Soonchunhyang Med Sci.  2018 Jun;24(1):68-72. 10.0000/sms.2018.24.1.68.

Recent Changes to Improve the Process of Compensation of Occupational Diseases in Workers Covered by the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act

• Jang EC
• Kwon SC

• KMID: 2437769
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/sms.2018.24.1.68

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We studied recent changes and improvement in compensation for occupational accidents, including the occupational diseases of workers who apply for industrial accident compensation insurance.
METHODS
We reviewed the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance policy, the regulations and case reports of the Korea Worker's Compensation & Welfare Service, research reports, and press articles to confirm the approval process for, recognition criteria of, and recent trends in occupational diseases.
RESULTS
The Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act applies to workplaces with one or more regular employees. The approval process for occupational diseases is complicated and requires much time and effort. The Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service needs to conduct an investigation of occupational diseases on its own or, if that would be impossible, it should request an epidemiological investigation or consult with an external professional institution. The Committee on Occupational Disease Judgment requires experts from various fields to participate in order to have consistent and objective reviews. Legal adjustments for commuting disasters have been made since 2018.
CONCLUSION
The application of the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act should be expanded to protect more workers. We should improve the recognition process of occupational diseases so that it is done simply and quickly, and we should maintain the expertise and objectivity of the Committee on Occupational Disease Judgment.

Keyword

Worker; Compensation insurance; Occupational diseases

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Occupational*
Compensation and Redress*
Disasters
Insurance*
Judgment
Korea
Occupational Diseases*
Research Report
Social Control, Formal
Transportation
Workers' Compensation