□ KOSHA runs『KOSHA Hot-line for Chemicals information』to cope with occupational health problems arising from chemicals used in workplaces.

□ Early this year, a series of accident occurred in small-sized workplaces handling chemicals. The accidents made victimized workers be blinded due to addiction to Methyl alcohol.

o The main cause of accident occurrence is the lack of awareness and information on hazardous chemicals. In particular, workers in small-sized workplace and vulnerable workers such as female, migrant and sub-contracted workers are exposed to the risks.

□ To prevent chemical-induced accident, Ministry of Employment and Labor and KOSHA newly established dedicated hot-line (1644-8595) to provide information of chemicals used in workplace, technical guidance, and counseling on workers' health.

o For those who need counseling on chemicals, the system will put the person through to relevant regional or area office and then customized-support according to the counseling will be provided.

o When the necessity of provision of chemicals information or working environmental monitoring arises, KOSHA would provide customized-technical guidance such as provision of MSDS*, measurement and assessment of working environment and so on.

* MSDS : Material Safety Data Sheet

o If necessary, for those who are suspected to have occupational diseases or required to have medical counseling, KOSHA and relevant workers' health centers will work together for improving health condition of workers.

□ In addition, KOSHA will print ad posters about the system for system settlement. Staff of KOSHA and professional accident prevention agencies will visit 100,000 workplaces to distribute the posters in person.

□ KOSHA expects the system would be of help for OSH policy establishment by providing customized-information on the hazardous factors of chemicals to employers as well as employees.

□ President Lee Young-Soon of KOSHA mentioned "we hope the system would help in protecting workers' health with the provision of chemicals information."