Yeosu On-site Trainee Death Accident: Employer and Representative Booked

Violation of Basic Safety Rules Detected

On the afternoon of the 15th, a candlelight vigil was held at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Dong-gu, Gwangju, to commemorate the late Hong Jeong-woon, who died during an on-site training. Hong passed away on the 6th while diving to remove barnacles attached to the bottom of a yacht during his on-site training at the Marina Yacht in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 18th that the owner and representative of a workplace in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, have been booked in connection with the death of Hong Jeong-woon, a student at a specialized high school in Yeosu, during an on-site training.

From the 7th to the 15th, the Ministry conducted an accident investigation and industrial safety inspection at the workplace in Yeosu and found violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act.

It was revealed that the employer instructed Hong to dive to remove barnacles despite him lacking diving qualifications, licenses, and skills. Before diving, equipment such as the diving gear and pressure regulator were not checked, and basic safety rules such as working in pairs, assigning a watcher, and providing safety equipment were not followed. Additionally, five other violations unrelated to the diving work were found, including the absence of a central railing on the deck and failure to conduct a health check before assigning work, resulting in fines and corrective orders.

The case of Hong is the first death of an on-site trainee since October last year when essential safety and health regulations under the Industrial Safety and Health Act were applied to trainees. The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to promptly transfer the case to the prosecution. Furthermore, it intends to actively guide and instruct other companies participating in on-site training to refer to the inspection results.

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