"Due to COVID-19, even fingerprint scanners in cafeterias are being replaced"… SanDanGong's 'Smart Safety Proposal'

Korea Industrial Complex Corporation is actively implementing a smart safety suggestion system to prevent workplace accident risks. The photo shows the cafeteria at the Daegu headquarters of Korea Industrial Complex Corporation. Photo by Korea Industrial Complex Corporation

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] Yoon Mira (pseudonym), an employee of the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, always felt uneasy whenever she used the cafeteria at the Daegu headquarters. This was because she had to place her finger on a fingerprint scanner installed at the cafeteria entrance to record her attendance before eating. With about 200 employees at the Daegu headquarters, many colleagues used the fingerprint scanner daily, raising concerns about the possibility of transmission through hands. Yoon used the "Smart Safety Proposal System" to submit an improvement suggestion to the company, requesting a change to an employee ID card recognition method to prevent infections. After reviewing the appropriateness, the Safety Office, which manages the Smart Safety Proposal System, accepted Yoon’s suggestion and began improving the system.

The Industrial Complex Corporation is actively implementing the Smart Safety Proposal System to prevent workplace accident risks. The system is designed to allow employees to easily and quickly submit safety culture-related suggestions from the field via mobile devices, increasing employee satisfaction.

Currently, a notice requesting employee ID registration is posted in the Daegu headquarters cafeteria to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employees who worked remotely from March to May this year due to COVID-19 have been gradually returning to the office since last month, and the company plans to complete 100% employee ID registration soon through guidance and encouragement. Starting July this year, the fingerprint scanners in the cafeteria will be completely removed and replaced with an employee ID card recognition system.

The Smart Safety Proposal System was established to identify risks, inconveniences, and improvement points perceived by Industrial Complex Corporation employees, as well as facility and security subcontractor staff and on-site workers at owned facilities. It originated from internal review processes aimed at preventing worker accident risks, providing a safe working environment, and promoting safety culture policies within the organization. Since its first implementation in October last year, company-wide participation has been encouraged this year.

While implementing the Smart Safety Proposal System, the Industrial Complex Corporation distributed 3,000 informational stickers to the headquarters, regional offices, and construction sites. These stickers are placed in various locations such as office rooms, elevators, restrooms, and smoking areas.

By scanning the QR code on the sticker with a smartphone, employees can quickly and easily report daily hazards. When the QR code is scanned, a suggestion form appears where users can write their opinions and save them. This connects to a web-based office form, allowing the Safety Office staff to immediately review the submissions. The advantage is the convenience of sending suggestions directly from the field using mobile devices. Suggestions submitted by employees are reviewed by the Safety Office for urgency and budget requirements and are acted upon immediately. Suggestions requiring budget approval or coordination with other departments undergo mid- to long-term review before implementation.

The Smart Safety Proposal System also supports the implementation of the "Safety Officer System." When the Industrial Complex Corporation holds workshops, training sessions, or sports events, a safety officer is designated to ensure participants’ safety from start to finish, reflecting the need for a policy to institutionalize safety systems.

The suggestion to "attach fluorescent stickers along evacuation routes" was also adopted. Although emergency exit signs exist within the headquarters building to prepare for power outages during fires, fluorescent arrow-shaped stickers were densely placed approximately every 1 meter to clearly mark evacuation routes, enabling employees and visitors to evacuate more quickly in case of an emergency. The Industrial Complex Corporation plans to reward outstanding suggestions with gift cards, prizes, and domestic training opportunities.

Choi Jeong-gwon, Safety General Team Leader of the Industrial Complex Corporation’s Safety Office, said, "The Smart Safety Proposal System is implemented to fulfill the public institution’s responsibility for safety by preventing worker accident risks and providing a safe working environment. We will continue to strive to spread a company-wide safety culture."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.