If three or more deaths occur in an industrial accident, a fine of up to 5% of operating profit is imposed... Amendment to the Sanctions Act passed by the National Assembly

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Ok Seong-gu = The amendment to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which allows for the imposition of a fine of up to 5% of operating profits on companies that cause industrial accidents resulting in the death of three or more people per year, passed the National Assembly on the 1st.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the core of this amendment is to impose a fine of up to 5% of operating profits on the company if an industrial accident occurs in which three or more workers die within a year due to the employer's violation of safety and health measures.

The collected fines are transferred to the industrial accident insurance fund and used for industrial accident prevention projects.

An official from the Ministry of Labor explained, "The purpose is not to simply strengthen sanctions against companies, but to promote accident prevention. By imposing fines depending on the size of the company and violations, etc., we will encourage companies to expand their investment in the lives and safety of workers."

The amendment also includes a provision that allows the Minister of Labor to request cancellation of registration through the relevant ministries for construction companies that have repeatedly experienced serious accidents, such as fatal accidents.

If a construction company that has been suspended from business more than twice in three years due to a violation of safety and health measures under the Industrial Safety Act, resulting in the death of two or more people at the same time, is subject to business suspension again, the Minister of Labor can request cancellation of registration.

The scope of on-site work stoppages will also be greatly expanded.

Workers, their representatives, and honorary industrial safety inspectors may request the employer to suspend work when there is an imminent risk or concern that an industrial accident will occur. Subcontracted workers also have the right to request work stoppage directly from the main contractor.

Workers will be able to stop work and evacuate not only when there is an imminent risk of industrial accidents, but also in situations of concern.

The requirements for a work stoppage order from the Minister of Labor are also expanded to include not only serious accidents, but also cases where a worker is injured in an accident and is unconscious or is not sure whether he or she is alive or dead.

A system will also be introduced to pay reporting rewards to those who report workplaces that violate the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

In addition, a legal basis was established for the establishment of a 'Safe Workplace Committee' in which labor, management, and government participate to promote and deliberate on major industrial safety and health policies.

The amendment will take effect six months after its promulgation.

Minister of Labor Kim Young-hoon emphasized, "Everyone who works has the right to work safely," and "It is the government's most basic and important responsibility to prevent people from getting hurt or dying in the workplace where they go out to survive."