Accidents in small-scale industries like retail and agriculture are not coincidental. Many of these businesses have fewer than five employees, making it difficult to implement safety measures. Small construction sites, often focused on daily revenue, lack the resources for professional safety managers. As a result, accidents such as falls and entrapments in projects under 500 million Korean won (US$340,000) occur repeatedly and are often dismissed as unavoidable.
The government's policies remain focused on large corporations and major sites, imposing uniform penalties regardless of business size, even though small businesses struggle to meet the same safety requirements. A survey found that implementing safety recommendations costs small businesses an average of 60 million won. The law applies uniformly, yet small businesses lack the time and resources for compliance.
Insufficient oversight exacerbates the issue. With 1,000 safety inspectors managing 3 million workplaces nationwide, effective supervision is impossible. Accidents frequently occur in areas beyond inspectors' reach, predominantly affecting small sites. Although the government plans to increase inspectors by next year, this alone is inadequate. A complete overhaul of the inspection system is necessary for meaningful change.
To make safety policies effective, the government must provide tailored support reflecting the realities of small businesses. This includes significantly reducing safety management costs through direct public funding. Regular assistance with safety equipment and process improvements should be institutionalized to alleviate initial burdens on small sites.
Additionally, a localized inspection and education system for businesses with fewer than five employees and small construction sites is essential. Regular visits and support teams should offer practical advice on-site. Developing simple, industry-specific safety and health management models as 'standard manuals for small businesses' is also crucial.
Industrial accidents are not just statistics; they affect individuals and families. Accidents in small businesses occur in environments lacking even basic protections, making their impact more tragic. We repeatedly question why fatalities persist, but the answer is clear: the most vulnerable remain neglected. Policies to reduce workplace deaths should focus on building a supportive safety net from the ground up, rather than imposing top-down regulations. Ignoring the risks faced by small businesses must end, as this may be the last chance to prevent recurring tragedies.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI.
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