Scientific research into the causes of serious industrial accidents

KOSHA and the National Forensic Service (NFS) signed an MOU for partnership

to scientifically indentify the causes of serious industrial accidents such as fires, explosion, and leaks

 Dec. 5 2013

There will be a more clear and rigorous investigation into the causes of serious occupational accidents such as collapse of buildings or leaks and explosion at chemical plants.

KOSHA (headed by President Baek Hun-ki) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Dec. 5 with the National Forensic Service (NFS) at NFS headquarters in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, to cooperate to identify and research the causes of industrial accidents.

This agreement is designed to establish a coordination system to respond to serious industrial accidents such as fires, explosion, leaks, and collapse of industrial sites, following a series of such accidents last year.

Statistics show that the number of victims of industrial accidents such as fires, explosion, leaks, and collapse of industrial sites recorded 1,846 last year, an increase of 63 on a year on year basis. In particular, the death toll increased by 5.

The number of fire victims increased the most by 64 while that of explosion victims and leaks victims rose by 18 and 59 respectively. By contrast, the number of cave-in victims decreased by 78.

* The number of fires, explosion, leaks, and cave-in victims over the past 5 years (Death toll)

In response to this, KOSHA signed the deal with the NFS to clearly identify the causes of serious occupational accidents such as fires, explosion, leaks, and cave-ins through technical support and information sharing and to utilize the knowledge in drawing up measures to prevent industrial disasters.

Such serious industrial accidents to be jointly investigated include: fires, explosion, and leaks that involve harmful and hazardous substances; collapse and explosion of machinery structures such as tower cranes and pressure vessels; collapse and cave-ins of building s or bridges; electrical fires and electric shocks; and occupational diseases, suffocation, and poisoning.

The agreement enables KOSHA and the NFS to scientifically identify the causes of serious industrial accidents by cooperating in conducting toxicity research on harmful and hazardous substances, supporting examination and analysis, jointly utilizing facilities for examination and research, and sharing technology and information.

Meanwhile, KOSHA is making various efforts to prevent fires, explosion and leaks at chemical plants. KOSHA newly established a task force dedicated to preventing chemical accidents earlier this year, and launched Investigation Committee on Chemical Accidents with outside experts. KOSHA has also signed MOUs with 5 academic societies in Korea including the Korean Society of Safety to come up with more systematic prevention measures, and held meeting with management and front-line workers.