Data resource profile: the Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS).

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Sociology of Work
• Public Health Statistics

Background:

• The Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) is a vital national survey established in 2006.
• Conducted triennially by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI), it tracks evolving Korean workplace environments.
• It serves as a cornerstone for understanding labor conditions in South Korea.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically monitor and analyze changes in working conditions across the Korean employed population.
• To provide a comprehensive dataset for occupational safety and health research and policy formulation.
• To assess key aspects of employment, including working hours, labor intensity, and work-life balance.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional national survey design encompassing approximately 50,000 employed individuals aged 15 and above.
• Utilizes a standardized questionnaire with over 130 questions covering diverse working conditions and health status.
• Employs professional interviewers for face-to-face household interviews to ensure data quality.

Main Results:

• The KWCS collects extensive data on working hours, labor intensity, work-life balance, risk factor exposure, and subjective health.
• It generates statistics essential for evidence-based occupational safety and health policies in Korea.
• The survey's microdata is made publicly accessible to support further academic research.

Conclusions:

• The KWCS is an indispensable tool for tracking and understanding the dynamics of working conditions in Korea.
• The data facilitates targeted interventions and improvements in occupational safety and health.
• Continued data collection and dissemination by OSHRI support ongoing research and policy development in labor studies.