Worker Dies After Falling 5 Meters into Manhole; Principal Contractor Referred for Prosecution

A construction company identified as Company T, the principal contractor in the death of a worker in his 50s who fell 5 meters down a manhole, along with its CEO, have been referred to prosecutors. It was confirmed on the 9th that special judicial police of the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office under the Ministry of Employment and Labor referred Company T and its CEO to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office on the 28th of last month with a recommendation for indictment on charges of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (a law that penalizes employers whose failure to take proper safety measures results in a worker's death or injury).

The accident occurred at around 1:20 p.m. on June 25, 2024, at a sewer pipeline construction site in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Mr. A, who was performing dredging work to remove sediment accumulated in the sewer pipe, inhaled toxic gas during the work, lost consciousness, and fell down the manhole. He was taken to the hospital in cardiac arrest but ultimately died.

At the time, the construction project involved removing sediment from the sewer pipeline to ensure smooth drainage ahead of the monsoon season. Gangseo-gu Office commissioned the project, and Company T won the contract. Mr. A was reportedly a worker for a subcontractor hired by Company T.

Immediately after the accident, Kim Min-seok, a member of the Gangseo-gu Council in Seoul, filed a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, alleging that "Company T failed to take the necessary measures to prevent risks to workers" and accusing the company of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

After conducting an investigation lasting 2 years and 4 months, the special judicial police concluded that Company T had violated its obligations to implement safety and health measures and referred the case to prosecutors, who will decide whether to indict.