Over 100 stop-work orders delayed for hazardous machines that failed safety inspections

Labor authorities identified hazardous machines that failed safety standards but did not issue stop-work orders in time in more than 100 cases over the past three years, newly released data shows.

According to data obtained from the Ministry of Employment and Labor by Democratic Party lawmaker Eo Ki-gu of the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee, a total of 102 stop-work orders were delayed for machines that failed safety inspections during comprehensive audits conducted from 2023 to 2025.

Safety inspections are a regulatory system designed to prevent accidents by verifying that hazardous machinery — including cranes, lifts, pressure vessels and conveyors — meets established safety standards.

Under the system, the Ministry of Employment and Labor is required to issue a stop-work order as a follow-up administrative measure whenever a hazardous machine fails a safety inspection.

Yet the data showed that such orders were not issued in a timely manner at workplaces across the country.

By regional office, the Cheonan branch recorded the highest number of delays at 20 cases, followed by the Chungju branch with 16. The Daegu office and Jinju branch each logged eight cases, while the Ansan branch and Daegu West branch each recorded seven.

When stop-work orders for failed machines are delayed, employers may continue operating them without authorization, creating a direct risk of major casualties — including crane collapses and pressure vessel explosions.

"The ministry's responsibility does not end simply because employers are legally obligated to halt use of the machines," Eo said. "Inspection failures and stop-work orders must be linked through a digital system so that delays are flagged immediately, and authorities must follow up to confirm that the machines have actually been taken out of service and that corrective measures have been carried out."