산업재해 중 ‘화학물질 누출⋅접촉’ 및 ‘산소 결핍’ 사례에 대한 체계적 분석 (Ⅰ)

Objectives: If the characteristics and causes of industrial accidents can be identified, the government becomes able to apply its administrative resources more efficiently and ultimately contribute to the reduction of occupational accidents. This study collected and analyzed domestic occupational accident data to establish characteristics, causes, and appropriate preventive measures for chemical-related accidents. Methods: Among the data on workers’ compensation approvals, 1,036 cases (cumulative over three years) of occurrence types of ‘chemical exposure’ and ‘asphyxiation’ were collected. These data were classified by injury type. Among them, 1,019 cases were burns, acute poisoning, and asphyxiation. These 1,019 cases were coded for variables in steps 1, 2, and 3 according to the European statistics and methodology on occupational injuries. Results: In manufacturing, construction, and other industries, burns were the most common injury caused by chemicals, accounting for more than two-thirds of all injuries. Burns occurred in the eyes in approximately 20% of cases. The burn area varied slightly depending on the industry. Burns occur in both routine and non-routine work areas and are caused by a variety of work activities. However, they occur most frequently in production activities and excavation, construction, repair and demolition activities. The main substances were corrosive and irritating substances, and the main cause at construction sites was cement. Conclusions: Using the results of a systematic analysis of these cases, we classified chemical-related injury types and presented event overviews, possible causes, and preventive measures. Additionally, a system to respond to these chemical-related injuries is proposed.