The fire department is extinguishing the fire at the S-Oil Onsan refinery. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] The Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched an investigation, including a search and seizure of S-Oil and its subcontractors, regarding the incident on the 19th of last month at the S-Oil Onsan Plant in Ulsan, where one person died and nine were injured.
On the 2nd, the Busan Regional Employment and Labor Office announced that at around 9:30 a.m., it conducted a joint search and seizure with the police targeting S-Oil and its subcontractors located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan.
At approximately 8:51 p.m. on the 19th of last month, during the alkylation process at the S-Oil Onsan Plant, a flammable gas leaked while inspecting a heat exchanger, causing an explosion triggered by an unidentified ignition source.
As a result of this accident, one subcontractor worker died, and nine subcontractor workers sustained serious and moderate injuries.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "Devices such as 'blinds' must be installed to prevent accidents like fires and explosions caused by the leakage of highly flammable gas, but we have confirmed circumstances indicating that S-Oil did not sufficiently implement these safety measures during maintenance work."
The Ministry plans to investigate whether the business owner and management officials of S-Oil violated the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and will take punitive actions accordingly.
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