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Older Male Construction Workers and Sustainability: Work-Related Risk Factors and Health Problems

Author

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  • Hyun-Jin Park

    (Eastern Gyeonggi Area Office, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Seongnam 13551, Korea
    Department of Industrial & Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul 02876, Korea)

  • Byung-Yong Jeong

    (Department of Industrial & Management Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul 02876, Korea)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the characteristics of working conditions, exposure to risk factors, and health-related problems of older male construction workers. In this study, 1519 male construction workers were the subjects of study, and the working conditions, exposure to occupational risk factors, and physical health-related problems were compared among workers under 50 years, in their 50s, and 60 or over. Older male construction workers have lower educational backgrounds and lower average salaries. The degree of exposure to risk factors was higher in workers aged 60 or over than other age groups, such as high temperature, awkward posture, manual material handling, standing posture, repetitive motion, fumes/dust, vapor, skin contact, and tobacco smoke. In addition, the complaint rate of hearing problems, overall fatigue, backache, upper limb pain, or lower limb pain was higher in older workers. In particular, the complaint rate of musculoskeletal pain was 56.6%, overall fatigue was 40.3%, and the rate of depression symptoms was 41.9%. This study shows a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, overall fatigue, and depression symptoms of male elderly construction workers, suggesting that comprehensive support is needed to improve not only the working conditions of workers but also psychological health problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyun-Jin Park & Byung-Yong Jeong, 2021. "Older Male Construction Workers and Sustainability: Work-Related Risk Factors and Health Problems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13179-:d:690128
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Byung Wan Jo & Yun Sung Lee & Jung Hoon Kim & Rana Muhammad Asad Khan, 2017. "Trend Analysis of Construction Industrial Accidents in Korea from 2011 to 2015," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Muhammad Dawood Idrees & Maria Hafeez & Jung-Yong Kim, 2017. "Workers’ Age and the Impact of Psychological Factors on the Perception of Safety at Construction Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Huguet, Nathalie & Kaplan, Mark S. & Feeny, David, 2008. "Socioeconomic status and health-related quality of life among elderly people: Results from the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(4), pages 803-810, February.
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    1. Xiaojing Meng & Shukai Xue & Kangle An & Yingxue Cao, 2022. "Physiological Indices and Subjective Thermal Perception of Heat Stress-Exposed Workers in an Industrial Plant," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-13, April.

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