Ministry of Employment and Labor Conducts Inspection of Taean Power Plant Fatal Accident and Provides Trauma Treatment Support

Investigation to Determine the Cause and Take Legal Action for Violations

Following a fatal accident at the Taean Thermal Power Plant operated by Korea Western Power on June 2, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has announced that it will conduct on-site inspections, provide trauma treatment support, and carry out a thorough investigation.

On June 5, the Ministry stated that it would conduct an inspection equivalent to a special supervision at the Taean Power Plant after the death of Kim Chunghyun, a 50-year-old subcontracted worker, who was fatally caught in machinery. The Ministry will oversee the overall safety and health management at the Taean Power Plant, and if any violations are found, it will take strict measures such as legal action and the imposition of fines.

Korea Western Power has ordered Korea Plant Service & Engineering (KPS), which is responsible for maintenance subcontracting at the Taean Power Plant, to conduct a safety and health diagnosis. Based on the results, KPS has been instructed to establish and implement a preemptive safety and health plan. Kim was a non-regular employee of a subcontractor for KPS. In addition, other workers who witnessed the accident will be provided with psychological recovery and trauma treatment support through linkage with worker health centers and similar services.

The government will also conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident through a joint inspection with related ministries, and investigate whether there were any work instructions or safety device installations provided to the victim. The government has stated that it will take strict action in the event of any legal violations.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "Immediately after the serious accident occurred, we issued a work suspension order for all operations within the building where the accident took place," and added, "We have also recommended that other companies employing the accident witnesses do not resume work during the psychological recovery period." The Ministry continued, "We have also launched an investigation into the serious accident to determine the cause."

A similar accident occurred at the Taean Power Plant six years prior to Kim's accident. On December 11, 2018, Kim Yonggyun, a young non-regular worker, was found dead after being caught in equipment conveyors.