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Original Article
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Injury rates and work-related diseases following workforce reduction among South Korean on-site workers in basic local governments between 2016 and 2018
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Dongwhan Suh, Nahyun Kim, Han-Na Jung, Woo Chul Jeong, Hyunjoo Kim
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Ann Occup Environ Med 2025;37:e17. Published online July 28, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e17
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 Abstract
Abstract in Korean
 PDF Supplementary Material
- Background
South Korean on-site workers in the public sector, fully covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, often perform hazardous tasks. However, their status and injury rates remain poorly documented. This study aimed to analyze changes in injury rates and the proportion of work-related diseases (WRDs) among on-site workers in basic local governments (BLGs) following workforce reductions between 2016 and 2018.
Methods
Data from two sources provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor were analyzed: organizational data on the number of on-site workers, and cases of injuries, deaths, and diseases among on-site workers in 226 BLGs from 2016 to 2018; and workers’ compensation claims data (individual data) for on-site workers in BLGs during the same period. Injury, mortality, and disease incidence rates were calculated and compared between BLGs with increased and decreased workforce. The proportion of WRDs among all the injuries was also examined.
Results
The total number of on-site workers in BLGs decreased by 18.1% in 2018 compared with 2016. The injury rate increased from 0.46% in 2016 to 0.62% in 2018. BLGs with workforce reductions showed higher injury rates, particularly in those with fewer than 1,000 on-site workers. The proportion of WRDs among all injuries increased by 1.34 times in 2018 compared with 2016.
Conclusions
Workforce reductions among on-site workers in BLGs are associated with higher injury rates and a great proportion of WRDs. These findings highlight the need for improved occupational safety and health practices within the public sector and serve as an important basis for establishing workforce management and injury prevention policies. However, limitations in the available data made it challenging to identify worker groups particularly vulnerable to WRDs. Further research is needed, as it is critical for the development of effective occupational safety and health policies.
- 한국 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자의 인력감소에 따른 재해율 및 작업관련질병 구성비 변화: 2016 - 2018년 산업재해 승인 자료 분석
Background: 산업안전보건법의 전면 적용 대상인 공공행정 기관의 현업업무 종사자들은 종종 위험한 업무를 수행하고 있으나, 이들의 현황과 이들이 겪는 재해에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구는 2016년부터 2018년까지 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자에서의 인력 감소 이후 재해율 및 작업관련질병 구성비의 변화를 분석하고자 하였다.
방법
고용노동부에서 제공한 2가지 자료를 분석하였다: (1) 2016년부터 2018년까지 226개 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자 수, 재해자 수, 사망자 수, 질병 이환자 수를 포함한 조직 수준 자료, (2) 2016년부터 2018년까지 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자의 산업재해 승인 자료 (개별 수준 자료). 이를 통해 재해율, 사망률, 질병 이환율을 산출하고, 전년 대비 근로자 수 증감에 따라 기초자치단체를 구분하여 두 집단 간 이러한 수치를 비교하였다. 또한, 전체 산업재해 중 작업관련질병의 구성비도 분석하였다.
결과
2018년 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자 수는 2016년 대비 18.1% 감소하였다. 재해율은 2016년 0.46%에서 2018년 0.62%로 증가하였다. 전년 대비 현업업무 종사자 수가 감소한 기초자치단체에서의 재해율은 전년 대비 증가한 기초자치단체에서의 재해율보다 더 높았으며, 이는 현업업무 종사자 수가 1,000명 미만인 기초자치단체에서 더 두드러졌다. 전체 산업재해 중 작업관련질병의 구성비는 2016년에 비해 2018년에 1.34배 증가하였다.
결론
기초자치단체의 현업업무 종사자 수 감소는 재해율 및 작업관련질병 구성비 증가와 관련이 있다. 본 연구 결과는 공공부문 현업업무 종사자의 산업안전보건에 대한 인식을 제고하고, 향후 인력관리 및 재해 예방 정책 수립을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있다. 다만, 원 자료의 한계로 인해 작업관련질병에 특히 취약한 근로자 집단을 구체적으로 파악하는 데는 어려움이 있었다. 이는 산업안전보건 정책 수립 시 중요한 문제이므로 향후 추가적인 연구가 필요하다.
Original article
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Factors affecting heat-related illness symptoms among school food service workers: a cross-sectional study in Korea
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Nahyun Kim, Dongwhan Suh, Jia Ryu, Woo Chul Jeong, Yun-Keun Lee, Jinwoo Lee, Hyunjoo Kim
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Ann Occup Environ Med 2025;e30. Published online September 2, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e30
[Accepted]
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Abstract
PDF
- Background
School food service workers are highly likely to develop heat-related illnesses because of their work environment. However, studies that have examined the risk of heat-related illnesses among them are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of heat exposure, implementation of heat wave countermeasures, and prevalence of heat-related illness symptoms among school food service workers in Korea, and to explore the relationship between them.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey of school food service workers from May 25 to June 12, 2023, via three labor unions. We analyzed 6,244 valid responses. We assessed general characteristics, heat-related illness symptoms (heat rash, heat cramps, heat edema, heat exhaustion, heat syncope), duration of heat exposure during heat waves, and heat wave preventive measures. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, with adjustments for age, occupation, hypertension, diabetes, and school type.
Results
More than one-third of school food service workers reported heat exposure between May and September exceeding 4 hours daily, and 94.6% experienced at least one heat-related illness symptom during the last year. A dose-response relationship was observed between heat exposure duration and heat-related illness symptoms (p for trend < 0.001). School food service workers who did not have increased rest periods or did not reduce high-heat prepared foods showed significantly higher odds ratios for heat-related illness symptoms.
Conclusions
School food service workers experience substantial heat exposure and a high prevalence of heat-related illness symptoms. The risk of heat-related illness symptoms was associated with extended duration of heat exposure. Increasing rest periods and reducing high-heat food preparation were effective preventive measures. These findings underscore the need for improved heat exposure management and implementation of effective preventive measures to protect the health of school food service workers, with particular attention to appropriate rest periods.
Original Article
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Associations of chronotype and insomnia with menstrual problems in newly employed nurses at university hospitals in the Republic of Korea
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Han-Na Jung, Dongwhan Suh, Woo Chul Jeong, Jia Ryu, Yu-Mi Kim, Seohyun Yoon, Hyunjoo Kim
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Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e30. Published online August 4, 2023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e30
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Abstract
Abstract in Korean
PDF
- Background
Dysmenorrhea and menstrual cycle changes occur in women working shifts. Circadian rhythm disruption and sleep disturbances associated with shift work leads to health problems. We identified chronotypes and the occurrence of insomnia among newly employed university hospital nurses and investigated the association of these factors with menstrual problems. MethodsWe conducted pre-placement health examinations for shift workers using self-reported questionnaires between 2018 and 2020. A total of 463 nurses were included in the study. Sociodemographic data, shift work experience, and information on insomnia were collected from health examination data. In addition, details regarding chronotype, dysmenorrhea, irregular and abnormal menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, and contraceptive use were obtained from the questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to study the association between chronotype, insomnia, and menstrual problems after controlling for age, body mass index, contraceptive use, amenorrhea, and prior shift work. ResultsThe prevalence rates of dysmenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycles, and longer menstrual cycles were 23.8%, 14.9%, and 4.1%, respectively. The risk of dysmenorrhea increased in the evening-type (odds ratio [OR]: 3.209; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.685–6.113) and those with insomnia (OR: 1.871; 95% CI: 1.074–3.261). Additionally, the risk of an irregular menstrual cycle (OR: 2.698; 95% CI: 1.167–6.237) increased in the evening-type, and the risk of a longer menstrual cycle (OR: 4.008; 95% CI: 1.354–11.864) increased in individuals with insomnia. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that dysmenorrhea is promoted in the evening-type and insomnia individuals. There may be an increased risk of irregular menstrual cycles among evening-type nurses and an increased risk of longer menstrual cycles among those with insomnia. Therefore, factors such as evening-type and insomnia should be considered for the prevention of menstrual problems in women performing shift work.
- 대학병원 신입 간호사에서 수면 관련 요인과 월경 건강과의 연관성
목적
이 연구는 간호사의 건강증진을 위한 효과적인 전략을 개발하는 데 있어 근거자료를 제공하는 것을 목적으로 하며, 구체적으로 일주기리듬 유형(크로노 타입) 및 불면 증상과 월경 건강 관련 문제들과의 연관성을 파악하였다.
방법
연구 대상자는 야간작업에 대한 배치 전 건강진단을 받은 두 개 대학병원에서 근무 중인 463명의 신규 간호사이다. 배치 전 건강진단 자료에서 연령, 체질량지수, 흡연, 음주, 운동 정도, 이전 교대 근무 경험 여부, 불면 증상에 대한 정보를 확보하였다. 일주기 리듬 유형, 피임방법 사용 여부, 무월경 경험, 월경통 및 월경주기의 규칙성과 간격에 대한 정보는 설문조사로 확인하였다. 연령, 체질량지수, 피임방법 사용 여부, 무월경 경험, 교대 근무 경험을 통제하여 일주기리듬 유형 및 불면 증상의 월경 건강 관련 문제들에 대한 위험비를 산출하기 위해 다중 로지스틱 회귀 분석을 수행하였다.
결과
월경곤란증, 불규칙한 월경주기, 긴 월경주기의 유병률은 각각 23.8%, 14.9%, 4.1%였다. 월경통에서 저녁형 일주기리듬 유형의 오즈비가 저녁형 외 일주기리듬 유형 그룹에 비해 3.209배(95% C.I. 1.685-6.113) 높았고, 불면 증상이 있다면 1.871배 (95% C.I. 1.074-3.261) 높았다. 또한 저녁형 일주기 리듬은 월경주기 간격이 불규칙한 경우에(오즈비 2.698 95% C.I. 1.167-6.237), 불면 증상이 있다면 40일 이상의 긴 월경 주기에(오즈비 4.008 95% C.I. 1.354-11.864) 각각 통계적으로 유의한 영향을 미치는 것을 확인하였다.
결론
우리 연구 결과로 저녁형 일주기리듬 유형 간호사에서 월경통과 불규칙 월경 이상이 관찰될 확률이 더 높고, 불면 증상이 있는 집단에서 월경통과 긴 월경주기가 증가할 가능성을 유추할 수 있다. 저녁형 일주기리듬과 불면 증상 같은 요인들은 여성 근로자의 월경 건강에 악영향을 미치는 경로를 연구하는 데 있어 고려해야 할 것들 중 하나가 될 수 있다.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by  - The Relationship Between Chronotype and Social Jetlag in Adolescents: Are Premenstrual Symptoms a Mediator?
Esra Uslu, Türkan Peşkirci, Hülya Çelik
Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry.2025; 17(Supplement): 26. CrossRef
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Original Article
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An Outbreak of Acute Beryllium Disease in a Compound Metal Alloy Factory
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Hyunjoo Kim, Woo Chul Jeong, Young Koo Jee, Dae Seong Kim, Seong Kyu Kang, Sangchul Roh, Kyutag Cho, Donghyun Kim
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2008;20(1):1-8. Published online March 31, 2008
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.1.1
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Abstract
PDF
- OBJECTIVES
We conducted an epidemiological survey to inquire into an outbreak of acute pneumonitis after two reported cases of interstitial lung disease.
METHODS
The study subjects were 45 workers from a compound metal alloy factory. We reviewed the factory's industrial hygiene data along with the results of a special health examination, including pulmonary function tests, simple chest X-rays, and high resolution computed tomography.
RESULTS
The air concentrations of beryllium ranged from 0.42 microgram/m3 to 112.3 microgram/m3, and the mean concentration of urinary beryllium were 1.53+/-0.79 microgram/g of creatinine in the molding workers, 1.41+/- 0.50 microgram/g of creatinine in the casting workers, and 1.16+/-0.53 microgram/g of creatinine in the sorting workers. The rates for cough (p=0.054), dyspnea (p=0.030), and the use of medical services (p=0.018) were higher in the molding workers than in the non-molding workers. The incidence rate of acute interstitial lung disease was higher for the molding process (32.0%) than for the non-molding process (5.0%) (p=0.012). The time of employment for all patients was prior to December 1st, 2002.
CONCLUSIONS
Since most of the patients were molding workers, and all of the patients had worked without a ventilation system, this outbreak of acute interstitial lung disease was regarded as acute beryllium disease. Although the direct cause of the epidemic was the beryllium fumes, the fundamental cause was improper control of the work environment. Therefore, the means for preventing avoidable epidemics of occupational diseases are discussed.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by - Effects of Beryllium on Human Serum Immunoglobulin and Lymphocyte Subpopulation
Ki-Woong Kim, DaeSeong Kim, Yong Lim Won, Seong-Kyu Kang
Toxicological Research.2013; 29(2): 115. CrossRef
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Original Article
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Surveillance of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Korea
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Woo Chul Jeong, Ho Jang Kwon, Mina Ha, Sang Chul Roh, Beom Seon Kwon, Jeong Gun Hyun, Seong Jae Lee, Jong Min Lee, Jeong Yi Kwon, Jun Seong Kim, Nam Jong Baek, Ho Lee, Kyng Woo Lee, Sam Kyu Lee
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Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(1):37-47. Published online March 31, 2004
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.1.37
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Abstract
PDF
- OBJECTIVES
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most important work related musculo-skeletal diseases in Korea. However, there are few epidemiologic studies on the work-related CTS (WR-CTS). This study aimed to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of WR-CTS in Korea.
METHODS
Data obtained from the"CTS Surveillance System". Physician case-reports in the surveillance were used to document patterns of WR-CTS by age, gender, occupation, sign, symptom, working history.
RESULTS
Six hundred and seventy-two cases of WR-CTS were ascertained. of which 314 with complete information on occupational history were analyzed. It has been estimated that as many as 72% of all CTS cases are work-related. The highest proportion of WR-CTS was observed in 'elementary occupation workers', followed by 'skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers'. The distributions of WR-CTS cases were similar with respect to age, obesity, and past medical history. The proportion of WR-CTS was higher in females. There was no significant difference in physical examination findings between WR-CTS and non WR-CTS cases. Repetitive work and the inappropriate hand posture seemed to be the risks for WR-CTS.
CONCLUSION
WR-CTS is a significant public health problem. The CTS surveillance system is quite useful to elucidate the characteristics of WR-CTS, but it remains of limited use in targeting specific industries and occupations for intervention.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by - Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data
Il-Ho Lee, Young-Ki Kim, Dong-Mug Kang, Se-Yeong Kim, In-Ah Kim, Eun-Mi Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2019;[Epub] CrossRef - Work-relatedness of lung cancer by smoking and histologic type in Korea
Young-Il Lee, Sang-Gil Lee, Dong-Mug Kang, Jong-Eun Kim, Young-Ki Kim, Jong-Han Leem, Hwan-Cheol Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef - Disease Prevalence and Mortality among Agricultural Workers in Korea
Won Jin Lee, Eun Shil Cha, Eun Kyeong Moon
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2010; 25(Suppl): S112. CrossRef
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