The National Human Rights Commission of Korea recommended to the Minister of Public Safety and Security to make amendment to the Framework Act on Health, Safety and Welfare of Fire Officers to establish legal foundation in a bid to encourage the Minister of Public Safety and Security and mayors/governors to carry out their responsibilities to supervise and monitor the establishment and implementation of the regulations on the management of health and safety of fire officers in fire service agencies. The Framework Act on Health, Safety and Welfare of Fire Officers does not explicitly prescribe responsibilities to supervise and monitor the contents and implementation status of the regulations on the management of health and safety of fire officers in fire service agencies devised by each agency, and that is why the rule cannot act as a practical safety standard for activities of fire officers. The Commission also recommended to devise measures to enhance the system of safety assessment in fire-fighting scene and to reflect fire officers' right to rest, leave, and sick leave when establishing a standardized model for shift work.
In addition, the Commission recommended to Minister of Public Safety and Security and mayors/governors to secure sufficient number of fire officers in fire-fighting scene pursuant to legal standards, immediately provide equipment to protect hearing and washing machine for contaminated clothes, provide personal protective equipment, and install facilities to prevent contagion pursuant to related act.
According to the research on human rights situation of fire workers, they suffer from lack of workforce, insufficient protective equipment and contagion prevention facilities. As such, they are conducting their duties with lack of measures to protect their health and safety. Moreover, fire officers are more likely to develop diverse diseases including sleep disorder, psychological diseases including depression and anxiety disorder and hearing issues.
The Commission concluded that there is a need to enhance working conditions and related legislations for fire officers whose safety and health are not sufficiently protected while they are carrying out their duties with high risk of injury to protect the life and safety of the public including fire suppression and rescue activities.
