Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Crack Down on 102 Sites Illegally Handling Hazardous Chemicals

Cases of Illegal Handling of Hazardous Chemicals in Business Sites in Gyeonggi Province

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Gyeonggi Province has uncovered a large number of companies violating the Chemical Substances Control Act by using hazardous chemical substances without permission or failing to properly manage locks on hazardous chemical storage facilities.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police for Public Safety announced on the 18th that, after inspecting 360 licensed hazardous chemical handling companies in the province from the 13th to the 24th of last month, they detected a total of 104 violations at 102 companies.

Among the major cases, Company A located in Siheung City was caught using anhydrous chromic acid and sodium hydroxide during metal surface treatment work for 2 years and 9 months from June 2020 to March 2023 without obtaining permission from the competent authority. Chemicals with strong toxicity such as anhydrous chromic acid and sodium hydroxide are designated as poisonous substances that can cause chemical accidents.

Company B in Pyeongtaek City operated a facility storing 3㎥ of sulfuric acid and was required to install locks on the storage facility and maintain them in proper working order. However, it was found that the lock at the entrance of the storage facility was installed on only one ring, rendering it ineffective and neglected.

Company C in Anseong City handled the corrosive hazardous chemical triethylamine but failed to maintain emergency shower facilities within the workplace. When handling corrosive hazardous chemicals, emergency shower facilities must be installed nearby the handling area and kept in proper working condition at all times.

Company D in Paju City was found storing ethyl acetate and methyl ethyl ketone in hazardous chemical storage facilities without labeling the substances as required.

The Chemical Substances Control Act stipulates that handling hazardous chemicals without permission or failing to operate locks properly can result in imprisonment for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 100 million won. Failure to operate emergency shower facilities or properly label hazardous chemicals can result in imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

The special judicial police plan to refer all violating companies to the prosecution and notify the relevant administrative authorities.

Hong Eun-gi, head of the Provincial Special Judicial Police for Public Safety, emphasized, "Since hazardous chemicals cause significant harm to the human body, thorough safety management is crucial. We will strive to raise awareness among hazardous chemical handlers and preemptively block risk factors that cause chemical accidents to create a safe Gyeonggi Province for residents."

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