Here is the ergonomics legislation from
South Korea
The information here was collated from official online sources by Ergo Global ergonomists. All information is for general purposes and cannot be considered 1-to-1 legal advice. Ergo Global disclaim any liability relating to the information provided on this page.
To Note
South Korea does not have a single “ergonomics act,” but ergonomics regulation is integrated into its Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Page last updated: 11/05/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
-
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Article 29 (Safety and Health Education for Employees)
1) A business owner shall regularly educate the employees on safety and health, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
2) When a business owner employs an employee or changes the scope of the job of an employee, he or she shall provide the employee with the safety and health education necessary for the relevant job, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor provided, that this shall not apply where a daily construction worker who has completed the safety and health education referred to in Article 31 (1) is employed. -
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Article 36 (Conducting Risk Assessment)
1) A business owner shall identify hazardous or risk factors caused by buildings, machinery and apparatus, equipment, raw materials, gas, steam, dust, specific work behaviors of employees, or other duties and evaluate whether the degree of the risks that can cause injury and illness is within acceptable limits; take measures pursuant to this Act or orders issued pursuant to this Act based upon the results of such evaluation; and take additional measures where necessary to prevent risks to or the health impairment of employees.
2) When conducting an evaluation, a business owner shall have employees at the relevant workplace participate therein, as determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Employment and Labor.
3) A business owner shall prepare and retain records on the results of an evaluation and the measures that have been taken, as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
4) The methods, procedures, and timing of evaluations and other necessary matters shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Employment and Labor. -
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Article 38 (Safety Measures)
A business owner shall take measures necessary for preventing the following risks in order to prevent industrial accidents:
1) Risks caused by machinery, apparatus, and other equipment.
2) Risks caused by explosive, flammable, and combustible substances, etc.
3) Risks caused by electricity, heat, and other energy. -
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Article 39 (Health Measures)
A business owner shall take measures necessary for preventing the following health impairment in order to prevent industrial accidents:
1) Health impairment caused by raw materials, gas, vapor, powder, dust, waste, etc.
2) Health impairment caused by radiation, harmful rays, high temperatures, low temperatures, ultrasonic waves, noise, vibration, abnormal atmospheric pressure, etc.
3) Health impairment caused by physical strain, such as work involving heavy lifting, etc.
The Duties of
The Employee
-
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Article 6
(Adhere to Standards)
Employees must adhere to industrial accident prevention standards established by this Occupational and safety act and its associated orders, while also following safety measures implemented by business owners, labor inspectors, or relevant regulatory agencies. -
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Article 40 (Safety Measures and Health Measures)
Each employee shall comply with measures prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which are taken by a business owner pursuant to Articles 38 and 39.
What's next?
Step 1
Run an ergonomics audit following these regulations.
Step 2
List out the gaps in your ergonomics policy.
Step 4
Contact Ergo Global for more support where needed.
