J Korean Med Sci.  2014 Jun;29(Suppl):S32-S39. 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.S.S32.

The Scope and Specific Criteria of Compensation for Occupational Diseases in Korea

• Song J
• Kim I
• Choi BS

• KMID: 1791997
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2014.29.S.S32

Abstract

The range of diseases covered by workers' compensation is constantly expanding. However, new regulations are required for the recognition of occupational diseases (ODs) because OD types evolve with changes in industrial structures and working conditions. OD criteria are usually based on medical relevance, but they vary depending on the social security system and laws of each country. In addition, the proposed range and extent of work-relatedness vary depending on the socio-economic conditions of each country. The Labor Standards Act (LSA) and the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act (IACIA) of Korea employ lists based on their requirements without listing causes and diseases separately. Despite a considerable reshuffle in 2003, the basic framework has been maintained for 50 yr, and many cases do not fit into the international disease classification system. Since July 1, 2013, Korea has expanded the range of occupational accidents to include occupational cancers and has implemented revised LSA and IACIA enforcement decrees. There have been improvements to OD recognition standards with the inclusion of additional or modified criteria, a revised and improved classification scheme for risk factors and ODs, and so on.

Keyword

Workers' Compensation; Occupational Diseases; Korea

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Occupational/*classification/*economics
Humans
Insurance, Accident/economics
Insurance, Health/economics
Neoplasms/chemically induced
Occupational Diseases/*classification/*economics/mortality
Occupational Exposure/adverse effects
Occupational Health
Republic of Korea
Risk Factors
Workers' Compensation/*economics/legislation & jurisprudence/standards

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Number of insured workplaces, employees, and industrial disaster victims, and incidence rate of industrial accidents by year.

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