Mokpo Coast Guard Conducts 'Special Inspection' at Ship Dismantling Site

Fire Accidents Occur Consecutively During Dismantling Work... Proactive Efforts for Accident Prevention

Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Kim Hae-cheol) conducted a special safety inspection on ship dismantling operations to prevent marine pollution and other safety accidents on the 26th.

According to Mokpo Maritime Police on the 27th, the inspection was carried out as a proactive effort to prevent accidents following consecutive fire incidents during ship dismantling work at a shipyard located in the Sapjin Industrial Complex in Mokpo.

Mokpo Coast Guard is inspecting the accident site together with the shipyard and dismantling company personnel related to the fire accident.
[Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard]

The inspection covered △ analysis and inspection of fire accident causes △ identification of safety hazards △ improvement measures at the work site (such as removal of residual oil inside pipes) △ and the permanent placement of safety managers.

In particular, ship dismantling sites are highly vulnerable to fire accidents due to the presence of residual fuel inside oil pipes and the risk of sparks during the dismantling and cutting process igniting flammable materials such as plastics, requiring special caution.

A shipyard official stated, “To prevent safety accidents such as fires, we will strive to prevent recurrence by improving firefighting equipment and work methods, as well as pursuing Safety and Health Management System certification (ISO 45001).”

A Mokpo Maritime Police official said, “Ship dismantling sites are very vulnerable to safety accidents such as fires,” and added, “We will continue to cooperate with related companies to ensure perfect accident prevention.”

Meanwhile, Mokpo Maritime Police issued a corrective order to Company A related to the fire accident under the Marine Environment Management Act.