"Half of Fatalities Are Falls"... 'Developing Country-Type Accidents' Persist at Construction Sites

Repeating Fatal Falls: 50% of Deaths in Q1 Caused by 'Falls'
POSCO, Hyundai Engineering CEOs Issue Apologies... Major Builders Launch Self-Reform Initiatives
"Culture That Prioritizes Tradition and Cost-Cutting Must Change First"

Fatal falls, often referred to as "developing country-type accidents," continue to occur frequently at construction sites, even though they can be largely prevented if safety regulations are properly followed. Joo Woojung, CEO of Hyundai Engineering, which ranks fourth in construction capability, and Jung Heemin, CEO of POSCO E&C, which ranks seventh, each issued a public apology in their own names after a series of fatal falls. As these tragedies persist, major construction companies are launching "fall accident prevention campaigns," and the government is also busy formulating countermeasures.

One out of every two fatalities is a 'fall'... Around 50% each year

The site in Gwangmyeong where one worker was buried and died due to a collapse during the construction of the Sinansan Line (left), and the site in Anseong where one worker was buried and died due to a collapse during the construction of the Sejong Ansan Line (left). Yonhap News.

According to the Construction Project Safety Management Integrated Information System of the Korea Infrastructure Safety and Technology Corporation on April 23, of the 38 construction site accident fatalities in the first quarter of this year, 19 (50%) died from "falls." This number is significantly higher than for any other type of accident. In comparison, 6 people (16%) died from being "struck by objects," and 5 people (13%) died from being "trapped," both of which are also considered among the three major types of serious accidents at construction sites. A representative fall accident during this period was the collapse of a bridge at the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway construction site in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province in February, which resulted in the deaths of four workers.

Fall accidents are repeated every year. The proportion of fatalities due to falls among all construction site deaths was 54.6% in 2022, 52% in 2023, and 51.2% last year, accounting for about half each year. In 2023, the Korea Institute of Construction Industry stated that the overwhelming number of fall accidents was "mostly due to simple mistakes by workers" and emphasized the need for "strengthened safety management for individual workers." The institute also concluded that "construction companies must create a safe working environment." However, as sites with inadequate basic safety measures continue to appear, fall accidents are also repeatedly occurring year after year.

"No more" ... Construction companies and government scramble to respond

As fall accidents continue, construction companies are taking action on their own. Recently, Samsung C&T’s construction division launched a "fall accident prevention campaign," distributing more than 300 warning signs and safety vests. The company is also systematizing pre-work safety management through short-form educational videos and a mobile inspection app. DL Construction has introduced a "real-name safety system for high-risk work" at all sites to clarify accountability, and the Chief Safety Officer (CSO) regularly inspects sites in person. Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) is expanding practical safety measures by introducing smart safety equipment based on workers’ biometric signals and implementing visualized safety signs for multinational workers.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is reintroducing a system to publicly disclose the names of construction companies where fatal accidents have repeatedly occurred. The list will include the number of fatalities, the project name, and the name of the contractor. In addition, through the "Comprehensive Measures for Preventing Fall Accidents at Construction Sites," the ministry is operating a joint public-private task force, mandating safety reviews from the design stage, implementing a real-name safety system at construction sites, and requiring management plans for small-scale sites. Sites where fall accidents occur frequently are designated as "priority management sites" by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and are subject to special supervision. Some voices are calling for the introduction of a "one-strike out" system, under which a construction company would have its registration revoked if five or more workers die in an accident.

Experts point out that, rather than focusing solely on inspections and penalties, it is essential to secure safety from the design stage, provide ongoing education for site workers, and ensure the attention of management. Choi Myungki, Vice President of the Korean Society of Construction Safety and professor at Seoul Digital University, said, "Many accidents occur because companies try to save on safety costs and time. If cost-cutting is prioritized over safety and the attitude of 'this is how we've always done it' persists, accidents will continue to happen." He added, "The government should focus on changing laws and regulations that are essential for safety from permissive 'may' clauses to mandatory 'must' clauses, rather than implementing unrealistic policies or superficial inspections."