Saf Health Work.  2017 Mar;8(1):59-66. 10.1016/j.shaw.2016.09.005.

Effectiveness of Direct Safety Regulations on Manufacturers and Users of Industrial Machines: Its Implications on Industrial Safety Policies in Republic of Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. gihchoi@hansung.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Despite considerable efforts made in recent years, the industrial accident rate and the fatality rate in the Republic of Korea are much higher than those in most developed countries in Europe and North America. Industrial safety policies and safety regulations are also known to be ineffective and inefficient in some cases.
METHODS
This study focuses on the quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of direct safety regulations such as safety certification, self-declaration of conformity, and safety inspection of industrial machines in the Republic of Korea. Implications on safety policies to restructure the industrial safety system associated with industrial machines are also explored.
RESULTS
Analysis of causes in industrial accidents associated with industrial machines confirms that technical causes need to be resolved to reduce both the frequency and the severity of such industrial accidents. Statistical analysis also confirms that the indirect effects of safety device regulation on users are limited for a variety of reasons. Safety device regulation needs to be shifted to complement safety certification and self-declaration of conformity for more balanced direct regulations on manufacturers and users. An example of cost-benefit analysis on conveyor justifies such a transition.
CONCLUSION
Industrial safety policies and regulations associated with industrial machines must be directed towards eliminating the sources of danger at the stage of danger creation, thereby securing the safe industrial machines. Safety inspection further secures the safety of workers at the stage of danger use. The overall balance between such safety regulations is achieved by proper distribution of industrial machines subject to such regulations and the intensity of each regulation. Rearrangement of industrial machines subject to safety certification and self-declaration of conformity to include more movable industrial machines and other industrial machines with a high level of danger is also suggested.

Keyword

direct regulation; safety certification; self-declaration of conformity; safety device regulation; safety inspection

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Occupational
Certification
Complement System Proteins
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Developed Countries
Europe
Evaluation Studies as Topic
North America
Protective Devices
Republic of Korea*
Social Control, Formal*
Complement System Proteins
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