Factors Associated with Work-Related Injuries among Male Platform Delivery and Transportation Workers

This study explores how job autonomy and satisfaction influence work-related injuries among South Korean platform workers, highlighting age-related vulnerabilities to inform safety and policy improvements. This study analyzes the 2020 Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET) survey, which used snowball sampling via online communities and social networks. The dataset focuses on high-risk platform workers, examining job conditions, satisfaction, social security, and health outcomes. Work-related injuries are analyzed as the dependent variable, with job autonomy and job satisfaction serving as the primary independent variables. Particular attention is given to age-specific differences, comparing workers aged 50 and older with those under 50. This study of 153 workers found 65% experienced injuries, with older workers (50+ years) at higher risk, especially when solely reliant on platform labor or subject to platform-controlled costs. College education and job satisfaction reduced injury risks, while job satisfaction buffered risks across age groups, particularly for older workers under customer evaluations. Many middle-aged South Koreans enter platform labor, particularly in delivery and transportation, due to early retirement and post-pandemic job market shifts. These findings highlight the need for policies to improve worker safety, autonomy, and satisfaction in the platform economy.