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2025 Vol.21, Issue 3 Preview Page

Original Article

A Study on Chemical Accident Prevention Strategies in Korean Workplaces Based on Causes and Incident Characteristics

화학사고 원인 및 발생 특성에 기반한 국내 사업장 사고 저감 방안 연구

김지윤1ㆍ김재훈2ㆍ김성범3ㆍ박춘화4ㆍ정성경5*

Ji Yoon Kim1, Jae Hoon Kim2, Sung Bum Kim3, Choon Hwa Park4, Seong Kyeong Jeong5*

1Research Fellow, National Institute of Chemical Safety, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
2Research Fellow, National Institute of Chemical Safety, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
3Senior Researcher, National Institute of Chemical Safety, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
4Director, National Institute of Chemical Safety, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
5Researcher, National Institute of Chemical Safety, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
30 September 2025. pp. 591-599
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Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to systematically identify the root causes of chemical accidents in South Korean industrial sites by applying an improved classification system that overcomes the limitations of existing fragmented categories. The goal is to support the development of practical prevention and safety management strategies. Methods: A total of 202 chemical accidents reported between 2021 and 2023 were reanalyzed using the new classification framework, focusing on accident type, cause, work activity, and associated equipment. Results: Leakage and spillage were the most frequent accident types, while minor incidents such as splashes have shown an upward trend. The main causes were non-compliance with safety procedures (38.6%) and poor inspection or maintenance (36.6%). Most accidents occurred during operations (19.3%) and were related to piping systems (46.6%). Conclusion: To reduce chemical accidents, four key strategies are proposed: enhancing worker training, improving safety and inspection systems, introducing a worker qualification system, and reinforcing field-based safety management.
Keywords
Chemical accidents
Industrial accidents
Types of accidents
Root cause analysis
연구목적: 본 연구는 기존의 단편적인 분류 항목을 개선한 새로운 화학사고 분류체계를 적용하여, 국내 사업장에서 발생한 화학사고 근본 원인을 체계적으로 분석하였다. 이를 통해 산업현장의 안전성 제고와 실효성 있는 예방 대책 및 관리체계 마련을 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 한다. 연구방법 : 화학사고 현장조사보고서가 작성되기 시작한 2021년부터 2023년까지 국내 사업장에서 발생한 202건의 화학사고를 재분석하였다. 새로운 화학사고 분류체계를 적용하여 사고 유형, 발생 원인, 사고 발생 시 작업 내용, 사고 설비의 네 가지 항목을 중심으로 분석하였다. 연구결과: 전체 사고 중 유·누출 사고가 가장 높은 비중을 차지하였으며, 최근 3년간은 경미한 사고가 증가하는 추세이다. 주요 원인은 안전절차 미준수(38.6%)와 점검‧유지보수 미흡(36.6%) 이며, 사고는 주로 공정 가동 중(19.3%) 및 배관 설비(46.6%)에서 발생하는 것으로 나타났다. 결론: 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 화학사고 예방을 위한 네 가지 핵심 대책으로 작업자 교육 강화, 안전 절차 및 점검 체계의 정비, 근로자의 자격 제도 도입, 현장 중심의 안전관리 강화를 제안하였다.
키워드
화학사고
사업장 사고
사고유형
원인분석
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Disaster Information
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국재난정보학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국재난정보학회논문집
  • Volume : 21
  • No :3
  • Pages :591-599
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.15683/kosdi.2025.9.30.591
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