Comparative analyses of occupational injuries among temporary agency worker and direct contract workers: Findings from the Korea Health Panel 2009-2018

Abstract

Objectives: Several studies have reported health or safety risk of temporary agency workers (TAW). Since most of the studies are just cross-sectional studies, we intended to identify the risk of occupational injury in TAW, using longitudinal study design.

Methods: The Korea Health Panel 2009-2018 data were used in the study. For the statistical analysis of this study, we used a panel logit model to identify the risk of occupational injury in TAW compared to direct contract workers (DCW).

Results: There was no significant difference in risk of occupational injury between TAW and DCW among the overall population (adjusted OR 0.920, 95% CI 0.600-1.411). However, there was a significant increase in occupational injury in women (adjusted OR 2.134, 95% CI 1.092-4.170) and the “19-34” age group (adjusted OR 2.744, 95% CI 1.103-6.825) of TAW.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence for vulnerable groups such as women and younger age groups in the relationship between TAW and occupational injury.