Over 1,300 Officials from Land Ministry and Public Institutions Join Spring Thaw Construction Site Safety Inspections

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will conduct inspections from February 25 to April 8 to prevent safety accidents at construction sites during the spring thaw period.

A total of 12 organizations, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, regional land management offices, public institutions under its umbrella such as Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), and private-sector experts, will participate, with more than 1,300 people involved. Around 2,900 sites nationwide will be inspected. Taking into account the characteristics of the thawing season, such as weakened bearing capacity caused by frozen ground melting, the inspections will focus on possible collapses of excavation faces and temporary earth-retaining structures (support structures).

The ministry will also check for deformation of supports in temporary structures such as scaffolding (temporary work platforms) and formwork supports (temporary props), overturning of construction machinery such as concrete pumps due to ground weakening, and reductions in the strength of completed concrete structures. High-risk work types will be inspected together with external experts, and joint inspections with the Ministry of Employment and Labor are also planned.

For other sites operated by construction companies that had fatal accidents in the fourth quarter of last year, as well as for sites ordered by public institutions, the government will carry out additional random, unannounced inspections. If violations are detected, it plans to take action in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, including penalty points or fines.