Gwanak-gu Rolls Up Sleeves for Safety of Elderly Recycling Collectors

Support for Night Safety Equipment (Reflective Vests, Reflective Straps) for 111 Elderly Recycling Collectors... Contributing to Proactive Prevention of Night Traffic and Other Safety Accidents

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) announced that on August 21, it provided nighttime safety equipment (reflective vests, reflective straps) to help ensure the safe activities of elderly recycling collectors who collect waste paper and scrap metal.

At a meeting with related local organizations, it was confirmed that 4 out of 5 recent nighttime traffic accidents involved elderly waste paper collectors, prompting a swift response.

Elderly recycling collectors who work at night or early morning using handcarts or rear carts are constantly exposed to various safety hazards such as traffic accidents.

Accordingly, to establish a basis for support, Gwanak-gu partially revised and completed the Ordinance on Waste Reduction and Resource Recycling Promotion in July, and through a full survey, provided safety equipment to all 111 elderly recycling collectors.

Additionally, the full survey revealed that all recipients were aged 60 or older, placing them in a high-risk group for traffic accidents. With the cooperation of the Gwanak Police Station, a 'traffic safety education' program is also planned.

Furthermore, due to the area's geographical characteristics, including many slopes, hills, and narrow alleys, the district plans to provide rear carts with brakes to prevent safety accidents such as slips during winter.

Mayor Park Junhee stated, “Although we are fully mobilizing our administrative capabilities for COVID-19 prevention, as the head of the district, I will meticulously oversee and ensure that no effort is spared in promoting various safety policies, including support for elderly recycling collectors who are in safety blind spots.”

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