‘Construction Plan Review Process’ Safety Risk Resolution … Pohang Steelworks Strengthens ‘Pilsa Jeuksaeng’ Safety Management

Standardize Review Items for Construction Plans Differing by Company

The integrated safety council, composed of the construction supervising department and the responsible factory, is reviewing the construction plan.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yeo Jong-gu] POSCO Pohang Steelworks has rolled up its sleeves to ensure safety at construction sites within the steelworks.

With the full revision of the Industrial Safety and Health Act in 2020, the Serious Accidents Punishment Act has been enforced from this year, strengthening safety regulations at industrial sites and expanding the safety-related responsibilities of the primary contractors. In response, Pohang Steelworks has taken proactive measures.

Pohang Steelworks has expanded the scope of safety management from the existing direct management and partner companies to include external construction contractors, and has re-examined the safety management process from the construction planning stage.

Since July, a new 'Construction Plan Review Process' has been implemented to identify risk factors before the start of construction and ensure safety.

The construction plans, which previously varied in content and level by company, have been extensively improved by standardizing all review items. The finalized construction plan undergoes a total of three rounds of review.

If the construction plan is found insufficient, the respective contractor must immediately supplement the content and undergo re-review; otherwise, construction itself is prohibited.

At the end of June, Pohang Steelworks held the 'First Half Investment Construction Contractor Safety Information Exchange Meeting' for construction companies to explain the strengthened construction plan review measures.

Bang Seok-ju, Deputy Head of Facilities at Pohang Steelworks, said, “The construction plan is the work standard for investment construction, and through thorough review, most risk factors at construction sites can be eliminated in advance. Strict adherence to the review process before construction is crucial to prevent safety accidents.”

Additionally, since last year, Pohang Steelworks has expanded the deployment of dedicated safety personnel called 'Safety Keepers,' who were assigned to all maintenance and repair work, to construction sites as well. Currently, for large-scale projects carried out over a long period, up to 10 Safety Keepers are assigned to observe and guide workers' safety on site.

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