KCCI "Expansion of Comprehensive Serious Accident Response Centers Nationwide"

Installed in 9 Regional Korea Employers Federation Offices Nationwide

The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) is expanding its dedicated organization nationwide to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in complying with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

On the 4th, KEF announced that it will expand the 'Comprehensive Serious Accident Response Center,' established last March, to a nationwide scale. KEF explained, "Judicial risks for small-scale businesses are becoming a reality, as evidenced by the first prosecution under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act for workplaces with fewer than 50 employees on the 12th of last month," adding, "We decided to increase the number of centers to support safety activities that can be felt on the ground."

Regional centers will be established at local KEF branches including Busan KEF, Incheon KEF, Gwangju KEF, Ulsan Yangsan KEF, Gyeonggi KEF, Jeonbuk KEF, Gyeongbuk KEF, Gyeongnam KEF, and Gyeongbuk Dongbu Gyeonghyeop.

Through these regional centers, in addition to the joint safety manager appointment project conducted in collaboration with the government and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, they plan to carry out ▲ legal consultations including compliance with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act ▲ provision of safety and health materials such as safety management manuals and guides ▲ operation of serious accident prevention training courses for business owners ▲ promotion of win-win safety and health cooperation activities between large and small businesses ▲ linkage support with government industrial accident prevention projects such as consulting, education, and diagnosis.

Furthermore, the regional centers will create forums in cooperation with related organizations by region to support SME business owners who are interested in serious accident prevention but lack information.

Im Woo-taek, head of KEF’s Comprehensive Serious Accident Response Center, stated, "To reduce fatal accidents in SMEs, economic organizations must continue to play a leading and proactive role as key agents in industrial accident prevention," adding, "The regional centers will focus on field-oriented safety management support tailored to the characteristics of industries in each region."