Nakdonggang River Basin Environmental Office Strengthens Chemical Accident Prevention Patrols in Ulsan National Industrial Complex Area

Special analysis vehicles of the Ulsan Chemical Disaster Joint Response Center are conducting on-site patrols of the petrochemical industrial complex. (Photo by Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Woo-kwon] On the 13th, the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office announced that it will strengthen on-site patrols in areas with a high likelihood of chemical accidents, such as the Ulsan petrochemical industrial complex, by utilizing the special analysis vehicle of the Ulsan Chemical Disaster Joint Response Center.

The Environmental Office had planned to conduct intensive on-site inspections targeting workplaces with a history of chemical accidents and those near densely populated residential areas since the beginning of the year. However, inspection activities have been temporarily suspended due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and safety training for handlers of hazardous chemicals has also been postponed.

On the other hand, in the first quarter of this year, 16 chemical accidents occurred domestically, an increase of 9 cases compared to the same period last year. In particular, Ulsan experienced 3 chemical accidents, 2 more than the previous year’s same period, all of which occurred in national industrial complexes, making management urgent.

Accordingly, the Nakdong River Office has decided to strengthen patrols of the Ulsan National Industrial Complex and other areas using remote chemical imaging equipment (RAPID) and on-site measurement analysis buses. The patrol targets include the Ulsan petrochemical complex, Onsan National Industrial Complex, Yongyeon and Yongjam areas, and Yeocheon, Maeam, and Jangsaengpo areas. If any abnormal signs of chemical substances are detected during patrols and equipment on-site monitoring, immediate on-site inspections will be conducted on suspicious workplaces.

Lee Ho-jung, head of the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, emphasized, "We ask companies to actively participate in preventing chemical accidents to ensure that safety management of chemical plants is not neglected due to COVID-19," and added, "We will do our utmost to ensure safety management to firmly protect the public from chemical accidents."

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