The Korea Forest Service announced on August 19 that it had conducted a special safety inspection of landslide prevention projects currently underway in areas of Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, that were damaged by wildfires.
The inspection, carried out in cooperation with the Korea Association of Safety Technology, focused on the status of safety and health management at the worksite, whether safety measures were in place for the use of equipment such as excavators, and whether workers had access to rest facilities and were wearing protective gear.
The sites inspected are areas that suffered major wildfire damage in March and are considered at risk for secondary damage, such as landslides, in the event of heavy rainfall.
Currently, construction is underway at these sites to build retaining walls using stone and concrete, and to install check dams that reduce the slope of valley floors to allow water to flow safely.
The Korea Forest Service plans to strengthen safety inspections at forest project sites nationwide, starting with this inspection, to ensure the utmost protection of the lives and safety of forestry workers.
Kim Inho, Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, stated, "Safety is a 'non-negotiable' top priority," adding, "We will ensure strict compliance with safety rules at all forestry project sites and actively incorporate feedback from the field to create a safe working environment where workers can feel secure."
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