1 Out of 4 New Construction Sites in Gyeonggi Province Found Storing Unauthorized Hazardous Materials...Safety Negligence

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] One out of every four new construction sites in Gyeonggi Province was found to be storing unauthorized hazardous materials or failing to install temporary fire safety facilities during welding operations, indicating non-compliance with safety regulations.

The Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters announced on the 23rd that following a crackdown on illegal activities at 193 new construction sites in the Gyeonggi region on the 19th, it identified 45 deficient sites (23%) and took a total of 60 measures including 2 criminal referrals, 29 administrative fines, and 28 corrective orders.

Key violations included a new construction site A in the province that was storing and handling epoxy thinner for floor waterproofing (Class 4 Group 1 petroleum product) at 3.2 times the designated quantity (200 liters), resulting in criminal referral.

Additionally, construction site B failed to install temporary fire safety facilities such as emergency alarm devices at the welding work area, and site C failed to install portable fire extinguishers on all floors of the construction site, resulting in administrative fines.

There were also construction sites that failed to assign fire watchers during welding operations.

Under the current Hazardous Materials Safety Management Act, those storing or handling hazardous materials in quantities exceeding the designated amount face imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to 30 million won.

Furthermore, the Fire Safety Facilities Act stipulates that those who fail to install, maintain, or manage temporary fire safety facilities face administrative fines of up to 3 million won.

The Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters previously mobilized 193 teams and 506 personnel on the day to conduct intensive crackdowns on ▲installation and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers and evacuation guide lines and other temporary fire safety facilities ▲obstruction of evacuation routes ▲unauthorized handling of hazardous materials.

Choi Byung-il, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters, stated, “To prevent large-scale fires at major construction sites, we will continue continuous monitoring at 256 construction sites going forward,” and added, “We will strictly punish fire safety violations that threaten the safety of residents, and we urge construction managers to take greater responsibility for fire prevention and pay closer attention to safety management.”