Last Year, 589 Industrial Accident Deaths... 1.5% Decrease Amid Construction Slump

Construction Industry Deaths Decrease by 8.9% to 276

Last year, the number of fatal accidents subject to industrial accident investigations decreased compared to the previous year, but the number of deaths increased due to major accidents.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 11th that the number of accidents subject to disaster investigations last year was 553, down 31 cases (5.3%) from the previous year. The number of related deaths decreased by 9 (1.5%) from 598 to 589 during the same period.

Due to the impact of major accidents such as the fire at the Arisel factory in Hwaseong, which caused 23 deaths, the number of fatal accidents decreased last year, but the reduction in the number of deaths was small. The construction industry downturn led to fewer work sites, reducing related deaths and affecting the overall decline in the number of deaths.

Last year, the number of deaths in the construction industry was 276, down 27 (8.9%). In contrast, manufacturing increased by 5 to 175, and other industries rose by 13 to 138. In manufacturing, fatal accidents increased in sectors with improved business conditions such as shipbuilding and repair, while in other industries, accidents increased in vulnerable sectors such as building comprehensive management.

By scale, those with fewer than 50 employees decreased by 15 to 339, while those with 50 or more employees increased by 6 to 250. By type, falls and collisions decreased, while being struck by objects, caught in machinery, and fire/explosion incidents increased.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor explained that a combination of economic conditions, government industrial accident prevention support policies, and improved safety awareness at workplaces has led to a yearly decline in fatal accidents. However, there remains a challenge to enhance safety and health capabilities, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises and vulnerable industries.

The government plans to focus its efforts this year on improving the practical effectiveness of industrial safety and health policies to reduce major accidents. It will concentrate guidance on vulnerable industries such as construction and shipbuilding and on high-risk workplaces.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "We will discover excellent safety and health cases, including risk assessments, and disseminate and expand them to similar industry workplaces," adding, "We will also expand and support consulting for building safety and health management systems." They further added, "We will do our best to enhance the safety and health capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises."