Characteristics of Workers' Compensation Claims in South Korea's Electronics Industry With a Focus on Occupational Cancers in the Semiconductor and Display Sectors (2013-2022)

Abstract

Objectives Although the electronics industry, including semiconductor and display manufacturing, is considered a clean industry, concerns about workers' health have increased. This study analyzed workers' compensation claims to identify characteristics and inform prevention strategies. Methods We analyzed nationwide workers' compensation data (2013-2022), stratified by injury and disease type. Results Of 5392 compensated cases in the electronics industry, 513 were from semiconductor and 183 from display industry. Injuries accounted for 84.5% of cases, while diseases represented 12.5%. Musculoskeletal disorders were most common disease type in the electronics industry, while cancer was predominant in semiconductor (51.5%) and display (38.5%) industries, with leukemia being the most common compensated cancer. Conclusions The high proportion of compensated occupational cancer in semiconductor and display industries underscores the need for further research and enhanced prevention strategies to protect workers.