One of the most critical characteristics of fire and explosion accidents is that once they occur, they can quickly escalate into major industrial disasters, causing significant casualties and severe economic losses.
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Therefore, high-risk facilities such as petrochemical complexes require strict and systematic safety management.
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During its rapid industrial growth, South Korea experienced numerous fire and explosion incidents due to insufficient safety measures.
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Although such accidents are relatively rare, their consequences are devastating—often resulting in large-scale financial losses and multiple casualties, drawing significant public attention.
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Despite public outrage and media criticism of poor safety awareness, these tragic events tend to fade from memory over time, and similar accidents continue to recur.
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In the past, most accidents were caused by equipment failures. However, recent data shows that over 50% of incidents are now linked to human error, such as failing to follow work permits and safety procedures during maintenance operations.
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To address this, the government introduced Process Safety Management (PSM) in 1996, particularly targeting oil refineries and petrochemical plants. While the system is now stabilizing, small and medium-sized chemical plants still face challenges due to frequent process changes and limited PSM implementation.
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Many accidents occur because workers ignore safety procedures or become complacent due to repetitive tasks. A simple assumption like “it will be fine” can lead to catastrophic consequences.
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Fire and explosion accidents are largely preventable with proper safety practices.
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First, risk assessments must be conducted on hazardous materials and related process equipment to identify potential hazards.
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Next, effective control measures should be implemented to ensure safety even in the event of equipment failure or human error.
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Employers should ensure:
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Neglecting safety investment in favor of productivity can easily lead to repeated major accidents. This must never be overlooked.
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