Make Sure to Check This! ... Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency Distributes Chemical Accident Case Studies

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA), under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, distributed the 'Chemical Accident Case Study (2023)' materials on the 1st to promote a culture of chemical accident prevention in domestic industrial sites and contribute to the establishment of companies' self-regulatory prevention systems.

The case study book selects seven major chemical accidents that occurred from July 2021 to December 2022, presenting the accident process, related equipment and substance information, causes of the accidents, and preventive measures. It is composed of key check points and lessons for preventing fire, explosion, and leakage accidents.

The seven major chemical accidents include ▲paint (organic solvent) drying fire accident ▲LPG tank lorry gas leak fire accident ▲hydrochloric acid leak accident in water treatment chemical manufacturing process ▲fire and explosion accident during upper piping installation work of storage tank ▲explosion accident after abnormal shutdown of RTO ▲naphtha leak and fire accident during piping drain work ▲fire and explosion accident caused by abnormal reaction in batch reactor.

Unlike previous studies, this research book does not only analyze individual accident causes but also includes explanations of fire and explosion phenomena and detailed descriptions of chemical equipment regulations under the current Industrial Safety and Health Act system.

Cover of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency's "Chemical Accident Case Study (2023)".

KOSHA stated that the case study book is expected to broaden the safety management perspective of workplaces handling chemicals and help establish self-regulatory prevention systems.

Along with distributing this case study book, the agency plans to continue projects aimed at fundamentally preventing hazardous and dangerous substance leaks, fire, and explosion accidents by conducting on-site campaigns and promoting safety culture.

Director Ahn Jong-joo of KOSHA said, “We are honored to disseminate effective information for preventing chemical accidents to workplaces through this case study book,” and added, “We will do our best to prevent chemical accidents and reduce industrial accidents.”