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

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.