”Suggesting safety solutions for Korea”

Examining causes of recent major accidents and discussing preventive measures
in ‘Safety Debate Forum’ in COEX, attended by professors and experts in business

July 8, 2014

A panel discussion was held, which was meaningful to examine causes and problems and provide measures against safety accidents such as the sinking of ‘Sewol’ ferry and successive major occupational accidents.

KOSHA held a ‘Panel discussion’ under the theme of ‘measures to build systems for major accident prevention’ marking the 47^th Week of Safety and Health in COEX Conference room, Samsung-dong, Seoul, in Tuesday, July 8, 2014.

This forum was attended by prestigious scholars from domestic academia and business, in which in-depth discussion was carried out on agendas: safety level of Korea, challenges of safety system in Korea, and reform of government organization in terms of safety.

Themed presentations were made by three speakers: Professor Park Du-young, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Hansung University; Ha Haeng-bong, Director of GS Engineering & Construction (E&C); and Gwon Hyeok-myeon, Head of Ulsan Area Office, KOSHA. There was also participation of five panels: Professor Moon Il, department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University; Park In, Director of LG Chem; Shin Un-cheol, director, OSHRI, KOSHA; Professor Lee Myeong-gu, department of Environmental Health and Safety, Eulji University; and Lee Jeong-seok, President of Korea Temporary Equipment Safety Research Institute.

In the presentations, Prof. Park Du-young from Hansung University mentioned recent safety problems in Korean society such as outdated industrial facilities, the government’s deregulation, and rise of vulnerable groups to safety including temporary workers. In terms of safety measures, he said punishing economic players should be strengthened and expressed opinions on reform of safety organization in the government.

Gwon Hyeok-myeon, head of the Ulsan Area Office presented ‘preventive measures for chemical accidents’ centered on cases of accidents in chemical plants. Ha Haeng-bong, director of GS E&C made a presentation on ‘problems of safety and health by player: the government, ordering organization, partner companies and workers.

The themed presentations were  made by eight-minute speech of the each five panels and a mutual debate between  the speakers and panels.

The four-hour-long panel discussion closed after having  Q&A session with audience.