Ministry of Environment Conducts 'Accident Prevention Strategic Inspections' at Over 1,000 Chemical Accident Risk Sites

Targeting Chemical Accident Sites and Facilities Handling High-Risk Chemicals Within the Last 3 Years

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Environment announced on the 10th that from the 11th to October 29th, it will conduct a planned inspection of about 1,000 facilities handling hazardous chemicals with a high risk of chemical accidents.

This inspection was planned to prevent chemical accidents, which have continuously increased with ▲58 cases in 2019 ▲75 cases in 2020 ▲70 cases in the first half of 2021.

The inspection will be conducted in a hybrid manner: a non-face-to-face method where inspection plans are notified in advance to the facilities, documents are received, and compliance with the "Chemical Substances Control Act" is checked in real-time via video conference; and a face-to-face method linked with the national safety diagnosis inspecting 400 sites nationwide from August 25th to October 29th.

This planned inspection will focus on verifying ▲the appropriateness of permits (including change permits and notifications) under the Chemical Substances Control Act ▲standards for handling hazardous chemicals and managing accident preparedness substances ▲compliance with installation and management standards of handling facilities ▲resident evacuation preparedness in case of accidents. Additionally, to prevent chemical accidents and improve safety management levels at sites handling large quantities of accident preparedness substances, the implementation status of existing risk management plans will also be inspected.

Son Sam-gi, Director of the Chemical Safety Division at the Ministry of Environment, said, "As maintenance of handling facilities and self-inspections of compliance by operators will be conducted during this planned inspection, we expect an increase in autonomous management capabilities." He added, "The inspection will be conducted in a way that facility managers participate, aiming to raise the management’s sense of responsibility and awareness for chemical accident prevention."

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