Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol Proposes Safety Accident Prevention Act for Sanitation Workers

Rep. So: "No Exceptions in Protecting the Safety and Lives of Sanitation Workers"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker So Byeong-cheol (representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye) has drawn attention by proposing a partial amendment to the 「Waste Management Act」 aimed at preventing repeated safety accidents involving sanitation workers.

Earlier this year, a tragic accident occurred when a sanitation worker in his 40s, working early morning, was hit and killed by a vehicle while crossing a crosswalk on a bicycle. This sanitation worker was known to be the head of a family with two sons and one daughter, which made the incident even more heartbreaking.

Last month, another tragic accident sparked public outrage when a drunk driver crashed into a food waste collection truck, resulting in the death of a sanitation worker in his 50s. Such fatal accidents involving sanitation workers continue unabated.

According to the Ministry of Environment, from 2016 over a four-year period, a total of 4,457 safety accidents involving sanitation workers were reported, including 15 fatal cases.

To protect the safety of sanitation workers, the 「Waste Management Act」 had already been amended to impose penalties of up to two years imprisonment or fines up to 20 million KRW on local government heads who violate enforcement rules such as ‘daytime work’ and ‘working in teams of three.’ However, local governments have created exceptions through ordinance re-amendments that allow non-compliance with safety standards, rendering the law ineffective as fatal accidents continue to occur.

In response, lawmaker So Byeong-cheol has taken steps to establish practical measures to guarantee a safe working environment for sanitation workers and to eradicate accidents.

In June, a sanitation worker in his 30s in the Suncheon area was injured when hanging onto the rear footboard of a moving vehicle and struck by a following vehicle. Analyzing the ongoing fatal accidents involving sanitation workers, So has begun drafting legislation to address these issues.

So proposed an amendment to elevate the safety standards in the enforcement rules of the 「Waste Management Act」 to the status of a superior law clause, mandating compliance with safety standards without exception.

According to the amendment, compliance with safety standards such as mandatory rear-view cameras on cleaning vehicles, principles of daytime work and working in teams of three, compulsory provision of protective gear, and adjustment or suspension of work during adverse weather conditions must be ensured. Other necessary details, including safety standards and applicable subjects, will be stipulated by the Ministry of Environment.

So stated, “Above all, the safety and lives of sanitation workers are paramount,” adding, “No exceptions should be tolerated to protect them. I will ensure the passage of this amendment so that sanitation workers can work in a safe environment.”