With the rise in catastrophic events, Pohang is unsafe from natural disasters. Pohang has already experienced a destructive earthquake in 2017, and Typhoon Hinnamnor, which hit Pohang in 2022, flooded facilities, damaged homes, and left considerable loss of life. With all these possible disaster threats, we should adequately prepare for natural disasters. As the first step of safety preparedness is awareness, The Postech Times interviewed Mr. Kyu Ho Shin from the General Affairs and Safety from our university.
Please introduce General Affairs and Safety and its various roles.
General Affairs and Safety is divided into seven main offices: laboratory safety, industrial accidents, fire safety, biosafety/Living Modified Organisms (LMO), radiation safety, health, and natural disasters. We manage safety promotion, lab safety checks, and safety diagnosis.
How is General Affairs and Safety preparing for earthquake disasters?
The team is conducting real-time monitoring through smart earthquake observation systems installed in three different places on campus. In the event of an earthquake, the POSTECH smart notification app quickly delivers relevant information.
What are the measures for torrential rains and typhoons?
Based on the Korea Meteorological Administration's notification, we notify the typhoon route to the school members through announcements and guide pre-preparation requests and safety compliance beforehand. In addition, safety signs were installed in landslides/drainage dangerous areas for pedestrians to be aware of in advance.
How is the team preparing for forest fires and building fires?
As fires frequently happens during dry weather in the spring and autumn, we maintain a forest fire prevention banner and conduct trail risk factor assessments more than twice a year for the walking trail behind the athletic field. In the event of building fires, our team continuously monitors the situation 24 hours a day from the general situation room. Safety patrol vehicles and a fire company are promptly dispatched to the scene when a fire breaks out.
Any last words or advice?
There is a saying that goes, “Seeing the danger is the beginning of safety.” We kindly request you pay attention to safety, even when it seems trivial. The safety consciousness of all members is essential to maintain a secure environment. We hope that the culture of safety will spread, driven by the principle of “me first.”
Lastly, our team has dedicated significant thought and effort to shift the educational paradigm towards making safety education enjoyable, as demonstrated by initiatives like CPR competitions and safety golden bells. We will continue to work diligently to design and implement more effective safety education for university members. Therefore, we request increased attention to safety from all.
