The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on October 30 that the Busan Regional Employment and Labor Office and the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency are conducting a search and seizure in connection with the explosion at SK Energy in Ulsan. Previously, on October 17, an explosion at SK Energy in Nam-gu, Ulsan, resulted in the deaths of two workers and injuries to four others.
The Ministry stated that approximately 40 labor inspectors and police officers have been deployed for this search and seizure. In addition, they plan to secure contract-related documents and records of previous incidents from both the primary contractor and subcontractors, and to closely examine whether the necessary safety measures to prevent explosions were properly implemented.
The Busan Regional Employment and Labor Office will thoroughly investigate the structural causes behind the occurrence of major accidents, such as explosions, during maintenance work at chemical plants, using the evidence obtained from this search and seizure. If violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act or the Serious Accidents Punishment Act are found, they plan to hold those responsible strictly accountable.
The Ministry emphasized, "If major fatal accidents such as fires or explosions occur due to failure to comply with even the minimum safety regulations, or if similar types of accidents are repeatedly occurring, we will actively utilize compulsory investigations such as search and seizure and arrests to promptly uncover any violations of the law by business owners."
Meanwhile, separately from the investigation into serious accidents, the Ministry is also providing technical support to chemical companies with fewer than 300 employees and offering on-site consulting during regular maintenance work at chemical plants to prevent fire and explosion accidents.
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