, respectively. The intensity of industrial accidents per year was 1.67, 0.18, 4.32 per 1,000 man hours from 1999 to 2001, respectively. The highest incidence occurred in the over 50 age group (33.87 per 1,000 persons). Regarding the incidence according to the work career, it was highest in those who had worked for less than 1 year (39.76 per 1,000 persons). The incidence in those working in high places and those using heavy materials were higher than the others. The most frequent day of the week was Monday (19.8%), which was followed by Friday (16.7%) and Saturday (15.9%). The most frequent time of an accident was 15:00-16:59(25.8%), which was followed by 08:00-09:59(24.2%), 10:00-11:59(20.2%). The most frequent part of the body injured was the low back (28.6%), which was followed by the lower extremities (24.2%), and the upper extremities (23.0%). The types of industrial accidents were stenosis (27.0%) to have been happened most and upset (19.8%), fall down (14.7%), hard movement (12.3%), and falling (9.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
The above results suggests that a more precise system of reporting industrial accidents will be needed in order to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the industrial accident statistics. In addition, the preventive activities for back injury, stenosis, and fall down are needed in order to prevent industrial accidents at ship-yards in Korea. Furthermore, the strengthening of a continuous health education program will be necessary for beginners, older workers, and those working in high places and using heavy materials.

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Original Article

A Study on Karoshi to Make Application for Industrial Accident Compensation in Busan: Yeon Nam, Cha Jae O, Jung Rae Park, Dong Jun Lee, Byung Mann Cho, Su Ill Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002;14(1):34-46. Published online March 31, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2002.14.1.34

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
Karoshi is a word meaning death from work-overload. Work-related diseases due to continuous overwork are primarily cerebro- and cardio-vascular in nature. In Korea, despite an increase in the incidence of Karoshi, it is not easy to recognise by workmen's compensation in Korea. This study intended to establish basic information concerning the incidence of Karoshi.
METHODS
219 cases were collected based on workers' compensation records of three Busan Regional Centers of Labor Welfare Corporation from 1991 to 1999. The size of workplace, occupation, daily working time, type of working schedule, job tenures, characters of work-overload and duration of work-overload were investigated according of subgroups of general characteristics. Both univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship between risk factors and a recognition of Karoshi.
RESULTS
1. 61.6 % of total cases were recognized as Karoshi. 30.6 % occurred in a small workplace of less than 50 workers, 34.7 % were drivers or guards, and 48.8 % were more than 50 years old. Additionally, 29.6 % worked more than 12 hours, 37.5 % were irregular hours and shift workers and 21.5 % of the total had been on the job less than 6 months. 2. Of the causes of death, 49.8 % was cerebro-vascular diseases and it was more than cardio-vascular ones. And 80.4 % of total cases was belonged to the recognition-category of the Labour Ministry's Law. The previous disease history was found on 49.8 % of all cases. Of them, hypertension was most common as 21.9 %. 3. 53.9 % of patients were exposed to job hazards such as driving, monitoring, guarding, risky jobs and frequent long-term official trips. 64.7 % recorded a increased work-overload of job contents and working hours. Of the several types of work-overload, 42.5 % displayed long-term physical and psychotic work-overload and 22.2 % exhibited job characteristic work-overload. 4. In this study, work-overload was associated with the incidence of Karoshi in 76.3 % of cases. This rate was higher than the recognition of Workmen's compensation recorded by the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation. Of these, 43.6 % belonged to sufficient factors, 10.4 % partial factors, and 22.3 % were due to aggravating factors. 5. Logistic regression demonstrated that death due to cerebro- and cardio-vascular disease, shorttenure within 6 month was significantly associated with a recognition of Karoshi (p=0.034, OR=3.00, C I = 1 . 0 9~8.30/p=0.016, OR=6.76, CI=1.43~32.07 respectively) and that an increase of work-overload was also associated, but its statistical significance was slightly lower(p=0.081, OR=2.02, CI=0.91.~4.46 ) . However, no association was found between this recognition and overtime work, hazardous job, irregular work schedule, low-income, injury-onset place, or small size of workplace. The elderly group(>50years old) and those with a previous disease history were negatively associated with recognition although the statistical association was low.
CONCLUSIONS
Karoshi in Busan occurred frequently in a small workplace of less than 50 workers, especially drivers or guards. Additionally, these cases worked more than 12 hours, were irregular hours and shift workers. The death due to cerebro- and cardio-vascular disease, short-tenure within 6 month was significantly associated with a recognition of Karoshi. However Karoshi in this study occurred frequently in overtime work and high risk groups of work-overload. Therefore, for prevention of Karoshi, work-overload and overtime work need improved and controled.

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Original Article

An Analysis of Industrial Accidents in an Automobile Factory: Kyung Jong Lee, Jae Beom Park, Ho Keun Chung, Jong Goo Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(1):119-127. Published online March 31, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.1.119

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To know the present conditions of industrial accidents in automobile factories in Korea and make the basic materials essential to prevention of industrial accidents METHODS: We reviewed and analyzed the records of industrial accidents occurred in an automobile factory in 1997 by time of occurrence, job categories(fixed production, skilled trades, mechanical material handling, and clerical 8r technical), type of injury, kind of accident, and location of injury.
RESULTS
1. By age groups, the accident rate was the highest in age 45-49(1.6 %o) followed by age 35-39(1.3 %), 40-44(0.9 %), 30-34(0.9 %), 25-29(0.6 %), and 20-24(0.4 %) and by working duration, it was highest in group of experience over 25 years, and so we could see that the more age or working duration increases the more accident rate increases. 2. By work time, the accident rate was the highest in 10-11 a.m. (21.4 %) followed by 2-3 p.m. (17.9%). By the day of the week, it was as follows, Friday(20.5%) Wednesday (17. 9%), Monday (16. 2 %), Thesday (15. 4 %), Saturday (12. 0 %), Thursday(11.1 %), Sunday(6.8 %) in order. By the month, it was high in May(17.9 %), March(11.1 %), and April(11.1 %) followed by August(10.3 %) and January(9.4 %), so we could see it was high in spring. 3. The most frequent injury was in the back by 41.0 % followed by 17 cases in fingers(14.5 %), legs(9.4 %), hands(7.7 %), head(6.0 %) in order. And by the type of injuries, the sprain was most frequent by 38. 5% followed by fracture(22. 2 %, lumbar HNP(11.1 %), and contusion(9.4 %) in order. The causes of accident were handling heavy materials(34.2 %), upset(17.1 %), stenosis(16.2 %), and falling(6.8 %) in order.
CONCLUSIONS
By the above results, to prevent the industrial accidents in automobile factories in Korea, preventive activities for handling heavy materials and back injury, and continuous industrial education are necessary.

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Original Article

A Study of Working Status and Industrial Accidents for Migrant Workers in Korea: Jeong Ah Kim, Jae Wook Choi, Hae Joon Kim, Jong Tae Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1999;11(1):66-79. Published online March 31, 1999; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1999.11.1.66

Abstract PDF

This study was conducted to evaluate and to recognize the status and the problems of working conditions, and industrial accidents for migrant workers in a group of 342 who lives in Ansan area, Kyunggi province. By the questionnaire written by 5 languages (English, Bangladesh, Indonesian, Chinese and Korean), the informations of socio-demographic factors, occupational conditions of engaged company and general & occupational health status were obtained from June, 1st to July 30th, 1998. We used the ANOVA to examine differences of working hours, days and average monthly wages between overseas industrial trainee and illegal migrant workers, and by using logistic regression, odds ratio of general risk factors for industrial accidents in migrant workers were calculated. The results obtained were as follows 1. The major distribution of nationals were from Philippine, Indonesia, Bangladesh and China(92.1%), and the most of subjects were man(78.9%) and over high school graduate(81.9%). 2. Most migrant workers worked at small scale companies under 50 employees, and engaged in dye, textile clothing, leather industry. The average working hours were 59.9 hours per week in overseas industrial trainee, 64.9 hours in illegal migrant worker respectively. 3. Trainees have transferred to another company for 1.89 times, and workers who have changed qualification from trainee to illegal status were 3.09 tims, and illegal workers moved 2.36 times. The major portion of reason to move to another company were low salary and overdue salary. 4. Trainees, workers who have changed position from trainee to illegal status, and illegal workers knows 62.27%, 42.31%, and 20.45% in each about legal documentation for foreign industrial trainees in Korea "Regulations for protecting and managing of foreign industrial trainees in Korea" published on March 1995. Additionally, trainees and illegal workers have experienced medical examination by 52.3% and 18.2% respectively. 5. Industrial accident condition from Jun. 1st, 1997 to Dec. 3lth, 1997 were as follows in case of frequent rate, trainees and illegal workers were 30.04, 23.78 each, and 8.6%, 7.4% for industrial accident rate respectively. 6. The most common causes and types of industrial accident were inappropriate motions of body and abrasion, and body sites most vulnerable to injury were the hands and fingers. The results suggest that working status and industrial accidents of migrant workers are very poor in Korea. Therefore, occupational safety and health policy aimed at migrant workers are needed to protect the migrant workers.

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Original Article

A Status of the Report for Industrial Injuries and Illnesses at an Automobile Related Plant: Soo Keun Kim; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1998;10(4):562-570. Published online December 31, 1998; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1998.10.4.562

Abstract PDF

The incidence rate of industrial accidents tends to decrease since 1984. It seems to be caused by the active prevention activities for industrial accidents, however, there has been some concern for under-reporting of industrial injuries and illnesses. This study was carried out to assess the status of injury occurrences and industrial accident reports. The author reviewed and analysed the record from an infirmary of an automobile related factory from May 1994 to April 1998. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The number of injuries were 665 spells during four years and incidence rates per year per 100 persons were 39.57(1995), 39.04(1996) and 36.86(1997). The incidence rate of industrial injuries that needed over four days of medical treatment were 4.32 %, 6.51 % and 4.90 %, respectively by the year. 2. The highest incidence rate by age was the 20-29 age group (46.30 %) and by working duration was the under five years group (46.18 %). 3. A total of 665 injuries were occurred by 244 workers. Workers who experienced over five accidents were 41 persons (16.8 %) with 285 injuries and the proportion of total spells was 42.9 %. 4. Workers who experienced over 5 accidents were the younger group, had under five years working duration and worked at the position of frequently using hand tools. 5. Among the 665 spells, the injuries that needed over four days of medical treatment were 93 spells (14.0 %) and the reported proportion as an industrial accident was 8.6 % (eight spells). The results suggest that improvement of the report system is required to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the industrial accident statistics, and analysing all accidents would be necessary to setup the strategy for prevention even if they are minor injuries.

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Original Article

Relating Factors of Industrial Accident: Dae Suk Ko, Soon Suk Choi, Soo Jin Jung, Jun Han Park, Hun Lee, Byung Chul Son, Sang Hwa Urm, Chae Un Lee, Ki Taek Bae, Jin Ho Chun; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1997;9(1):99-108. Published online February 28, 1997; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1997.9.1.99

Abstract PDF

This study was conducted to estimate the causing factors of industrial accident, and to prepare the fittable control program for accident through the evaluation of views of the patients who suffered from accidents. From January 5 to February 6 1993, questionnaire survey was executed on 166 persons who were injured and covered by the insurance under industrial accident compensation law at four university hospitals in Pusan. The results were as follows : 1. Most of subjects worked in the manufacturing (56.6%) and construction(29.5%), and in the small factory less than 49 workers(56.0%). They were thirties and forties(63.8%), less than 3 years tenure(53.6%), habitual drinker(69.2%). And, 72.3% worked for above 9 hours per day, 53.6% worked as near clerks, 89.2% thought that work is rather suitable to his own personality. 2. Self-recognition for the causing factor of industrial accident was the other's malfunction(19.3%), carelessness(15.1%), lack of education for safety(15.1%), and they thought the accident occurred by mainly some defect of establishment and working environment(34.9%), unskillfulness(22.9%), self-carelessness(22.3%). 3. The interests and recognition on safety was insufficient, 88.6% require job education, but 53% pointed out the necessity for strengthening of present status-rather incomplete with relying on self-education (40.9%), no previous participation in safety education (29.5%), etc. 4. For the kind of accident, fall-down(16.3%), crash(13.3%), falling(12.7%) was frequent, head(24.7%) and fracture(41.0%) was frequent for the part and type of injury, respectively. And, they had more injured by cooperative work (82.5%) than single work. As results, improvement of working environment and strengthening education program would be emphasized for the effective control of industrial accident. And, there should be prepared the specific prevention program for the small scale industries.

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Original Article

Analysis of Medical Charges in Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance System: Young Hahn Moon, Bong Suk Cha, Jaehoon Roh, Myung Keun Lee, Kyung Jong Lee, Se Jin Chang; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 1990;2(2):153-165. Published online August 31, 1990; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.1990.2.2.153

Abstract PDF: A recent increase in hospital cost in Industrial Accident Compensation System has caused an issue. Especially the many problems in assessing and paying hospital cost have made necessary improvement measures on this. For this purpose the study analyzed 179,442 medical bills for industrial accident patients during 1986~1988. And various annual statistic data, references and documentations are also reviewed. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The average days for medical treatment per injury decreased depending upon hospital grade in the order of clinic, hospital, and general hospital, and the average hospital charges per injury decreased in the order of general hospital, hospital and clinic. 2. The inpatients' leading injury was traumatic amputation of fingers, and the open wound of fingers came to leading injury among the outpatients. The proportions of 10 leading injuries among inpatients and outpatients were 42.7% and 49.2% respectively. 3. As a consequence of the analysis of average medical charges, fractures of neck of femur in inpatients, and intervertebral disc disorders in outpatients were obtained as the most prevalent injuries. The coal workers' pneumoconiosis and injury to nerve roots and spinal plexus were most prominent injuries with repect to the days for medical treatment. 4. According to annual days for medical treatment, fracture of tibia and fibula was the most prevalent in inpatients, and sprains and strains of back was the most prevalent in outpatient. Traumatic amputation of fingers and other 10 leading injuries has a 42.6% share of total inpatients' hospital charges, and fracture of phalanges of hand and other 10 leading injuries possessed 53.4% of total outpatients' hospital charges. 5. Multiple regression analysis revealed that length of hospital stay, number of revealed that length of hospital stay, number of radiologic examinations, duration of operation, age, and others were the major determinants of total hospital charges. A comparision with medical insurance and car insurance for hospital charges and days for treatment showed 2-4 times higher than medical insurance, but showed 0.4~1.0 times lower than medical insurance and car insurance for daily treatment charges.

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