"Confined Spaces, No Room for Complacency"... Ministry of Employment and Labor Yangsan Branch Conducts Emergency Inspection at Sewage Treatment Plant

In the wake of the recent manhole suffocation accident in Incheon, the Yangsan branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched an emergency inspection of confined workspace sites.

The Ministry is focusing on checking compliance with the three key rules for preventing suffocation accidents in confined spaces and is making every effort to prevent accidents during the summer season.

On July 15, Kwon Guyoung, head of the Yangsan branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, visited the sewage treatment plant in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, to conduct an urgent on-site inspection to prevent suffocation accidents in confined spaces.

Kwon Guyoung, head of the Yangsan branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, is visiting the sewage treatment plant in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, to conduct an urgent on-site inspection to prevent suffocation accidents in confined spaces. Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor Yangsan Branch

This inspection was prompted by the suffocation accident that occurred inside a manhole in Incheon on July 6 and is a proactive measure to prevent similar incidents within the jurisdiction.

The Yangsan branch is conducting focused inspections at workplaces with confined spaces, such as sewage treatment plants, to check compliance with the "three key rules for preventing suffocation accidents": ventilating and measuring gas concentration before work, assessing the space in advance, and wearing respiratory protective equipment.

After completing the inspection, Director Kwon emphasized, "Confined space work is a high-risk task where even minor negligence can be directly linked to life-threatening situations. In particular, it is essential to thoroughly measure oxygen and hazardous gas concentrations before starting work to ensure adequate air quality."

The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to continue intensive inspections, especially during the summer when most suffocation accidents occur. If on-site safety measures are not implemented, strict actions will be taken in accordance with relevant laws.