Working Conditions and Mental Health Status Related With Occupational Injury of Korean Outdoor Workers

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the working conditions and mental health status linked to occupational injury among Korean outdoor workers. Methods: Socioeconomic and occupational characteristics were collected using self-reported questionnaires from 26,468 paid workers selected using the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey. The relationships among mental health issues, occupational injury, and working outdoors were estimated by logistic regression. Results: Outdoor workers were relatively older with lower educational levels and income, worked longer, and had greater exposure to occupational hazards, higher occupational injury rate, significantly higher risk of sleep disturbances, and higher occupational injury rates due to sleep disturbances than non-outdoor workers. Conclusions: There was a significant relationship among working outdoors, sleep quality, and mental health-related issues due to exposure to occupational hazards. Specific occupational health and safety strategies are needed to protect the mental health of outdoor workers.