Dispatch of labor inspectors to the site... Investigation underway
Minister Lee also visits... SGC E-Tech Construction supervises nationwide construction sites
Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik responding to questions from lawmakers during the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee's audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held on the afternoon of the 5th at the Government Sejong Complex in Sejong City. (Photo by Yonhap News)
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 21st that labor inspectors have been urgently dispatched to the construction site in Anseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, where a fall accident occurred resulting in five people either dead or seriously injured, to investigate the cause of the accident.
According to the Ministry, labor inspectors from the Gyeonggi Regional Office's Major Accident Management Division and the Pyeongtaek Branch's Industrial Accident Prevention Guidance Division arrived at the accident site and are verifying whether the construction was carried out according to the design documents to determine the cause of the collapse.
Additionally, they are investigating violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, including compliance with the initial curing standards for concrete. Curing work involves maintaining adequate moisture until the concrete fully hardens and protecting it from shocks or freezing, which is often cited as a cause of industrial accidents at work sites.
The Ministry has also launched an investigation into whether SGC E-Tech Construction, the contractor, violated the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
The Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which has been in effect since January 27, stipulates that if an industrial accident such as a worker's death occurs at workplaces with 50 or more regular employees (or construction projects worth 5 billion KRW or more), employers or management officials who fail to fulfill their obligations to prevent accidents can face imprisonment of one year or more or fines up to 1 billion KRW.
The Ministry ordered a work stoppage at the site and, under the direction of Minister Lee Jung-sik, formed a Central Industrial Accident Response Headquarters and Regional Industrial Accident Response Headquarters.
Ryu Kyung-hee, Director of the Ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters, visited the accident site on the same day, urging for a swift determination of the cause and thorough recovery efforts, and emphasized strict investigation of any legal violations.
Minister Lee plans to visit the site during the day and has instructed to strengthen inspections and supervision to prevent recurrence of similar accidents.
The Ministry plans to conduct special supervision of the accident site and oversee major construction sites nationwide operated by SGC E-Tech Construction. Furthermore, it will conduct surprise inspections of concrete pouring work at major logistics warehouse construction sites across the country.
Earlier that day, at around 1:05 p.m., a fall accident occurred at the KY Logis cold storage warehouse new construction site located in Oegacheon-ri, Wongok-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi Province.
The accident happened when approximately 15 pyeong (about 49.6 square meters) of formwork on the 4th floor collapsed down to the 3rd floor during concrete pouring work. The Ministry has determined that the lower scaffolding (temporary structure) could not bear the weight and collapsed.
As a result, five workers fell approximately 5 to 6 meters below and were seriously injured. Among them, two died, and three are receiving treatment at a hospital.
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