Vulnerability of employees in businesses with fewer than five workers (micro-enterprises) to occupational safety and health problems

IntroductionWe assessed the characteristics of micro-enterprises (businesses with fewer than five workers) focusing on occupational safety and health (OSH) issues. MethodsWe performed a secondary analysis of data from the Economically Active Population Supplementary Survey and the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey of 2014. ResultsRelative to larger businesses, micro-enterprises employ more women, temporary workers, and older workers (>55 years). In addition, more workers in micro-enterprises held elementary occupations (unskilled or under-skilled) or sales and service jobs. Key sectors of such employment included the sectors of wholesale and retail trade and hotel and restaurants. Furthermore, lower skilled workers in such micro-enterprises more frequently reported exposure to ergonomic risk factors and subsequent musculoskeletal disorders, and they also experienced a much higher fatality rate due to occupational injuries. ConclusionOur results indicate that Korean workers in micro-enterprises are more vulnerable to OSH problems than workers in larger businesses.