Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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A Brief Review of Regulations on Personal Protective Equipment for Hazardous Chemical Handlers as Regulated by the Ministry of Environment

환경부 소관 유해화학물질 취급자의 개인보호장구 착용 기준에 관한 소고

  • Jihoon Park (Environment Team, Joint Inter-Agency Center for Chemical Emergency Preparedness of Ulsan, Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, Ministry of Environment) ;
  • Chanryung Park (Environment Team, Joint Inter-Agency Center for Chemical Emergency Preparedness of Ulsan, Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, Ministry of Environment) ;
  • Hye-Ok Kwon (Environment Team, Joint Inter-Agency Center for Chemical Emergency Preparedness of Ulsan, Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, Ministry of Environment)
  • 박지훈 (울산화학재난합동방재센터 환경팀, 환경부 낙동강유역환경청 화학안전관리단) ;
  • 박찬륭 (울산화학재난합동방재센터 환경팀, 환경부 낙동강유역환경청 화학안전관리단) ;
  • 권혜옥 (울산화학재난합동방재센터 환경팀, 환경부 낙동강유역환경청 화학안전관리단)
  • Received : 2022.12.05
  • Accepted : 2023.03.14
  • Published : 2023.03.31
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Abstract

Objectives: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential means for protecting workers against hazardous agents or risks that threaten their safety and health. Governmental organizations related to safety and health in the workplace regulate the PPE rules to protect workers and to minimize damage from hazardous agents. This study discussed current PPE rules overseen by the Korea Ministry of Environment and explores future perspectives on the matter. Methods: This study was based on a review of PPE regulations with which every stakeholder should comply in the workplace. Both South Korean regulations enforced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Environment and cases from other countries were reviewed. Results: Regulations related to the PPE required for handling chemical substances in the workplace are enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Enforcement Decree, Enforcement Rules, and Notification of Protective Equipment Certification under the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The Ministry of Environment also regulates the PPE standards for 97 substances requiring preparation for accidents and adjustment of work conditions, but a recent amendment (partially amended on September 30, 2022) loosened some unreasonable or excessive provisions. It requires workers simply to carry or otherwise keep PPE handy instead of wearing it for some tasks in which hazardous chemicals are not handled directly. Conclusions: It is important to regularly review provisions that need to be improved or supplemented to help all stakeholders. Considerations should be also made to build a reasonable regulatory system that can induce more mature safety management in each workplace.

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References

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