The Labor Department will conduct focused safety inspections at 1,000 manufacturing sites that use forklifts, cranes, and conveyors. Immediate fines will be imposed for any legal violations, and judicial action will be taken if corrective measures are not implemented.
Starting from September 7 to 11, the Ministry of Employment and Labor will inspect workplaces that are major contributors to serious accidents in the manufacturing sector, specifically those using forklifts, cranes, and conveyors.
In the first half of this year, the number of fatalities from workplace accidents investigated decreased by 34 (11.8%) compared to the same period last year, marking the lowest figure since statistics began being compiled. However, incidents involving entrapment, falls, and collisions continue to occur in manufacturing settings where high-risk machinery is used.
Among the 92 fatalities in the manufacturing sector during the first half of the year, 23 (25%) were related to accidents involving forklifts, cranes, and conveyors. Specifically, there were 12 deaths from forklifts, 7 from cranes, and 4 from conveyors, indicating that one in four manufacturing fatalities is linked to these machines.
In response, the government plans to focus on inspecting related risk factors to prevent accidents. A self-inspection period will be held from August 31 to September 4, during which businesses are expected to use the inspection checklist provided by the Labor Department to identify risks and improve safety measures.
The focused inspections will assess risks associated with collisions, entrapment, and falls during forklift operations, as well as driver qualifications, seatbelt use, and the separation of worker and vehicle pathways. For cranes, checks will include overload protection, safety devices, and emergency stop functionality, along with the presence of a weight handling plan and a designated supervisor. Conveyor inspections will focus on safety covers, emergency stop devices, and ensuring power is turned off and locked out before maintenance or cleaning.
The inspections will be conducted as unannounced visits by the heads of 49 local offices nationwide. The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency will also verify safety measures during patrol inspections and technical guidance.
If any legal violations are found, fines will be imposed, and corrective actions will be immediately enforced. Businesses that fail to comply with corrective orders will face judicial action. The Labor Department will also enhance ongoing inspections by deploying safety monitors to prevent forklift accidents.
Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon stated, "High-risk machinery is commonly used in industrial settings, but neglecting basic safety measures can lead to serious accidents. I urge businesses to identify risks during the self-inspection period and make immediate improvements."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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