Preventing manhole falling accidents Demonstration installation of fall prevention facilities in Seoul

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 12th that it will install a ‘manhole fall prevention facility’ such as a net or a steel structure inside to prevent an accident of opening the sewer manhole cover from causing casualties.

This is a measure taken following a series of accidents, such as two people falling out of the manhole cover on the road in Seocho-gu, unable to withstand the water pressure and missing due to the torrential rain on the 8th of this month.

Although the manhole cover was a special model with a locking function, it was determined that the accident occurred because it might not withstand the water pressure when it rained more than 100 mm per hour.

Starting from the second half of this year, the city plans to first introduce it to areas vulnerable to flooding such as low-lying areas and the sewer backflow section, and then expand the installation.

The self-governing district is responsible for the installation, and the city actively supports the necessary business expenses, such as the disaster management fund.

The city plans to review the full-scale introduction following verifying the effectiveness of the pilot installation.

A city official said, “There were examples of introduction by local governments at home and abroad, but it was difficult to find an actual operation case.” I’m trying to find it,” he explained.

Concerned by some that the fall prevention facility may impede the water flow, he said, “There is no obstruction to the water flow when it is above the manhole.”

Han Je-hyeon, Seoul’s second deputy mayor of administration, said, “We will put the safety of citizens first and take prompt action to prevent a recurrence of human casualties due to the manhole cover opening accident during the rainy season.”

/yunhap news