Ministry of Labor Cheonan Branch Operates Mobile Patrol Team for Micro Construction Sites

Unannounced Inspections of Construction Sites with Fewer Than 5 Workers

The Cheonan Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 16th that it will operate a mobile patrol team targeting ultra-small construction sites in the jurisdiction until next month.

This mobile patrol operation is conducted to prevent fatal fall accidents at ultra-small construction sites with fewer than five workers, such as sign replacement work, electrical and communication equipment replacement work, and interior construction.

At ultra-small sites, portable ladders, portable frame scaffolds, and vehicle-mounted aerial work platforms are mainly used, but basic personal protective equipment such as helmets and safety harnesses are often not worn, leading to continuous fatal accidents.

In fact, over the past 10 years, among construction industry fatal accidents in the Cheonan Branch’s jurisdiction areas of Cheonan, Asan, Dangjin, and Yesan, the proportion of deaths caused by the three major equipment types (ladders, aerial work platforms, frame scaffolds) was 15.2% (17 people), which is higher than the national level of 12.2% (389 people).

However, since ultra-small sites are numerous and work is generally carried out for a short period, it is practically difficult to provide timely guidance and inspection using existing methods.

The Cheonan Branch will additionally operate a mobile patrol team, whose labor inspectors will conduct surprise patrols in the jurisdiction, following the ‘Safety Patrol’ initiative started last month with about 300 local safety management workers.

The mobile patrol team will correct hazardous situations found during patrols on-site and will also respond to hazard reports and 119 emergency accident alerts as they occur. In particular, sites that do not comply with corrective actions will be linked to inspections and supervision, with administrative and legal measures taken as necessary.

Branch Chief Choi Jong-su stated, “Through the operation of the ‘Safety Patrol’ and ‘Mobile Patrol Team,’ which were first planned and are active nationwide by the Cheonan Branch, we will establish a culture of compliance with basic safety rules throughout the region.”

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