[2021 National Audit] Half of Workplaces with Confined Space Suffocation Deaths Did Not Provide Training

Violation of the Industrial Safety Act if No Training Provided for Manhole and Confined Space Work

Song Okju "Considering Strengthening Punishment for Workplaces Without Special Training"

Sewer Manhole Inspection Photo. (Photo by Asia Economy DB)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] It has been revealed that half of the workplaces where workers died from asphyxiation accidents in confined spaces such as manholes over the past five years did not conduct safety and health education.

According to data received by Song Okju, a member of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee from the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 19th, out of 51 cases (73 deaths) of asphyxiation accidents in confined spaces, 24 cases (47%) occurred at workplaces that did not provide special education. This is a violation of the Industrial Safety and Health Act.

According to Article 29, Paragraph 3 of the Act, employers must provide additional safety and health education (special education) when hiring workers for hazardous or dangerous tasks or when changing their tasks to such work. Special education must be provided for high-risk tasks such as asphyxiation-prone work in manholes and confined spaces, high-altitude work like scaffold assembly and dismantling, and dangerous tasks involving the use of five or more power-driven press machines.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor reported to Assemblywoman Song that "Currently, there is no legal obligation under the Industrial Safety and Health Act to report the results of education conducted by employers themselves, making it difficult to grasp the current status." This means it is practically difficult to determine whether the education is being properly implemented.

Assemblywoman Song stated, "Special education before hazardous work is essential to prevent serious accidents," and added, "We will consider effective measures such as improving the system so that employers at least report the education electronically and strengthening penalties if special education is not conducted."