Uiseong County Acts to Prevent Manhole Suffocation Accidents with Joint Safety Inspection

Proactive Response to Confined Space Hazards Amid Heat Wave
Emphasis on Strict Adherence to "Three Major Safety Rules"

Uiseong County in North Gyeongsang Province has launched a joint safety inspection to prevent suffocation accidents inside manholes.

Conducting a safety inspection at the manhole site.

The inspection, conducted on August 21, went beyond a simple on-site check and, according to the county on August 25, reflected a strong commitment to systematically managing the risks of "invisible spaces."

Recently, confined space accidents have continued to occur nationwide, exacerbated by the ongoing heat wave. Manholes, which are narrow and difficult to ventilate, are representative high-risk zones where "invisible killers" such as oxygen deficiency and hydrogen sulfide poisoning lurk. For this reason, even a momentary lapse in attention by a worker can directly lead to casualties.

This inspection was carried out in conjunction with the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s nationwide supervision of water and sewage manholes. The on-site joint inspection team consisted of Uiseong County’s water and sewage officials, safety and health managers, and a "Manhole Work Safety Keeper" (industrial hygienist).

The team closely checked the following: ▲ measurement of oxygen and hazardous gas concentrations ▲ adequacy of ventilation ▲ use of protective equipment (air respirators and supplied-air masks) ▲ operation of safety devices.

Earlier this year, Uiseong County established a "Confined Space Work Safety Management Program," with each department developing and operating its own plan. In addition, the Industrial Accident Prevention Team conducts regular inspections, establishing a permanent safety management system rather than relying on one-time checks.

Kim Jusu, Governor of Uiseong County, emphasized, "Confined spaces may appear safe on the surface, but inside, they can become deadly traps within minutes. Protecting the lives and safety of our residents is a non-negotiable top priority for the administration."

He reiterated the need to strictly follow the "three major safety rules" when working in manholes: ▲ pre-entry space checks ▲ measurement and ventilation of gas concentrations ▲ use of protective equipment.