Industrial Accident Fatalities Decrease by 45% Compared to Previous Year
Target to Reduce to OECD Average Level by 2027
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Busan City (Mayor Park Hyung-jun) analyzed the status of industrial accidents in the jurisdiction for one year since the enforcement of the “Serious Accidents Punishment Act” (2022.1.27.), confirming that industrial accident fatalities decreased by 45% compared to the previous year as of the cumulative third quarter of 2022 (45 in 2021 → 25 in 2022).
This result is evaluated as a positive outcome reflecting heightened awareness of serious accidents not only among companies but throughout society following the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and the elevation of industrial safety matters to a core management task for companies.
Over the past year, Busan City prepared for the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act by establishing a dedicated organization to comply with legal safety and health obligations, securing and deploying safety and health personnel, identifying and improving hazardous and dangerous factors at each workplace, and establishing emergency response plans, thereby completing the Busan-type safety and health management system. Through the activities of the Labor Safety and Health Guardians for city-commissioned construction projects, compliance with safety and health obligations at the site was continuously monitored.
This year, in preparation for the expansion of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act to workplaces with fewer than 50 employees in 2024, support policies focusing on small businesses will be strengthened.
Additionally, in line with government policy directions, the paradigm will shift to autonomous internal regulation centered on risk assessment. Through the establishment of a five-year basic plan for industrial accident prevention, the plan is to reduce the industrial accident fatality rate (the ratio of fatalities per 10,000 workers) to the OECD average level of 0.29 by 2027.
To this end, from 2023 to 2027 (five years), a roadmap to establish an autonomous prevention system will be promoted. The main contents include ▲(Strategy 1) Strengthening the city’s workplace prevention system by ① supporting the establishment of risk assessment on-site ② conducting work environment measurements ③ promoting the Safety and Health Management System (ISO45001) ▲(Strategy 2) Focused support and management for small businesses by ① certifying excellent labor safety and health companies ② supporting smart technology and safety equipment ③ conducting visiting industrial accident prevention education ▲(Strategy 3) Spreading safety awareness and culture by ① expanding citywide safety culture campaigns ② expanding the operation of the Labor Safety and Health Guardians ③ strengthening the functions of the regional safety and health council.
Lee Su-il, Director of the City’s Administrative Autonomy Bureau, said, “The Serious Accidents Punishment Act means to prevent and prepare for accidents rather than punish mistakes.” He added, “Although industrial accident fatalities have partially decreased since the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, the reality we face is that serious accidents have not been completely eliminated.”
He stated, “The city will fully establish an industrial safety and health system in all administration, including workplaces and employees, through the establishment of autonomous internal regulations, and will create a safe and healthy workplace where everyone can live well together through continuous on-site inspections, education, and focused support and management centered on small businesses.”
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