Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea

  • Hyoungseob Yoo (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Munyoung Yang (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Ji-Hun Song (Gong-gam Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Hyangnam Gong-gam Clinic) ;
  • Jin-Ha Yoon (Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Wanhyung Lee (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University) ;
  • Jinhee Jang (Department of Research Center, Federation of Korean Trade Unions) ;
  • Minjoo Yoon (Central Area Epidemiologic Investigation Team, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Mo-Yeol Kang (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea)
  • Received : 2023.06.01
  • Accepted : 2024.01.18
  • Published : 2024.03.30
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was conducted as part of a commissioned research project by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute in the Republic of Korea (Research Number: 2022-OSHRI-804).

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