[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 17th that it has launched an investigation into a fatal accident at the Lotte Global Logistics distribution center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, to determine potential violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
At approximately 5:54 a.m. that day, a 60-year-old subcontracted worker, identified only as Mr. A, was killed in the incident. Mr. A was not a direct employee of Lotte Global Logistics but worked under a subcontractor. Initial findings indicate that a forklift operator failed to notice the worker walking nearby, resulting in a collision.
The Seongnam District Office’s Serious Accident Investigation Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Supervision Division immediately launched an on-site investigation, ordering a suspension of operations and other strict measures. Authorities are now probing whether violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act or the Serious Accidents Punishment Act occurred.
Under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, company owners or executives can be held criminally liable if serious workplace accidents — such as fatalities — are found to be caused by failures in ensuring mandatory safety and health measures. The law applies when: (1) at least one worker dies, (2) two or more workers suffer injuries requiring six months or longer of treatment, or (3) three or more workers contract occupational diseases, such as acute poisoning, within a year due to the same hazard.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
