Improvement Directions for Plans for Residents' Scattering in a Risk Management Plan based on the SAFE Chemicals Act in South KOREA -Focused on the Cases of Ensuring Residents' Right to Know in the U.S.A.-

Abstract

Chemical accidents continue to happen since the hydrofluoric acid leak in Gumi in 2012, and people are voicing their opinions to highlight the importance and need of a prevention and management system for chemical accidents. This study thus set out to review the risk management plan under the Chemicals Control Act in the nation and the cases of risk management planning(RMP) at the US Environmental Protection Agency, searching for measures to improve residents' scattering plans based on risk management plan of the South Korean government. In South Korea, businesses handling toxic chemicals should provide residents in neighboring areas with the information about such chemicals once a year to ensure their right to know. The method of providing the information is, however, dependent on the homepage of the concerned local government or the concerned business, which means there are limitations with the residents' perceiving the information. The Emergency Planning Community Right-to-Know Act(EPCRA) was enacted in the U.S.A. The EPA asks each state to form a local emergency planning committee(LEPC) whose members are appointed by 13 groups. EPCRA offers a chance for a third party to participate in risk management, which reflects the greater importance and weight on the education and participation of the public rather than the interventions based on the government's order and control. Local social groups, environment organizations, and labor groups can ask for the information about toxic industrial substances collectively. Based on the review results of plans for residents' scattering in the American risk management plan, the present study made a couple of proposals to improve the plan for residents' scattering in the risk management plan of South Korea. First, there is a need to form a consultative group to promote autonomous risk responses among civilians and encourage its activities. Secondly, there is a need to establish a mutual support system to guarantee residents' right to know and help them perform the duty of seeking information.