Ministry of Employment Intensifies Inspections on Construction Sites Amid Sharp Rise in Major Accidents with Fines Ranging from 5 Billion to 80 Billion Won

The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency will conduct intensive inspections on construction sites valued between 5 billion and 80 billion KRW on the 6th, the 17th Field Inspection Day.

According to the "Status of Fatal Accidents Subject to Disaster Investigation" announced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor at the end of June 2023, the total number of fatal accidents was 289, a 9.1% decrease compared to the same period last year (318). However, the number of fatalities at construction sites valued at 5 billion KRW or more was 57, a 14% increase compared to the same period last year (50). In particular, fatalities at construction sites valued between 12 billion and 80 billion KRW more than doubled to 28, compared to 12 in the same period last year.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency will focus inspections on three major accident types and eight major risk factors at construction sites valued between 5 billion and 80 billion KRW, including ▲falls (scaffolding, roofs, ladders, aerial work platforms), ▲entrapment (safety devices, stopping operation during maintenance), and ▲collisions (mixed work, collision prevention devices). Especially, they plan to closely examine safety measures related to machinery and equipment such as aerial work platforms and mobile cranes, which were the main causes of fatal accidents at construction sites valued at 5 billion KRW or more in the first half of this year, as well as safety measures related to concrete pouring work.

Ryu Kyung-hee, Director of the Industrial Safety and Health Headquarters at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, stated, "We understand that small and medium-sized construction sites face practical difficulties due to rising raw material prices, but despite this, the life and safety of workers must be the top priority during construction." She added, "Construction site managers should actively participate in urgent safety and health training conducted by local offices and ensure that the core safety rules and training content are shared with workers on site."

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