The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and police are conducting searches and seizures in connection with the "SK Energy Ulsan plant fire and explosion accident" that occurred on the 17th.
According to the ministry on the 30th, the Busan Regional Employment and Labor Office and the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency deployed about 40 labor inspectors and police officers this morning and are carrying out searches and seizures at SK Energy's headquarters and other locations.
At about 10:42 a.m. on the 17th, a pipeline exploded at SK Energy's FCC2 plant. The accident is presumed to have occurred when hydrogen gas remaining inside a pipe ignited during regular maintenance of the plant's hydrogen production process, causing the pipe to explode. Two people were killed and four were injured in the accident.
The Busan labor office and the Ulsan police agency plan to secure contract-related documents and accident history materials from the headquarters of the prime contractor and subcontractors, and closely examine whether the safety measures necessary to prevent explosions were implemented.
The Busan labor office said it will thoroughly identify the structural causes that led to a major accident such as an explosion during maintenance at a chemical plant based on the evidence secured through this search and seizure, and will strictly hold those responsible to account if violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act or the Serious Accidents Punishment Act are found.
The ministry is currently providing technical support to chemical companies with fewer than 300 employees and offering on-site consulting during regular maintenance at chemical plants to prevent fire and explosion accidents. Going forward, if a major fatal accident such as a fire or explosion occurs due to failure to comply with minimum safety rules, or if the same type of accident occurs repeatedly, the ministry plans to actively use compulsory investigations such as searches and seizures and arrests to promptly determine whether employers violated the law.