사무직, 기능직, 단순노무직 건설업 근로자의 유해요인노출시간 및 건강문제 비교

Objective: This study aims to compare the working conditions, exposure time to hazard factors, and health-related issues among office, craft, and elementary construction workers. Background: Construction workers are exposed to hazard factors such as limited space, temporary equipment, high temperatures, dark lighting, and harmful substances due to the changing and complex work environment. Method: This study analyzed data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) in 2022. A total of 1,743 construction workers from different occupations including 883 clerks, 764 craft workers, and 146 elementary workers were analyzed for the general characteristics of their working environment, exposure time to hazard factors, and health-related problems according to occupation. Results: The results indicated that the characteristics of on-site craft and elementary workers are different from those of clerks. The on-site workers reported the highest exposure to ergonomic risk factors, and their exposure to physical risk factors was also significant. They reported being exposed to repetitive motions and standing postures for more than four hours a day. In addition, they reported being exposed to awkward postures and vibrations for more than three hours and being exposed to handling heavy materials, noise, high/low temperatures, and fumes and dust for more than two hours. As a result, the incidence of musculoskeletal pain was the highest in the upper limbs while the lower back and lower limbs follow. Furthermore, there were many workers who complained of overall fatigue and depression based on the WHO-5 index. Conclusion: The incidence of musculoskeletal pains and complaints of overall fatigue and depression suggests the need for comprehensive support to improve the working environment and to prevent psychological health-related hazardous factors for construction workers. Application: This study provides basic data on the hazardous factors and health related issues of on-site construction workers, which can be used as a basis for developing comprehensive measures to improve the working environment and psychological health-related hazardous factors.