When a machine causes injury

Machine accidents happen in an instant. Know in advance what to do first.

Immediately

1. Stop the machine. Emergency stop or cut the power. Make sure it cannot be switched back on.
2. Call 119.
3. If someone is trapped, do not pull them out by force. It causes worse damage. Follow the 119 operator.
4. For heavy bleeding, press firmly with a clean cloth.
5. If a body part is severed, bring it.
   • Wrap it in clean cloth or gauze
   • Seal it in a plastic bag
   • Place the bag on iced water
   • Do not put it directly on ice or into water — this damages the tissue
6. Photograph the scene — the machine, whether guards were present, the cover.

Afterwards

1. File it as an industrial accident — 1588-0075.
2. You can file alone even if the company blocks it.
3. Ask colleagues for witness statements.
4. Report missing safety guards to 1544-3088 and 1350.

Prevention — stop if you see this

• Guards or safety devices missing or removed
• Cleaning or repairing while the power is still on
• Work where gloves or clothing could be caught in rotating parts
• A machine you are handling for the first time without training
• Working while drowsy or exhausted

Where to go

• 119 emergencies
• 1588-0075 Workers' Compensation service
• 1544-3088 KOSHA
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor
• Your local support centre for foreign workers

Questions people ask

A finger was severed. Call 119 and bring the severed part stored as above. The sooner you arrive, the better the chance of reattachment.

The company wants to call it a machine fault. Tell the truth. A false statement works against you later.

They tell me to remove the safety guard. That is illegal. You may refuse the work and report it to 1544-3088.

I have a scar. It may qualify for disability benefit. Have the disability assessed after treatment ends.

Take care

Always cut the power before cleaning or repairing. A large share of machine accidents happen during "just a quick clean". Switch it off and mark it so nobody switches it back on.

Related

fall-injury · workplace-injury-first-steps · refuse-dangerous-work · industrial-accident-report

Source

KOSHA www.kosha.or.kr / As of 2026-08