Construction Sites Attributable to 4 out of 10 Fatal Occupational Injuries

KOSHA-CAK launch collaborative projects to reduce accidents

October 11 2010

According to statistics of worksites in 2010, four out of 10 fatal occupational injuries occurred in construction sites.

In 2010, fatal injuries at work claimed the lives of 1,383 workers in Korea. The construction industry recorded the highest fatality among other industry, accounting for 556 (40%) deaths.

Fatal injuries at work in 2010                                                                                                                 (unit: fatality)

The types of injuries that led to fatalities in construction are: falls, which accounted for the highest number, followed by cave-ins, being struck by falling and flying objects, collisions, crushes, and so on.

Fatal injuries by injury types in construction, 2010                                                                     (unit: fatality)

In the first half of 2011, 295 construction workers lost their lives at work, an increase of 26 fatalities (9.7%) year on year (269 fatalities). Compared to other industries, construction industry has the highest fatality.

Against the backdrop, KOSHA joined hands with Construction Association of Korea (CAK) through an MOU to collaborate on activities aimed at reducing accidents in construction industry.

<MOU on the prevention of accidents in the construction industry>

- Date: October 11, 2011 (Tue.), 11:00-11:55 a.m.

- Venue: 3 fl. Construction Association of Korea, 71-2 Nonhyun-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

- Participants: President Baek, Hun-Ki of KOSHA, Chairman Choi, Sam-Kyun of CAK, etc.

Through the MOU, KOSHA will provide statistical information on construction accidents, while facilitating the development and distribution of technical materials. The CAK will use the provided information and materials to carry out accident prevention activities and more than 7,000 worksites that are members to the CAK will benefit from the collaboration.

Furthermore, KOSHA will provide safety and health training to construction firms, and assist the members of CAK to introduce advanced safety and health techniques. In addition, KOSHA and CAK will jointly develop technical information and materials aimed at accident prevention at work.

For the prevention of accidents in construction industry, KOSHA has signed MOUs with 14 related bodies including eight organizations dedicated to construction and six public construction clients. The MOUs facilitate various prevention activities ranging from joint safety and health inspections, the provision of training, and the development and distribution of technical materials.

“The MOU with CAK, a central body in the construction industry, is very meaningful, as we work to ensure the safety of construction workers. KOSHA will provide every possible support toward CAK so that prevention culture is wide-spread in the industry,” said President Baek, Hun-Ki of KOSHA.