As of the third quarter of this year, the number of workers who died from occupational accidents has decreased by nearly 20% compared to the same period last year, marking the lowest figure since statistics began being compiled. While fatalities in the construction and other sectors saw significant declines, deaths in manufacturing increased due to major accidents.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's '2026 Third Quarter Occupational Accident Statistics,' the number of fatalities from accidents subject to investigation from January to September this year was 366, down 91 (19.9%) from 457 during the same period last year. The number of fatal accidents also decreased from 440 to 342, a reduction of 98 (22.3%).
The 366 fatalities represent the lowest cumulative figure for the third quarter since the compilation of related statistics began in 2022. Notably, the decline in fatalities has been accelerating as the year progresses compared to the previous year.
By industry, the decrease in construction was particularly pronounced. Fatalities in construction dropped from 210 last year to 150 this year, a decrease of 60 (28.6%). Other sectors also saw a reduction from 128 to 84, a drop of 44 (34.4%). In contrast, manufacturing fatalities rose from 119 to 132, an increase of 13 (10.9%), largely influenced by major accidents at companies like Hanwha Aerospace.
Fatalities also decreased across different workplace sizes. In workplaces with fewer than 50 employees and construction sites with contracts under 5 billion won, fatalities totaled 223, down 52 (18.9%) from the previous year. In larger workplaces and construction sites with contracts over 5 billion won, 143 fatalities were recorded, a decrease of 39 (21.4%). This indicates that the trend of declining fatalities, which was previously observed mainly in smaller workplaces, has now expanded to all workplace sizes.
In terms of accident types, deaths from falls decreased significantly from 199 last year to 124 this year, a reduction of 75 (37.7%). Fatalities from being struck by objects also fell from 56 to 35, a decrease of 37.5%, while deaths from suffocation and poisoning dropped from 16 to 10. However, fatalities from fires and explosions (38), collapses and overturns (41), and entrapments (40) increased.
The government believes that the comprehensive workplace safety measures announced in September last year and the focus on preventive activities have yielded some positive results. Ryu Hyun-cheol, head of the Ministry of Employment and Labor's Industrial Safety and Health Agency, stated, "Since the announcement of the comprehensive workplace safety measures in September last year, we have implemented various follow-up actions to enhance operational effectiveness on-site," highlighting key measures such as risk assessments, strengthening the right to stop work, and inspections of workplaces with repeated serious accidents.
In response to concerns that the decline in fatalities may be linked to a decrease in construction activity, Ryu clarified that the relationship between economic conditions and occupational fatalities is complex. He noted, "While the number of construction workers has decreased by 4-5%, the number of construction sites has actually increased," emphasizing that the effects of policy measures have surpassed economic fluctuations.
The Ministry is enhancing preventive activities in smaller workplaces by deploying 1,000 experts as 'Workplace Safety Guardians.' They are also expanding a system to identify and inspect high-risk job sites, such as roofing, logging, and solar panel installation, in collaboration with local governments.
To maintain the downward trend in fatalities through the end of the year, the government plans to strengthen oversight of companies with repeated serious accidents and high-risk workplaces. This year, 14.3 billion won has been allocated to support tailored disaster prevention projects by local governments.
Ryu emphasized, "Despite the decrease in fatalities, we still have a long way to go," and stressed the importance of establishing the trend of reduced fatalities as a structural change rather than a temporary achievement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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