Daejeon hosts workplace safety talk concert with small businesses

Daejeon held the "Safety Cooperation Talk Concert with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises" at the Daejeon Convention Center on Thursday.

The event, themed "Spreading a Safety Culture Together with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," drew more than 200 participants — including SME executives, safety managers and workers — who shared industrial accident cases and safety management experiences and explored practical on-site safety measures.

Attendees read aloud a "Safety Cooperation Pledge," reaffirming their commitment to workplace safety. The pledge outlined four key action items: establishing a people-centered safety culture, identifying and addressing hazards before work begins, complying with relevant laws and safety regulations, and building a cooperative safety network among local stakeholders.

The talk concert that followed examined the causes of and preventive measures for accidents drawn from real industrial workplaces. Experts, panelists and participants exchanged views on the safety management challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises and on practical improvements that can be implemented on-site.

A safety musical titled "Yakso" ("Promise") also conveyed the stories of workers and their families at industrial sites, reinforcing the importance of following safety rules and preventing workplace accidents.

Co-organizer the Industrial Safety Cooperation Foundation is a nonprofit public-interest foundation established in 2022 that supports small businesses and their partner companies in creating safe working environments and improving health and safety standards. The foundation carries out a range of industrial safety projects, including safety and health consulting, on-site guidance based on risk assessments, and expert consulting and education.

Daejeon said it plans to continue pursuing field-centered industrial accident prevention policies that engage both employers and workers. The city will also press ahead with proactive safety management measures — including comprehensive inspections of facilities at high risk of large-scale fires — to protect the lives and property of residents.

Han Chi-heum, director general of planning and coordination at Daejeon city, said workplace safety is "the most fundamental value in protecting the lives and health of workers." He added that he hopes the talk concert will go beyond raising awareness and serve as an opportunity for participants to identify hazards in advance and put safety rules into practice at their own workplaces.

"Daejeon city will continue to listen to voices from the field, pursue effective industrial accident prevention policies, and build a culture where safety practices become part of everyday life," Han added.