Repeated LPG Accidents... Increased Fines for Negligent Business Owners in Safety Management

Current 2 Million Won → Up to 10 Million Won
Strengthening Gas Leak Alarms and Bulk Lorry Safety Equipment

To prevent repeated explosions and fires at LPG filling stations and storage facilities, the government will increase fines for business owners who neglect safety management to up to 10 million won. Alarm and warning systems will also be strengthened so that outdoor workers can quickly detect gas leaks.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced the "LPG Filling Station and Storage Facility Explosion and Fire Casualty Prevention Measures" containing these details. After an LPG filling station explosion in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province in January resulted in five casualties, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety formed a joint public-private disaster cause investigation team with related ministries including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the National Fire Agency to devise countermeasures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

First, penalties will be strengthened for business owners who fail to comply with safety management obligations. Fines will be increased progressively based on the number of violations. Currently, the fine is 2 million won, but going forward, it will be significantly raised to 3 million won for the first violation, 5 million won for the second, and 10 million won for the third. Additionally, regulations including penalties will be established to prevent one safety manager from being appointed redundantly to multiple filling stations.

To enhance initial response on-site, alarm notification and shutdown systems will be reinforced. Alarm functions linked with loudspeakers and speakers will be developed so that gas leak alarms can be heard even when working outdoors. The system will be improved so that when alarm devices at filling and storage facilities sound simultaneously, emergency shut-off valves automatically activate.

An environment will also be created where gas can be shut off without direct access when a leak occurs. A standard for installing shut-off devices will be prepared to enable gas shut-off not only from the exterior of bulk lorry vehicles but also from the driver’s seat or door handles, and devices allowing gas shut-off via smartphones or other means outside the site will be developed.

In addition to regular and occasional inspections conducted after prior notice, unannounced safety inspections will be introduced to ensure the effectiveness of checks. Business owners’ voluntary inspections will also be strengthened. A mobile management system that allows real-time verification of compliance with bulk lorry vehicle filling procedures will be distributed to business owners. LPG suppliers must submit their own safety inspection results to local governments via mobile devices.

Safety equipment for LPG filling vehicles themselves will also be reinforced. The LPG filling station explosion accident in Pyeongchang last January occurred when a bulk lorry started its engine and moved during the filling process, causing a gas leak. Going forward, the regular vehicle inspection items will include a misfire prevention device for high-pressure gas transport vehicles, and improvements will be made so that the device operates even when the engine is running. The misfire prevention device prevents the vehicle from departing unless certain components are properly adjusted after filling operations are completed. A gas shut-off device that automatically activates within the vehicle’s equipment when a large amount of gas leak is detected will also be developed.

Na Hyun-bin, head of the disaster cause investigation team, emphasized, "To prevent accidents, voluntary efforts by LPG filling station and storage facility business owners to practice a safety culture must accompany these measures."

Lee Han-kyung, director of the Disaster Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, stated, "Gas explosion and fire accidents often lead to casualties, so thorough safety management is necessary. The government will work closely with related ministries, local governments, and other agencies to ensure that the measures prepared this time are implemented without fail."

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