Jeju Fire Department Issues 'Safety Alert for Grave Mowing Period Before Chuseok'

Published 23 Aug.2023 13:57(KST)

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Kim Suhwan) announced on the 23rd that it will issue an early safety accident advisory for the grass-cutting period on the 24th in preparation for an increase in safety accidents ahead of the Chuseok grass-cutting season.

According to the Jeju Accident and Injury Surveillance System, a total of 100 safety accidents (100 injuries) occurred during grass-cutting work over the past three years, with 85% (85 people) concentrated between August and September, before Chuseok.

Chuseok Pre-Grave Mowing Season Safety Accident Warning Webtoon. <br>Photo by Jeju Fire Headquarters

Chuseok Pre-Grave Mowing Season Safety Accident Warning Webtoon.
Photo by Jeju Fire Headquarters

By cause, accidents caused by agricultural machinery such as brush cutters accounted for 42% (42 cases), physical factors such as excessive work 34% (34 people), and falls and collisions 13% (13 cases).

Specifically, excluding accidents caused by physical factors such as illness, there were a total of 66 injury cases, among which lacerations caused by machinery accounted for the highest proportion at 41 people (62.1%).

By time of day, grass-cutting work was most frequently carried out around 9 a.m., accounting for 19% (19 cases), and the frequency of accidents among men who mainly handle agricultural machinery was high (80 people, 80%).

The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters issued an early safety accident advisory for the grass-cutting period ahead of Chuseok, established a cooperative system with related organizations to disseminate accident prevention safety rules, and established a rapid dispatch system in case of emergencies.

Chief Kim Suhwan said, “You should familiarize yourself with the prevention rules and action guidelines for each type of accident during grass-cutting work to prepare for safety accidents. In particular, when using a brush cutter, you must wear personal protective equipment and maintain a sufficient safety distance during work to prevent kickback.”