Ministry of Employment: "Obligation to Protect Local Government Officials"
"Local Government-Originated Industrial Accident Deaths Account for 10% Over 5 Years"
"Local Government Heads Are Management Responsible Under Serious Accident Act"
"Urges Role in Reducing Industrial Accidents in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Small Businesses"
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] With the Serious Accident Punishment Act set to be enforced on January 27 next year, one month away, the government has published an industrial accident prevention manual for local governments to reduce fatal industrial accidents at small-scale workplaces nationwide.
On the 30th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that the manual was published to support local government officials in easily understanding the relevant laws and managing safety at workplaces within their jurisdiction.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, there were 232 fatal accidents at construction sites commissioned by local governments over the past five years, accounting for about 10% of all construction industry fatal accidents. The numbers were 44 in 2016, 54 in 2017, 52 in 2018, 36 in 2019, and 46 last year, showing little decrease.
Under the Serious Accident Punishment Act, heads of local governments, who are management responsible persons, will be given new obligations to ensure the safety and health of workers. Accordingly, the manual presents the main contents of the law and preparation methods so that local governments can appoint safety and health officers, form dedicated organizations, and establish and operate safety and health management systems.
Specifically, it includes ▲ safety management measures for construction projects commissioned by local governments and projects directly carried out by them ▲ activities by local governments to prevent industrial accidents at workplaces within their jurisdiction ▲ preparations for the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act. In particular, it contains precautions related to construction projects commissioned by local governments. For each project, such as waste transportation work and green space maintenance projects, it details how responsible officials should manage safety, including relevant laws and specific safety management methods.
The manual also includes industrial accident prevention activities that local governments must undertake under the Industrial Safety and Health Act, which has been in effect since the 19th of last month. It contains a model ordinance for industrial accident prevention, a composition plan for regional industrial accident prevention measures, safety and health education and publicity plans for workplaces within the jurisdiction, and detailed guidance and inspection methods for workplaces by industry such as manufacturing and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
Kwon Ki-seop, head of the Industrial Safety and Health Headquarters at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "To eliminate blind spots in industrial accident prevention, such as in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and small-scale businesses, the role of metropolitan and basic local governments is essential as well as the central government's efforts." He added, "We will further strengthen the cooperation system by continuously holding the 'Local Government Industrial Accident Prevention Council,' which was held on October 28, to collaborate and exchange information with local governments."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
