Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2012 Mar;24(1):52-60.

The Relationship between Shift Work and Work-related Injuries among Korean Workers

• Park TJ
• Paek DM
• Joh KO
• Park JS
• Cho SI

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between shift work and work-related injuries in a representative sample of Korean workers.
METHODS
We used data from the Korean Working Condition Survey of 2006. The participants were 7,075 Korean workers 15 to 64 years of age. Logistic regression was employed to estimate the relationship between shift work and work-related injury using the SAS version 9.2 program.
RESULTS
Shift work was significantly related to work-related injuries compared to non-shift workers(OR 2.40, 95% CI=1.65~3.48). When personal and occupational risk factors were accounted for, shift work had a statistically meaningful relationship with work-related injuries compared to non-shift work(OR 1.79, 95% CI=1.20~2.66).
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, shift workers appear to have a higher risk of work-related injuries compared to non-shift workers. Work-related injuries in shift workers could be attributed to circadian rhythm disorder and sleep problems. Suitable arrangements that ensure flexible working times are needed for shift workers. Further study will be needed to identify and mitigate work-related injuries among shift workers.

Keyword

Shift work; Work-related injury; Korean working conditions survey

MeSH Terms

Chronobiology Disorders
Dietary Sucrose
Humans
Logistic Models
Phenothiazines
Risk Factors
Dietary Sucrose
Phenothiazines

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