Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea
Background: The present study aimed to analyze several aspects of the working conditions and health status of platform workers in the Republic of Korea, such as ergonomic and emotional hazards. We also compared the health status of the platform workers with that of the general population. Methods: A...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Safety and Health at Work |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000027 |
| _version_ | 1797263620877320192 |
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| author | Hyoungseob Yoo Munyoung Yang Ji-Hun Song Jin-Ha Yoon Wanhyung Lee Jinhee Jang Minjoo Yoon Mo-Yeol Kang |
| author_facet | Hyoungseob Yoo Munyoung Yang Ji-Hun Song Jin-Ha Yoon Wanhyung Lee Jinhee Jang Minjoo Yoon Mo-Yeol Kang |
| author_sort | Hyoungseob Yoo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The present study aimed to analyze several aspects of the working conditions and health status of platform workers in the Republic of Korea, such as ergonomic and emotional hazards. We also compared the health status of the platform workers with that of the general population. Methods: A total of 1,000 platform workers participated in this survey from August 7 to August 17, 2022. The participants included 400 designated drivers, 400 food-delivery drivers, and 200 housekeeping managers. A face-to-face survey with a structured questionnaire was conducted by researchers who had received specific instructions. The focus of the survey extended to the work environment, encompassing factors such as workplace violence, as well as physical, chemical, and ergonomic hazards. Health-related data for the previous year were also collected, covering a range of issues such as hearing problems, skin problems, musculoskeletal symptoms, headaches, injuries, mental health issues, and digestive problems. Subsequently, we compared the health symptom data of the responders with those of the general population in the Republic of Korea. Results: Platform workers, including designated drivers, food-delivery drivers, and housekeeping managers, existed in the blind spot of social insurance, facing frequent exposure to physical and chemical hazards, ergonomic risk factors, and direct or indirect violence. The prevalence of health problems, including musculoskeletal symptoms, general fatigue, and depressive symptoms, in each occupational group was statistically higher than that in the general population after standardization for age and gender. Conclusion: The results revealed unfavorable working environment and inferior occupational health of platform workers compared with those of the general population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:15:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9534edd27c2c4cfa902498f7807e42f4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2093-7911 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:15:55Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Safety and Health at Work |
| spelling | doaj.art-9534edd27c2c4cfa902498f7807e42f42024-03-13T04:45:19ZengElsevierSafety and Health at Work2093-79112024-03-011511723Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of KoreaHyoungseob Yoo0Munyoung Yang1Ji-Hun Song2Jin-Ha Yoon3Wanhyung Lee4Jinhee Jang5Minjoo Yoon6Mo-Yeol Kang7Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of KoreaGong-gam Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hyangnam Gong-gam Clinic, Hwasung, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Research Center, Federation of Korean Trade Unions, Seoul, Republic of KoreaCentral Area Epidemiologic Investigation Team, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Incheon, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.Background: The present study aimed to analyze several aspects of the working conditions and health status of platform workers in the Republic of Korea, such as ergonomic and emotional hazards. We also compared the health status of the platform workers with that of the general population. Methods: A total of 1,000 platform workers participated in this survey from August 7 to August 17, 2022. The participants included 400 designated drivers, 400 food-delivery drivers, and 200 housekeeping managers. A face-to-face survey with a structured questionnaire was conducted by researchers who had received specific instructions. The focus of the survey extended to the work environment, encompassing factors such as workplace violence, as well as physical, chemical, and ergonomic hazards. Health-related data for the previous year were also collected, covering a range of issues such as hearing problems, skin problems, musculoskeletal symptoms, headaches, injuries, mental health issues, and digestive problems. Subsequently, we compared the health symptom data of the responders with those of the general population in the Republic of Korea. Results: Platform workers, including designated drivers, food-delivery drivers, and housekeeping managers, existed in the blind spot of social insurance, facing frequent exposure to physical and chemical hazards, ergonomic risk factors, and direct or indirect violence. The prevalence of health problems, including musculoskeletal symptoms, general fatigue, and depressive symptoms, in each occupational group was statistically higher than that in the general population after standardization for age and gender. Conclusion: The results revealed unfavorable working environment and inferior occupational health of platform workers compared with those of the general population.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000027HazardsHealth problemsPlatform workWorking conditions |
| spellingShingle | Hyoungseob Yoo Munyoung Yang Ji-Hun Song Jin-Ha Yoon Wanhyung Lee Jinhee Jang Minjoo Yoon Mo-Yeol Kang Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea Safety and Health at Work Hazards Health problems Platform work Working conditions |
| title | Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea |
| title_full | Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea |
| title_short | Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea |
| title_sort | investigation of working conditions and health status in platform workers in the republic of korea |
| topic | Hazards Health problems Platform work Working conditions |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791124000027 |
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