Drone, AI, and Big Data Deployed to Thoroughly Inspect Busan Port... BPA Conducts Winter Port Safety Checks

Inspection of Large Civil Engineering Facilities Using Drones

High-Risk Management with Big Data and AI Prediction

Provision of Fire Prevention Throwing Fire Extinguishers

Busan Port Authority (BPA, President Kang Jun-seok) has launched a large-scale safety inspection of Busan Port facilities for the winter season.

On the 28th, BPA announced that it is conducting safety inspections reflecting the characteristics of the facilities on operating port structures and sites to ensure thorough prevention of accidents during the winter season.

BPA completed the regular safety inspection for the second half of the year in December, targeting a total of 221 civil engineering and architectural facilities. For facilities that are dangerous to inspect manually, such as outer breakwaters and road slopes, drones were used to conduct safe and detailed safety inspections.

A drone inspecting and filming the cut slope at the Phase 2-1 site of the New Port North Container Terminal.

Joint safety inspections and safety education were also conducted with related organizations for the citizen open areas of the Bukhang Redevelopment Project.

To prevent disasters in the citizen open areas and construction sites of the Bukhang Redevelopment Project, BPA conducted on-site inspections on the 19th together with construction supervisors and site representatives from each site.

The inspection team focused on checking safety facilities such as safety signs and safety railings installed in the citizen open areas, as well as safety management items for each task at construction sites and compliance with safety work permits.

Additionally, for construction sites within the redevelopment area, education was provided on establishing work plans, assigning fire watchers, and using throwable fire extinguishers during fire-risk tasks to prevent fire accidents in winter.

Inspecting the pedestrian bridge at the public access facility in the Bukhang redevelopment area.

The inspection team supplied 80 life-saving smoke hoods for fire evacuation and 8 throwable fire extinguishers to each site. They also provided guidance on the work stoppage system, which allows site workers and facility users to directly request BPA to halt work upon recognizing any hazards.

A more in-depth safety inspection was conducted at the construction site for the Phase 1-2 infrastructure development of the Busan Port Bukhang Phase 1 Redevelopment Project. BPA is paying special attention to preventing major accidents through the use of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency’s big data and AI-based algorithm system.

Officials from BPA’s Port Regeneration Project Team focused on inspecting the operation of construction machinery entry permits, work permit systems, and the status of risk assessments to ensure no negligence in safety.

A safety inspection is being conducted at the Bukhang redevelopment construction site.

In the port operation sector, BPA conducted inspections to prevent winter accidents at various facilities in Gamcheon Port, which it directly manages. On the 28th, BPA’s Gamcheon Office formed an inspection team in cooperation with related organizations at Gamcheon Port to check for risk factors such as freezing and burst pipes, fires, and floor icing. At sites with potential risks, measures were taken such as reinforcing insulation to prevent pipe bursts and providing calcium chloride and sandbags to prevent slipping accidents.

Kang Jun-seok, President of BPA, stated, “We are always attentive to the difficulties faced by on-site workers to prevent safety accidents that may occur due to the sudden cold weather,” adding, “We will do our best to create a safe Busan Port by establishing an efficient facility management system through real-time communication with the field and the use of smart equipment.”