by Kim Minyoung
Published 25 Apr.2023 11:00(KST)
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 25th that it conducted a special inspection of 672 construction sites nationwide targeting tower crane operators from March 15 to April 14, and identified 54 individuals suspected of violating their duty of diligence, initiating suspension of qualifications and other measures.
The special inspection focused on sites with concentrated tower crane installations such as high-rise apartments and officetels, concentrating on whether the operators exhibited any of the 15 types of unfaithful work behaviors outlined in the 'Criteria for Judging Violations of Tower Crane Operators' Duty of Diligence.'
As a result, a total of 161 suspected violations of the duty of diligence were detected involving 54 tower crane operators at 15 sites. Among these, refusal to work without justifiable reason accounted for 85 cases (53%), followed by intentional work delays with 52 cases (32%), and unauthorized departure from the operator's cabin with 23 cases (14%).
The Ministry will initiate qualification suspension procedures for 26 of the 54 individuals for whom supporting evidence has been secured or is being secured, and plans to start warning procedures for 18 individuals whose violations, such as delayed boarding, are relatively minor.
The five regional land management offices, which have the authority to impose qualification suspensions, will form administrative disposition review committees composed of lawyers, labor consultants, and construction machinery experts by the end of this month to review the appropriateness of the disciplinary actions. During the disciplinary process, hearings will be held to allow the parties involved to present their statements.
In particular, for operators at a construction site in the metropolitan area who were caught drinking before the end of working hours (also detected for refusal to work), if the review committee approves, the disciplinary notice is expected to be issued as early as the end of May.
Warning measures will be reviewed for appropriateness by the same review committee as for qualification suspensions, and the warning letters will include notification of the violations detected this time, along with a statement that if reoffending occurs and the individual is judged to have violated the duty of diligence (or duty to maintain dignity) as a national technical qualification holder, their qualification may be suspended (or revoked).
Meanwhile, the special inspection also investigated the damage status at construction sites caused by work slowdowns by tower crane operators, finding that at approximately 93% of sites, the work speed was at least 95% of normal levels, indicating that most sites are progressing without disruption.
After the special inspection, the Ministry plans to operate regional working groups focusing not only on the major sites inspected this time but also on newly installed tower crane sites and reported sites, maintaining a continuous inspection system to eradicate intentional work delays by operators.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong stated, "The special inspection has achieved its intended results, including a significant reduction in illegal and unfair practices at construction sites. We will proceed with follow-up procedures to ensure that the 26 individuals subject to qualification suspension receive disciplinary actions commensurate with their violations," adding, "The government plans to establish a continuous inspection system after the special inspection ends and will make every effort to crack down on illegal activities until construction sites return to normal."
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