Korea’s Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was revised and published on 12 June 2013, extending requirements of hazard and risk assessments to cover existing substances which may pose health hazards to workers, such as CMRs, rather than just covering new chemical substances. This new requirements will come into force on 13 March 2014.
According to Article 40 of OSHA, new chemical manufacturers and importers should submit hazard and risk assessment to the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL). Based on the results of the assessment necessary measures should be taken to prevent health hazards to workers.
MoE and MoEL will conduct internal discussions to designate the existing substances subject to the hazard and risk assessment under OSHA. The companies involved in manufacture, importation and usage of these substances will be informed by the MoEL separately and the investigation result will be made public. There will not have a specific substance list issued, according to Nam & Nam International.
The details concerning practical implementation are still pending and will be released in the subordinate statutes before the new requirements kick in on 13 March 2014.
