Reasons for Proposal
With the purpose of maintaining and improving the safety and health of workers by preventing industrial accidents and establishing a comfortable work environment, the current Act imposes obligations on the employer to comply with standards designed to prevent industrial accidents.
As a large fire, which is similar to the 2008 Icheon cold storage warehouse fire, broke out again at a distribution warehouse in Icheon, some argue that more needs to be done to prevent any recurrence of similar incidents in the future.
In this regard, this Act aims to ban the use of high fire risk construction materials in places at risk of fire or explosion, and require approval of safety measures for workers from the Minister of Employment and Labor when such usage is unavoidable. Prohibit the use of subcontract work involving high fire risk construction materials and obligate safety measures for contract workers.
Furthermore, this Act aims to supplement some shortcomings in punishment provisions by imposing up to 5 years in prison or up to 50 million won in fines on any person who falsely or unfairly performs a plan for preventing harm and dangers (Article 38, paragraph 3, subparagraph 5; Article 38-2; Article 58, paragraph 1, subparagraph 4; Article 76-2; Article 168 subparagraphs 3 and 4 newly inserted; Article 169 subparagraph 1).
Major Provisions
Ban the use of high fire risk construction materials in places at risk of fire or explosion, require the approval of safety measures for workers by the Minister of Employment and Labor when the use of such materials is unavoidable, prohibit the use of any subcontract work involving high fire risk construction materials, obligate safety measures for contract workers, and impose up to 5 years in prison or up to 50 million won in fines for any person who falsely or unfairly prepares and submits a plan for preventing harm and dangers (Article 38, paragraph 3, subparagraph 5; Article 38-2; Article 58, paragraph 1, subparagraph 4; Article 76-2; Article 168 subparagraphs 3 and 4 newly inserted; Article 169 subparagraph 1).
