Labor ministry starts forklift-fall inspection in Gimpo

The labor ministry said Tuesday it had begun a targeted, joint safety and labor inspection at a food-materials company in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, after a worker fell 5 meters while working atop a forklift.

The fall was reported July 30. A company employee filed a police complaint alleging that the owner shook the forklift, sending the worker 5 meters down.

Citing the seriousness of the case, the ministry said inspectors will examine whether the company breached safety and health regulations, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and labor-related laws.

The ministry said it would seek immediate judicial action and impose administrative fines for major violations. If it finds structural shortcomings in safety management or an unreasonable organizational culture, it will direct workplace-wide improvements to safety and organizational culture.

“This accident, caused by an employer's disregard for safety, is a representative case showing how weak safety awareness has been,” Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said.

“The employer responsible for safety encouraged danger, so this case cannot be taken lightly,” he added. “We will thoroughly inspect the workplace's safety and health management system and organizational culture, and take action without leniency against violations.”