Safety foundation helps South Korean firms improve workplace conditions
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Lee Dae-sung, head of the Industrial Safety and Mutual Aid Foundation in South Korea, explained that many small and medium-sized enterprises lack dedicated safety personnel, requiring CEOs to prioritize workplace safety.
Lee, a 32-year veteran of industrial safety, previously worked at Hyundai Construction, including overseeing safety for a $5 billion Saudi Arabian petrochemical project. Since taking leadership in December, he has expanded the foundation’s focus to include construction sites, where conditions change frequently and temporary workers present unique challenges.
The foundation, established in October 2022 and funded by six Hyundai Motor Group companies, aims to improve safety across industries. It addresses a complex industrial structure where many subcontractors work with multiple primary companies, making comprehensive safety oversight difficult. The foundation's primary program provides on-site safety assessments and customized improvement plans for businesses with fewer than 100 employees, delivered by a team of 16 experienced safety experts.
In 2024, businesses supported by the foundation experienced a 16.7 percentage point decrease in workplace accident rates. The foundation recently launched a “Lifetime Safety Certification” program to recognize companies that have significantly improved their safety management. It also offers safety training, hosts discussions on safety regulations, and provides scholarships, along with a work experience academy supported by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
Lee Dae-sung emphasized the foundation is open to assisting all companies, not only those affiliated with the Hyundai group.
