Vice Minister urges Korea’s top shipbuilders to reduce workplace accidents

Vice Minister Kim Min-seok of the Ministry of Employment and Labor met with representatives of the five major shipbuilders on the 15th and urged them to reduce serious workplace accidents. Last year, 20 fatalities occurred in accidents at these shipyards.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that it held a meeting in the afternoon at the Royal Hotel Seoul, attended by the CEOs and safety officers of the five major shipbuilders. The five major shipbuilders are HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Samho, and HD Hyundai Mipo.

At the meeting, Vice Minister Kim noted, “It is necessary to closely analyze the types and causes of accidents that frequently occur in the shipbuilding industry, such as falls, fires, and explosions, and to make every effort to reduce fatalities.” He added, “Since the proportion of accidents involving subcontractors is high, it is essential to establish and thoroughly manage a system to ensure the safety and health of workers in accordance with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.”

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the shipbuilding representatives who attended the meeting expressed their commitment to faithfully implement the agreements on mutual growth, alongside expanding budgets for accident prevention and strengthening safety and health management systems, as well as improving work conditions for subcontractor employees.
Source: CHOSUNBIZ