Abstract
Work schedules comprise various variables and generate health and safety outcomes, including work-related injury, which causes socioeconomic problems, such as productivity loss and damage to worker health. We investigated the association between work schedule irregularity and the incidence of work-related injury among South Korean manual workers using data from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. In total, 18,330 manual workers were included. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to understand the association between work schedule and work-related injury and the influence of sufficient safety information and work schedule on work-related injury. We calculated the influence of an irregular work schedule on occupational injury after controlling for personal and work environment-related factors. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for work-related injury was 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–2.09) for an irregular work schedule. The interaction had an additive effect when the work schedule was irregular, even when sufficient safety information was provided. Manual workers had a higher incidence of injury (2.1%). Even in adjusted analyses, work schedule irregularity conferred greater risks of work injury, particularly when not working the same number of days weekly (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21–1.90). Policymakers and health professionals need to consider the impact of work schedule irregularity on worker safety and health.
Highlights
A work schedule comprises various variables—such as work hours, shift work, and break times between work—that are related to different health conditions, including fatigue and chronic disease.To date, numerous studies have reported the effects of shift work and working hours on workers’health [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
The results revealed a statistically significant correlation between demographic characteristics, such as gender and educational level, and work-related injuries
Among the work environment-related factors, work hours, the size of the workplace, the sufficient provision of safety information, night work, and regular work schedules correlated with work-related injuries
Summary
A work schedule comprises various variables—such as work hours, shift work, and break times between work—that are related to different health conditions, including fatigue and chronic disease.To date, numerous studies have reported the effects of shift work and working hours on workers’health [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. A work schedule comprises various variables—such as work hours, shift work, and break times between work—that are related to different health conditions, including fatigue and chronic disease. Numerous studies have reported the effects of shift work and working hours on workers’. Kecklund and Axelsson reviewed the side effects of shift work with regard to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer [8]. Studies have investigated the effects of work schedules on other health and safety outcomes, such as lack of sufficient sleep and stress [9,10]. Work-related injury is a global problem that affects communities and families. Efforts are needed at the individual level and at the organizational and governmental levels that can effect changes in policies [11]. Injury is extremely important in occupational health; it results in an increased number of workdays lost due to injury, leading to the loss of
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