Journal of the Korean Society of Safety (한국안전학회지)

The Korean Society of Safety (한국안전학회)
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Identification of Problems and Improvement Measures of Fire Observer Operation in Domestic Manufacturing Industry

국내 제조업 화재감시자 운영의 문제 확인 및 개선방안

  • Kyung Min Kim (Department of Safety Engineering, Pukyong National University) ;
  • Yongyoon Suh (Department of Industrial & System Engineering, Dongguk University) ;
  • Jong Bin Lee (Department of Safety Engineering, Pukyong National University) ;
  • Seong Rok Chang (Department of Safety Engineering, Pukyong National University)
  • 김경민 (부경대학교 안전공학과) ;
  • 서용윤 (동국대학교 산업시스템공학과) ;
  • 이종빈 (부경대학교 안전공학과) ;
  • 장성록 (부경대학교 안전공학과)
  • Received : 2023.07.26
  • Accepted : 2023.12.01
  • Published : 2023.12.31
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Abstract

Sparks cause most fire and explosion accidents in the manufacturing industry during hot work, which ignites surrounding combustible materials. Such incidents lead to high casualties due to suffocation from toxic gases and lack of evacuation. Therefore, the government recently enacted and revised 'The Occupational Safety and Health Act' to prevent fires and explosions at work sites, incorporating legal standards for fire observers, which are important in preventing accidents and the spread of fire during hot work. However, there are notable shortcomings in conducting professional cause analysis of these accidents and in aligning them with advanced foreign legal standards. Additionally, there is a lack of literature review reflecting the manufacturing industry characteristics. Despite the recent enactment and revision of legal standards, gathering sufficient opinions and professional reviews remains insufficient. To address these gaps, interviews were conducted with safety and health workers, analyzing recent fire and explosion causes in domestic manufacturing industries, and reviewing both domestic and international legal standards. Conclusively, proposed improvement measures were centered on the professionalization of fire observer education, enhancing their roles and authority realistically, and improving fire observer placement and operation standards. Consequently, additional 'Occupational Safety and Health Act' standards are necessary for fire observer education and defining the government's role. Second, precise legal standards outlining the role and authority of fire observers are required. Third tailored fire observer arrangements and management standards appropriate for varying work characteristics and company sizes are required. This study emphasizes the importance of supplementing relevant legal standards to prevent fire accidents in the manufacturing industry.

Keywords

References

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