Dongkuk Steel, 40 Billion KRW Safety and Health Investment This Year... "Zero Safety Blind Spots"

Facility Investment Increased by 22 Billion KRW... Effective Accident Prevention through Introduction of Smart Safety Management

Dongkuk Steel has developed a Bluetooth-based smart band monitoring system (D-Blu) and plans to expand its application to sites such as its Busan and Incheon factories this year. The system transmits real-time data on workers' heart rates, body temperatures, and movements to a central control system through a location-based system, and sends emergency alarms in case of dangerous situations. The photo shows a Dongkuk Steel employee wearing a smart band equipped with D-Blu. Photo by Dongkuk Steel

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Dongkuk Steel is significantly expanding its investment in safety and health and strengthening safety and health management.

On the 24th, Dongkuk Steel announced that its safety and health investment in 2022 reached 40.1 billion KRW, an increase of 23.5 billion KRW or 142% compared to last year.

The budget for all areas related to safety and health, including facilities, personnel, supervision, external evaluation, and supplies, will be expanded. The number of safety and health managers increased from 86 last year to 98 this year, and recruitment will continue to increase. In particular, 23.7 billion KRW, accounting for 59% of the total budget, will be invested in safety and health facilities. This facility investment is an increase of 22 billion KRW compared to the previous year.

Accordingly, President Kim Yeon-geuk, the person responsible for management, will lead the formation of a task force (TF) for the Integrated Lockout System (I.L.S.) and plans to integrate and advance the systems previously operated at each business site into a company-wide standard. The I.L.S. is a system that fundamentally eliminates the causes of accidents by implementing lockout, isolation, and shutdown of energy sources during repair or maintenance of equipment.

Support for strengthening safety and health management of partner companies will also be expanded. Dongkuk Steel plans to promote safety and health management system certification for all partner companies this year. A safety council with partners is operated twice a month, and support will be provided so that all partners can obtain the certification within this year.

Dongkuk Steel plans to implement a smart safety system throughout the factory to effectively achieve 'zero safety blind spots.'

First, the on-site real-time monitoring system will be expanded. Mobile CCTVs will be operated more widely to monitor safety status in real time. The mobile CCTVs are linked with PCs and smartphones, and information is immediately transmitted to the central control center when risky behavior or situations occur.

Accidents during movement between tasks will be prevented. AI (artificial intelligence) cameras, around-view (360-degree) cameras, speed limiters, and ignition-linked safety belts will be installed on forklifts, vehicles, and other heavy equipment inside the factory. Smart bands will also be utilized. Dongkuk Steel has developed a Bluetooth-based smart band monitoring system (D-Blu) and plans to expand its application to sites such as the Busan and Incheon factories this year. This system transmits real-time data on workers’ heart rates, body temperatures, and movements to the central control system through a location-based system and sends emergency alarms in case of dangerous situations.

A Dongkuk Steel official stated, "We will make this year the first year to focus the company’s resources to become a company that protects the safety and health of all workers," referring to the safety and health management vision.

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