A total of 457 people died in industrial accidents through the third quarter this year. Despite the Lee Jae-myung administration's declaration of a "war on industrial accidents," the death toll rose from the same period last year.
According to the "status of fatal accidents subject to investigation in the third quarter" released by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the 25th, 457 people died in industrial accidents from January to September this year, up 14 from the same period last year (443). Looking only at the third quarter (June to September), the death toll was 167. The tally does not include the seven deaths from the "Ulsan thermal power plant collapse accident" on the 6th.
By industry, deaths in construction rose by seven to 210 from a year earlier. Other industries (128) also saw an increase of 22. However, manufacturing (119) fell by 15.
Other industries, which saw the largest increase in deaths, include wholesale and retail and agriculture, forestry and fisheries, where business sites are small and safety management is poor. Among these other industries, many fatal accidents occurred at "business sites with fewer than five employees," with an increase of 16.
Regardless of industry, the increase in deaths was notable at small business sites. Business sites with 50 or more employees (construction sites worth 5 billion won or more) saw 182 deaths, down 12 from last year, but those with fewer than 50 employees (less than 5 billion won) recorded 275, up 26.
By type, deaths from falls and collapses increased, while those from entrapment or fires and explosions decreased.
These statistics are effectively the first industrial accident scorecard released under the Lee Jae-myung administration, which has emphasized reducing industrial accidents. Ryu, head of the ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters, said, "Regrettably, the number of deaths increased from last year," and noted, "Rather than being swayed by short-term changes in industrial accident indicators, I hope people will look at the long-term trend."
Deputy Minister Ryu said, "In construction, ultra-small construction business sites worth less than 500 million won, and in other industries, small business sites with fewer than five employees, are showing a considerably large increase in industrial accident deaths," and added, "For small business sites that lack safety and health capacity, the government or local governments will look for ways to support and assist."