Government Strengthens Distribution of 'Survival Boxes' for Mine Tunnel Workers

The government is strengthening emergency evacuation facilities for workers in mining tunnels.

On the 4th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that at the 14th Mine Safety Committee meeting, it reviewed and approved the 'Guidelines for the Installation and Operation of Survival Boxes' as emergency evacuation facilities in the event of disasters occurring inside mining tunnels.

According to the guidelines, survival boxes must be installed in easily accessible locations in case of tunnel roof falls or collapses, and they must be large enough to accommodate six or more people for at least 72 hours, protecting workers from external impacts, fires, gas leaks, and other hazards.

Additionally, the survival boxes must be equipped with a certain level of durability, fire-resistant entrances, ventilation systems including internal oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal facilities, lighting, emergency power, and relief supplies. Furthermore, mine operators are required to maintain the survival boxes and provide training to workers.

Following the comprehensive mine safety plan announced in February, the Ministry aims to distribute survival boxes to 83 mines with five or more workers by 2027, prioritizing the installation of survival boxes in 12 mines this year, with all installations expected to be completed by November.

Jung Sogeol, chairman of the Mine Safety Committee, stated, "With the full-scale distribution of survival boxes in mining tunnels starting this year, we expect a significant improvement in work safety by securing safe evacuation facilities for workers in the event of disasters inside tunnels."

Mine Tunnel Investigation to Determine Cause of Bonghwa Mine Collapse Accident
(Bonghwa=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Hyuntae = On the afternoon of the 7th, police forensic investigators and officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy descended into the mine tunnel at the site of the Bonghwa mine collapse accident in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, to determine the cause of the collapse. Two miners who were trapped in the collapse accident at this mine on the 26th of last month were rescued on the 4th. 2022.11.7
mtkht@yna.co.kr
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