Ministry of Employment Begins Search and Seizure of S-Oil in 'Ulsan Explosion Accident'

1 Dead, 9 Injured... Forced Investigation
Probe into Violation of Serious Accident Punishment Act

On the 19th of last month, a fire caused by an explosion occurred at the S-Oil Ulsan Plant in Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan City, resulting in the death of one subcontractor employee and injuries to nine primary and subcontracted workers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the police have begun a search and seizure operation targeting S-Oil in connection with the 'Ulsan Explosion Accident' that resulted in 10 casualties.

On the 2nd, starting around 9:30 a.m., the Busan Regional Employment and Labor Office, in cooperation with the police, announced that they are conducting a search and seizure of S-Oil and subcontractor offices.

On the 19th of last month, while inspecting a heat exchanger during the alkylation process at the S-Oil factory located in Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, flammable gas leaked. Subsequently, an explosion occurred due to an unidentified ignition source, resulting in 1 death and 9 injuries.

The alkylation process is a procedure that produces alkylate (a clean gasoline blending component) by reacting isobutane and olefins with a sulfuric acid catalyst.

The employer is required to install devices such as blinders to prevent safety accidents like fires and explosions caused by leaks of highly flammable gases, but it has been confirmed that sufficient safety measures were not implemented. The Ministry of Employment and Labor and others plan to secure related evidence through the search and seizure operation.

So far this year, there have been 11 explosion accidents in industrial sites, resulting in 14 deaths. In the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions, since the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, 17 serious industrial accidents (10 in manufacturing, 4 in construction, and 3 in others) have occurred, causing 17 deaths and 29 cases of occupational diseases.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to intensify the investigation into S-Oil's alleged violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

The Ministry emphasized, "Through the search and seizure, we will clearly identify the cause of the accident and promptly investigate whether the management officials have faithfully fulfilled the 'obligation to ensure safety and health' as stipulated in the Serious Accidents Punishment Act."

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