Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon conducted an unannounced inspection of a construction site in Busan on October 16, assessing safety measures against potential collapse and burial accidents.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Minister Kim visited the site of a new veterinary hospital at a university in Nam-gu, Busan, around 3 p.m. to evaluate the safety management of excavation areas, slopes, and earth retaining structures.
This inspection was prompted by a series of recent collapse accidents at construction sites. On September 29, a worker was killed when a ceiling collapsed at an apartment construction site in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Notably, half of the construction-related fatalities from collapses last year occurred in the fourth quarter (October to December), highlighting the need for heightened vigilance against such incidents as the year-end approaches.
Construction sites face risks when construction deviates from design specifications, excessive loads are placed on the ground or slopes, or when rainwater drainage is inadequate, potentially leading to significant accidents.
The Ministry will conduct focused inspections and supervision of construction sites deemed at high risk for collapse from now until December 15.
Key inspection targets include the installation and dismantling of temporary structures, concrete pouring, demolition sites, remodeling projects involving wall and ceiling removal, and excavation and pipeline construction sites.
The Ministry plans to continuously identify high-risk sites through local employment offices and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, conducting unannounced inspections and supervision at sites with insufficient safety measures or high accident risks.
During the inspection, Minister Kim specifically checked the safety of excavation areas, slopes, and earth retaining structures, as well as the stability of crane installation grounds, drainage conditions, and the construction status of deck plates.
The inspection revealed inadequate preventive measures against slope collapse in the outer wall work area of the basement, and some excavation slopes were found to have poor drainage, leading to ground weakening and associated collapse risks.
Additionally, insufficient reinforcement of deck plates posed a risk of collapse during concrete pouring, and the earth retaining structures were found to have inadequate connections and support, raising concerns about potential collapses or burial accidents.
Risks of slope collapse and tipping due to cranes installed at the top of cut slopes were also identified. Minister Kim instructed immediate corrective actions for the identified hazards.
He emphasized, "Collapse accidents leave workers with little time to escape, so it is crucial to meticulously check and eliminate risks before work begins. We must adhere to design standards and work plans, and not overlook even minor cracks or deformations."
He added, "Safety reviews and necessary reinforcement measures must not be skipped due to construction timelines or work speed. If there is any suspicion of collapse risk, work must stop immediately, and safety must be reassessed before proceeding."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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