P37
ANALYSIS OF PAST KOSHA ALERTS: IDENTIFYING CRITICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH TOPICS IN KOREA (2013-2023)
W. Kwak, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul, South Korea
Background:
KOSHA alerts, disseminated by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA), serve the purpose of informing employers, employees, and the general public about potential hazards, safety issues, and preventive measures pertaining to occupational safety and health. These alerts are issued to address emerging health threats.
Aims:
This study aims to analyze the topics covered in KOSHA alerts issued in the past.
Methods:
We conducted a review of 66 KOSHA alerts spanning from 2013 to 2023 and categorized the topics into eight categories (asphyxia, organic compounds, metals, acids, gases, dust, physical agents, and biologics).
Results:
Asphyxia emerged as the most prevalent cause of the alerts (56.1%). Alerts related to asphyxia were consistently issued to mitigate the risk of fatal accidents in confined spaces, particularly during the summer and winter seasons. Organic compounds such as trichloroethylene and trichloromethane accounted for 19.7% of the alerts. Physical agents, including ionizing radiation and temperature, comprised 13.6% of the alerts.
Conclusions:
Asphyxia resulting from carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and oxygen deficiency remains a critical issue in Korea.
