In preparation for the implementation of the Serious Disasters Punishment Act(SDPA),
the Ministry of Employment and Labor held a meeting with major public institutions where industrial accidents and deaths frequently occur.
ㅇ Called for thorough preparation for the SDPA, including the establishment of a safety and health
management system
ㅇ Urged ordering and implementing businesses to take responsibility for safety management
□ Minister of Employment and Labor An, Kyung-duk held a meeting on Tuesday, January 11, with major
public institutions including the Korea Rural Community Corporation, Korea Expressway Corporation, Korea
Railroad Corporation and KT.
ㅇThis meeting was aimed at encouraging major public institutions where industrial accidents and deaths
have frequently occurred to play a leading role in preventing serious accidents. This meeting took place
after earlier meetings with KEPCO on the 16th and Korea National Railroad on the 26th.
ㅇIn particular, a number of accidents have recently occurred in public institutions ahead of the
implementation of the SDPA on January 27, 2022, based on the grave recognition.
□ Over the past five years, there were a total of 209 casualties* stemming from industrial accidents, with 35
deaths in 2021.
*Based on the number of fatal accidents in the respective years that were deemed to be accidents on the
job by labor inspectors
ㅇ There have been 53 deaths due to industrial accidents at companies ordering and carrying out projects
over the past five years, with 11 in 2021 alone. This accounts for 25% of the overall death toll from industrial accidents.
ㅇFurthermore, over the past five years more than 60% of industrial accident deaths during the
implementation of projects at the three major telecommunications companies(KT, SKT, and LG) have
occurred at KT.
□ During the meeting, participants shared progress on measures including the establishment of a safety
and health management system in preparation for the SAPA, along with measures to prevent major
accidents and the recurrence of accidents in relation to projects carried out by each institution.
ㅇParticipants agreed to take the initiative in preventing serious accidents in line with the purpose of the
SAPA, and stated they felt a deep sense of responsibility for the seriousness of accidents that have occurred
at public institutions in recent times.
ㅇThe Ministry of Employment and Labor asked participants to do their best in safety management
so that similar accidents do not take place.
□ Director General Kim Gyu-seok from Industrial Accident Prevention stressed, “Immediately before the
implementation of the SAPA, it is now more important than ever that public institutions set a good example
as the public has high expectations for safe work places.”
ㅇ “Companies must remain dedicated to the safe management of projects they have ordered or are
carrying out by learning lessons from past accidents,” he added.