The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will begin recruiting projects for technology development to prevent industrial accidents starting from the 22nd. The target is manufacturing SMEs with fewer than 50 regular employees.
This project is a technology development (R&D) support initiative aimed at enhancing the digital-based industrial accident prevention and response capabilities of small manufacturing corporations in accordance with the expanded application of the Serious Accident Punishment Act.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to select a total of 20 projects, providing up to 660 million won per project over two years. The support areas include the four primary sectors of industrial accident prevention, such as worker behavior-based safety accident prevention. The selection of projects will focus on technologies that have a significant impact on prevention and dissemination in small manufacturing sites.
Demonstration projects will also be conducted in manufacturing sites. Small businesses supplying industrial accident prevention equipment and solutions can apply by forming a consortium with two or more manufacturing SMEs with fewer than 50 employees. The industrial accident prevention products and solutions developed through R&D will be supported for dissemination in connection with the Ministry of Employment and Labor's "Smart Safety Equipment Distribution Project."
Park Yong-soon, Director of Technology Innovation Policy, noted, "It is urgent to develop and distribute industrial accident prevention products and solutions for SMEs with fewer than 50 employees, where 80% of fatal accidents occur in manufacturing sites," and added, "We will strive to promote the development of digital-based prevention technologies that can reduce industrial accidents and contribute to enhancing the capabilities of developing corporations."
Consortia wishing to participate in the project can apply online through the Integrated Research Support System for All Ministries by the 22nd of next month (Friday). Detailed announcement contents and application procedures can also be checked on the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Integrated Management System for Small Business Technology Development Projects.