122 Deaths at Construction Sites Over 5 Billion Won... Ministry of Employment On-Site Inspection

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 13th that, marking the fifth Field Inspection Day of the year, it will check the implementation of safety measures related to the three major accidents, eight major risk factors, and thawing season safety precautions.

According to the Ministry, the number of fatal accidents in the construction industry last year was 303, a decrease of 38 (11.1%) compared to 341 in 2022. However, at construction sites valued at 5 billion won or more, the number of fatalities increased by 7 (6.1%) to 122.

The Ministry has been operating Field Inspection Days on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month, targeting falls at small and medium-sized construction sites and falls and entrapments in manufacturing. March is the thawing season when ice begins to melt, increasing the risk of accidents caused by landslides on sloped ground as the frozen winter soil thaws.

The Ministry and Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency directly visited construction sites valued at 5 billion won or more to conduct focused inspections on the three major accident types and eight major risk factors. They concentrated on safety measures related to construction machinery and equipment such as excavators and dump trucks, which are major causes of fatal accidents at construction sites, and revised and distributed standard operating procedures for hazardous machinery and equipment that can provide practical help in site safety management.

Participation in the Industrial Safety Diagnosis is also possible. The Industrial Safety Diagnosis, which began in January to enhance workplaces' capabilities to prevent serious accidents, will be conducted until the end of April. After a self-assessment of the workplace's safety and health management system, customized support can be requested based on the diagnosis results.

Ryu Kyung-hee, head of the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters, stated, "During the thawing season, it is essential to meticulously and thoroughly inspect and address risk factors at the site," and encouraged participation in the Industrial Safety Diagnosis, emphasizing that "it is very important for subcontractors at large-scale construction sites to have the capability to prevent accidents."

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