Basic Industrial Safety

Why Should You Know the Industrial Safety and Health Act?

Everyone working in a manufacturing site is protected by the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA). This law has been amended many times since its enactment in 1981, and has helped reduce accidents in Korean industrial sites. Even if you're new, there are four key points you must know within your first week of employment.

1. Workers' Four Major Rights

• Right to Know: The right to know about chemicals used in the workplace, hazardous machinery, and accident statistics. The company must post MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and results of workplace environment measurements.
• Right to Participate: The right to voice opinions through the Industrial Safety and Health Committee and labor-management consultation meetings. Companies with 50 or more employees must hold these meetings once per quarter.
• Right to Refuse: The right to refuse work when there is an immediate danger. You will not face any disadvantages for doing so (Article 52 of the ISHA).
• Right to Health Checkups: The right to receive general health checkups (once per year) and special health checkups (every 6 months to 1 year when exposed to noise, dust, or organic solvents) at the company's expense.

2. Workers' Obligations

You are not only entitled to rights, but also have the following obligations:

• Complete safety and health training (8 hours upon hiring, 2 hours of monthly regular training)
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Follow work procedures during hazardous tasks
• Immediately report accidents or near misses

3. Employer's Duty to Ensure Safety

A company is not only required to pay wages, but also has the duty to provide a safe working environment (Article 655 of the Civil Code + Article 5 of the ISHA). If this duty is violated and an accident occurs:

• Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance covers the worker's medical expenses and compensation for time off work
• The employer may face criminal penalties (after the implementation of the Major Industrial Accident Penalty Act, imprisonment of more than one year for fatal accidents)
• Safety management costs must be separately allocated (1.5 to 2.5% of the construction cost)

4. Reporting Procedure in Case of Industrial Accident

[Accident Occurs]
   ↓
Immediately call 119 and notify the internal safety manager
   ↓
If work stoppage lasts 3 days or more → the company must submit the Industrial Accident Investigation Report to the Ministry of Employment and Labor within one month
   ↓
In case of death or major accident → mandatory report to the local labor office within 24 hours
   ↓
Submit an industrial accident claim to the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (directly by the worker)

Definition of Major Industrial Accident (Article 3 of the ISHA Enforcement Decree):

• 1 or more fatalities
• 2 or more workers with injuries requiring care for 3 months or more
• 10 or more workers with occupational diseases at the same time

5. New Employee First Week Checklist

• Complete 8 hours of safety and health training upon hiring (keep the certificate)
• Confirm the location of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and AEDs in the workplace
• Note down the name and contact information of the responsible safety manager
• Measure and receive the appropriate size of PPE
• Locate the internal industrial accident reporting form