Seoul City Conducts Surprise Comprehensive Inspection of Hazardous Materials in Printing Factories

Special Task Force Formed Starting February 15

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 13th that "from the 15th, a comprehensive crackdown on printing factories will be conducted to prevent large-scale fires during the winter season."

The Fire and Disaster Headquarters is promoting this crackdown to proactively prevent large-scale fires in printing factories within Seoul and to strengthen fire safety management, following a series of fires at printing factories located in Incheon and Sejong City last December.

The crackdown targets 15 printing factories within Seoul, and a joint inspection team of 8 members in 4 groups from the Fire and Disaster Headquarters and frontline fire stations will be deployed for this operation.

The inspection will focus on the proper handling of hazardous materials such as toluene, solvents, and thinner, which are classified as hazardous substances under the Hazardous Materials Safety Control Act. In particular, a zero-tolerance policy will be strictly enforced for the storage and handling of hazardous materials exceeding the designated quantity, with severe penalties applied and operations required to obtain proper permits.

Additionally, violations of regulations stipulated in the ordinance regarding storage and handling standards for hazardous materials below the designated quantity, as well as facility standards for places storing and handling small quantities of hazardous materials, will also be examined.

Furthermore, the inspection will focus on whether evacuation and fire prevention facilities are closed or blocked, if obstacles are piled up, and other violations related to fire facility safety management.

A representative from the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters stated, "Damage caused by illegal fire safety acts ultimately affects the citizens," and added, "This strict crackdown is to prevent such incidents."

Meanwhile, according to the Hazardous Materials Safety Control Act, storing or handling hazardous materials exceeding the designated quantity in places other than storage or manufacturing sites is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Seongyeol Park, Head of Prevention at the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "Hazardous materials stored or handled without adhering to safety standards can lead to large-scale fires at any time," and added, "We will do our best to ensure hazardous materials safety management through continuous crackdowns and public awareness campaigns."