Ministry of Employment Conducts On-Site Safety Inspections in Manufacturing and Waste Disposal Industries

"Power Off During Cleaning and Maintenance to Prevent Manufacturing Industry Pinch Injuries"

Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk inspecting measures to prevent entrapment accidents during a visit to a manufacturing company in Seoul on July 28. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 27th that, in celebration of the 8th 'Field Inspection Day,' it conducted inspections nationwide focusing on the manufacturing and waste disposal industries to check compliance with the three major safety measures.

Since July 14th this year, the Ministry has been conducting biweekly Wednesday on-site inspections to verify whether workplaces are implementing the three major safety measures, including fall and entrapment accident prevention and the wearing of personal protective equipment.

According to the Ministry, from July to the 15th of this month, the number of fatalities from fall and entrapment accidents was 68, a 37.6% decrease compared to the same period last year (109). However, in manufacturing industries with 50 or more employees, where the Serious Accident Punishment Act will be applied starting January next year, fatalities from fall and entrapment accidents increased by 40.9% (9 people).

The Ministry plans to directly visit and provide consulting to some workplaces in the manufacturing sector with 50 or more employees where fall and entrapment fatalities have increased.

Kwon Kisub, Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters at the Ministry, emphasized, "Entrapment accidents in manufacturing can occur in all equipment powered by motors," adding, "Do not approach hazardous areas, and when performing irregular tasks such as cleaning, maintenance, and repairs, always ensure the power is turned off."

From 2016 to last year, over five years, there were 374 fatalities from entrapment accidents in manufacturing, of which 61.2% (229 people) occurred during irregular tasks unrelated to production, such as cleaning, maintenance, and repairs.

Status of Crushing Fatal Accidents in the Manufacturing Industry Over the Past 5 Years. (Data=Ministry of Employment and Labor)

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