Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.15269/JKSOEH.2021.31.1.83

Comparison and Improvement of Domestic and Foreign Regulations for the Prevention of Suffocation Accidents  

Lim, Dae Sung (Hansung Health and Safety Technology Co., Ltd.)
Lee, Seung kil (Department of Environment and Public Health, Jangan University)
Kim, Chi-Nyon (The Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University college of Medicine)
Cho, Kee Hong (Industrial Health and Work Environment Research Institute, KIHA)
Yi, Gwang Yong (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, KOSHA)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene / v.31, no.1, 2021 , pp. 83-93 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: 'Confined space' was only defined in the Safety and Health Regulations as a place where oxygen deficiency and hydrogen sulfide must be dealt with at the time of the initial enactment (1982). The danger of fire and explosion were added in 2003. We will compare and review the regulations related to confined space work under the current safety and health rules alongside regulations in other countries and prepare a plan to improve the system through enhanced clarity and execution. Methods: In a comparison of systems for the prevention of suffocation in confined spaces in major countries (Germany, United States, Japan) different concepts of the definition of confined spaces in different countries apparently due to differences in each country's legal implementation system, accident analysis methods, the status of safety and health implementation in workplaces, the precautions against actual confined space work, and the definition of confined spaces were found to be not much different between Korea and the other foreign countries. Results: In the case of Germany and the United States, a confined space is defined as a contextual concept rather than a place, so more careful attention is needed from operators or enclosed space managers as it is often necessary to judge the actual workplace. In the case of Korea and Japan, the interior of the place is mainly defined as a place, especially in the case of Japan, which concentrates on oxygen deficiency and hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Conclusions: For measures to improve regulations on the prevention of suffocation accidents in Korea, I would like to propose three major measures to improve the system in the rules on domestic industrial safety and health standards. It is necessary to prepare and provide a guide to ensure that the 18 types of confined spaces currently defined as confined spaces are clearly understood by field management supervisors or workers.
Keywords
confined space; safety and health rules; suffocation accident;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Prevention through design : Eliminating confined spaces and minimizing hazards, 2018
2 American Conference of Goverment Industrial Hygiests (ACGIH). TLVs and BEIs, appendix F, 2019
3 Choi Y. Choi H. Accidents prevention in a closed space using IoT technology. J Korean Soc Info Com, 2018; 22(9):1159-1164 https://doi.org/10.6109/jkiice.2018.22.9.1159   DOI
4 DGUV Regel 113-004. Vessels, silos and confined spaces part 1: Work in vessels, silos and confined spaces. 2020.
5 Ham SH. a Study on the utilization of advanced technology to prevent accidents in closed spaces. Korea Institute for Industrial Safety and Health, 2018
6 Lee JH. Dissecting invisible hazards, confined spaces, suffocation disasters, Danbi News, 18 Oct. 2020 availble from: http://www.danbinews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=13672
7 Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL). Rules on industrial safety and health standards. Ministry of Employment and Labor Decree No. 251, 2019
8 Oakland University (OU). Confined space entry training guide, Revised March, 2005
9 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MoHLW). Regulations for preventing oxygen deficiency, etc, Ministry of Labor Ordinance No, 42, 2020. availble from: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/web/t_doc?dataId=74105000&dataType=0&pageNo=1
10 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Permit-required confined spaces 2004. available from : https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3138.pdf
11 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Regulations (Standards - 29 1910 CFR) 2020. available from: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910
12 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Regulations (Standards - 29 1926 CFR) 2020. available from: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926
13 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Regulations (Standards - 29 1915 CFR) 2020. available from: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915
14 Yoon JD. German industrial safety and health overview. Korea Labor Health Research Institute 2018.