South Korea Ministry of Employment and Labor to inspect 1,000 workplaces

South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has announced a large-scale, unannounced safety inspection targeting 1,000 workplaces nationwide from October 6 to October 16. The initiative aims to prevent industrial accidents such as falls and crushing, which have resulted in significant fatalities. In the first half of this year, 84 deaths were attributed to falls, while 34 deaths were caused by equipment overturning or crushing.

The inspections will focus on the ‘3+1 basic safety rules’: the provision and use of safety helmets, the use of safety harnesses, the wearing of seatbelts in forklifts and excavators, and adherence to safety protocols when using mobile ladders. Inspectors will not only check for the presence of protective equipment but will also verify whether employers are actively managing its use and whether workers are actually wearing it during hazardous tasks.

A voluntary inspection period will run from September 28 to October 2, allowing businesses to identify and rectify deficiencies independently. Following this, heads of 49 regional offices will conduct surprise inspections. Violations will result in fines and corrective orders, with failure to comply leading to judicial action. Minister Kim Young-hoon emphasized that following these basic safety rules is a shared obligation to protect workers' lives.