Promoting and Protecting Worker Health and Safety in the Republic of Korea Agricultural Sector

ABSTRACT

With the exception of agriculture, all other Republic of Korea industrial sectors have comprehensive systems in place for workplace surveillance (i.e., disease, injury, and exposure), research, and targeted interventions. However, because few statistics are available on the occupational health and safety conditions in the Republic of Korea agricultural sector, there is little information to guide interventions to prevent hazardous agricultural exposures. The scant information that is currently available suggests that agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries in the Republic of Korea. Building on information obtained at the International Symposium on Development of Prevention Strategies for Agricultural Health and Safety held in Suwon, Republic of Korea, in 2005, and embellished with examples of surveillance, research, and intervention activities conducted in the United States and elsewhere, this article provides guidance to promote and protect the health of Korean agricultural workers. This information can also guide other countries to reduce agricultural hazards.

Keywords:

• Agriculture
• injury
• Korea
• musculoskeletal diseases
• pesticides
• surveillance

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Seong-kyu Kang, Wonjin Lee, Marie Haring Sweeney, and Doug Trout for reviewing earlier versions of the manuscript.

Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety or the Korean Rural Development Administration.