Earticle

Construction workers experience a high burden of work-related musculoskeletal pain due to physically demanding tasks and hazardous working environments. However, evidence based on nationally representative data examining psychosocial job characteristics and work-related musculoskeletal pain among construction workers remains limited. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal pain among Korean construction workers using the job demand–control –support (JDCS) model. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the 7th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), with a final sample of 1,313 construction workers. To account for the complex sampling design of the KWCS, final weights recommended by the data provider were applied, and all statistical analyses were performed using complex sample procedures in SAS version 9.4. Job demand, control, and support were measured using standardized questionnaire items. Differences in characteristics based on the presence of work-related musculoskeletal pain were examined using the Rao-Scott χ²test for categorical variables and complex sample regression analysis for continuous variables. Finally, multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sociodemographic and occupational confounding factors, was conducted to identify independent risk factors affecting work-related musculoskeletal pain. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among the participants, 43.0% reported work-related musculoskeletal pain. Workers with musculoskeletal pain had significantly higher job demand and lower levels of job control and job support compared with those without pain (p<0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, job demand was significantly associated with an increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal pain (odds ratio [aOR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–1.05). Job control and job support were not significantly associated with musculoskeletal pain. Female sex, older age, low level of education, dissatisfaction with the work environment and longer weekly working hours were also significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions: Work-related musculoskeletal pain among construction workers was primarily associated with high job demand, demographic factors, and long working hours, whereas job control and job support showed limited associations. These findings highlight the importance of reducing physical and ergonomic job demand, improving working conditions, and implementing targeted preventive strategies for vulnerable groups to protect the musculoskeletal health of construction workers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of peer support, supervisor support, job stress, and work environment satisfaction on health problems among construction workers. Methods: Data were analyzed using the 7th National Survey of Working Conditions (2023), a public big data source. The study participants consisted of a total of 1,356 construction workers. Data analysis was performed using t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Results: Among construction workers, health problems and job stress were found to be higher in groups experiencing low back pain (p=.003), upper extremity muscle pain (p=.001), lower extremity muscle pain (p=.040), and fatigue (p=.048). Additionally, work environment satisfaction was low in all groups (p<.001). Participants who reported anxiety showed low supervisor support (p=.048), while the group reporting depression showed low work environment satisfaction (p=.030). Peer support had a significant positive correlation with supervisor support (r=.580, p<.001) and work environment satisfaction (r=.188, p<.001), and a significant negative correlation with job stress (r=-.146, p=<.001). Supervisor support had a significant positive correlation with work environment satisfaction (r=.191, p<.001) and a significant negative correlation with job stress (r=-.112, p<.001). Conclusion: To prevent musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue among construction workers, it is necessary to implement company support programs that include peer and supervisor support, as well as programs for job stress management and mental health care.

Purpose: This study aims to provide foundational data for preventing industrial accidents and strengthening occupational safety management and education for foreign workers in the construction industry. It examines the employment status of foreign construction workers, including their distribution by country of origin, the proportion of foreign and domestic workers, occupational distribution, industrial accident trends among foreign workers, and the current status of occupational safety education through a literature review. Method: A descriptive research design was employed using secondary data, including national statistical surveys, government and institutional reports, and academic publications related to the employment status, industrial accidents, and safety education of foreign workers in the construction industry. Results: In 2024, the average monthly number of foreign workers was 114,186, of whom 49,371 had confirmed visas and nationalities. Among these foreigners, Korean Chinese (Joseonjok) accounted for 83.7%, followed by workers from mainland China (5.9%) and Vietnam (2.2%). Foreign workers represented 14.7% of the construction workforce in 2024, showing a continuous increase since 2020. By occupation, foreign workers were most commonly employed as ordinary laborers (23%), followed by formwork carpenters (21.8%) and steelworkers (11.7%). Higher proportions of foreign workers were also observed in interior work, interior carpentry, concrete work, and masonry—occupations with relatively low domestic participation. As reliance on foreign labor has increased, industrial accidents among foreign construction workers have also risen. Conclusion: To reduce industrial accidents among foreign construction workers, expanding multilingual occupational safety education is increasingly important as workers’ countries of origin become more diverse. In addition, culturally sensitive, multifaceted approaches that promote safety culture and effective communication at construction sites are needed alongside formal education programs.