TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - The characteristics of fatal occupational injuries in Korea's construction industry, 1997-2004
JO  - Safety science
A1  - Im, Hyoung-June
A1  - Kwon, Young-Jun
A1  - Kim, Sang-Gu
A1  - Kim, Yong-Ku
A1  - Ju, Young-Su
A1  - Lee, Hwa-Pyung
SP  - 1159
EP  - 1162
VL  - 47
IS  - 8
N2  - This study is aimed at exploring the characteristics of fatal occupational injuries in Korea’s construction industry and comparing the causes in various occupations within that industry. There were 10,276 fatal occupational injury victims in Korea over 8 years (1997–2004). The mortality risk due to injuries in construction and non-construction industries was calculated, and their causes were compared. The number of victims of fatal occupational injuries in the construction industry was 4333 (42.2% of the total fatal occupational injuries), and the 1 year mortality risk was higher (23.7/100,000 persons) than in non-construction industries (10.4). Falling was the most frequent (52.7%) cause of fatal injuries. In addition, deaths due to structural collapse and electric shock were significantly higher than in other industries. When the distribution of the causal factors in various occupations within the construction industry was investigated, some factors appeared more frequently in certain occupations than in others. As the construction industry encompasses a large proportion of occupational injuries, a reduction in this field alone will substantially contribute to an overall reduction of occupational injuries in Korea. Further research for effective prevention is needed.<p />
LA  - en
SN  - 0925-7535
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2008.11.008
ID  - ref1
ER  -