KOSHA to Revamp Industrial Safety Guidelines by 2026 to Tackle New Risks

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its technical guidelines, known as ‘KOSHA GUIDE,’ with 351 standards slated for revision by 2026. This significant undertaking, approved on April 8, 2026, aims to modernize industrial safety and health regulations, ensuring they effectively address emerging risks in new industries and technologies while enhancing practical application in workplaces.

The extensive update will involve the creation of 8 new guidelines, the revision of 263 existing ones, and the abolishment of 79 outdated standards. KOSHA GUIDE serves as a crucial set of national technical support regulations designed to prevent industrial accidents and promote a safer working environment across various sectors in South Korea. The initiative comes as industries evolve rapidly, bringing new hazards that current guidelines may not adequately cover.

A key focus of the revision is to develop robust safety standards for critical and emerging areas. This includes new guidelines for fall prevention mats to mitigate injuries from ongoing fall accidents, enhanced safety and health criteria for aging workers, and specific guidelines for Energy Storage Systems (ESS) focusing on the safe handling of lithium batteries. Additionally, new standards will be introduced for hydrogen gas, aimed at preventing fires and explosions in the burgeoning hydrogen supply chain, a vital new industry.

The revision process will be rigorous, involving practical working groups composed of experts from various fields. Their proposals will undergo thorough review and approval by specialized committees and KOSHA’s main committee before the updated guidelines are officially announced. This comprehensive approach is designed to reflect the latest changes in industrial sites, the spread of new technologies, and updates to related laws and standards, thereby improving the effectiveness of existing guidelines and proactively responding to new types of hazards.

Kim Hyun-jung, President of KOSHA, emphasized the importance of the overhaul. “This guideline revision is more than just a regulatory update; it is a fundamental process to enhance practical safety implementation in workplaces,” he stated. “We are committed to creating a safer working environment by responding to new risks in emerging industries and meeting diverse technical demands from the field.”

Source: 고용노동부 — Original Article (Korean)