Safety and Health Management System Operation

YOUNG POONG has established a systematic safety and health governance structure to ensure professional management and prompt decision-making. The CEO has been appointed as the management representative responsible for companywide safety and health, and a dedicated organization has been established to oversee all safety and health matters across our business sites. This organization provides guidance and advisory support, and monitors the implementation of safety measures throughout the company. The YOUNG POONG Head Office, led by the Safety and Health Management Team, formulates comprehensive corporate safety and health strategies. At the Sukpo smelter, we have built an effective and structured safety management system by separating the Line Safety Group and the Staff Safety Group, and assigning safety experts and safety and health managers to each production area. Furthermore, we have elevated our safety management standards by reorganizing the existing Safety Management Team into two specialized teams: the Safety Planning Team and the Prevention Safety Team.

Strengthening the Safety Management Organization

Safety and Health-Linked Performance Reward System

To ensure the safe and sustainable operation of its worksites, YOUNG POONG integrates safety and health management capabilities into its corporate management. We also incorporate environmental and safety components into our management by objectives (MBO) evaluations at the team level. Key evaluation criteria include accident-free management, safe worksite operations, partner management, improvement of the work environment, reinforcement of safety management systems, and supervisor performance. Evaluations are conducted fairly by a dedicated evaluation committee. Both quantitative and qualitative assessments are conducted, and evaluations are carried out on an absolute scale twice a year (in the first and second halves of the year). Notably, all salaried employees in departments that achieve a score of 90 points or higher out of 100 receive performance-based rewards. This fosters a strong safety and health culture across the organization and encourages voluntary participation in safety management activities.

Safety and Health Management Strategy

Based on three core implementation strategies—strengthening prevention activities, raising safety awareness, and reinforcing responsible management—YOUNG POONG places the safety and health of its employees as the highest corporate priority, and builds a systematic safety and health management system in order to ensure that all employees fulfill their safety management obligations at worksites. To this end, we have established and publicly disclosed our Safety & Health Management Policy and we continue to improve the work environment to ensure that all employees work in safe and comfortable conditions.
We are also committed to enhancing the safety competencies of our employees and fostering a proactive safety culture focused on accident prevention through a wide range of occupational safety and health activities. In particular, YOUNG POONG’s Sukpo smelter strengthened its safety and health management system by newly acquiring ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) certification in 2025.

Applying and assessing ISO 45001:2018 (Health and Safety Management System)

Risk Assessment

YOUNG POONG is committed to systematically identifying and eliminating potential hazards through regular risk assessments to prevent safety incidents in advance. In particular, the Sukpo smelter conducts continuous risk assessments aimed at preventing various industrial accidents, including fatalities, and securing the safety of both workers and visitors. These assessments thoroughly analyze, evaluate, and improve potential hazards and operational issues throughout the entire production process.

Regular Inspection and Management of Hazardous and Risk Factors

YOUNG POONG conducts monthly inspections to identify potential hazards and risks within its sites. In addition, quarterly intensive inspections are carried out with a specific focus on unsafe conditions and unsafe behaviors present in the workplace.
These inspections are conducted in collaboration with relevant department and subcontractor heads, and they share challenges and identify improvement measures after inspection. All inspection results are systematically managed, and corrective actions are taken as needed.

Process Safety Management (PSM)

YOUNG POONG ensures process safety and prevents serious industrial accidents at key sites through a comprehensive process safety management (PSM) system. We manage hazardous substances and control our processes in accordance with twelve major guidelines, which include process flow diagrams, hazardous material list, HAZOP-based risk assessments, safe operating procedures (SOPs), change management procedures, and emergency response plans.
We also submit quarterly risk alert checklists to the Serious Industrial Accident Prevention Center and have strengthened our safety implementation standards through six on-site inspections. Alongside this, we continuously improve employees’ process safety capabilities through job-specific PSM training, further expanding the effectiveness of accident prevention through inspections and training programs.

Safety and Health Management Goals

YOUNG POONG has established mid- to long-term safety and health goals and is committed to building a flawless safety culture through the continuous enhancement of its safety and health capabilities. To achieve these goals, we are preparing various action plans, including process improvements to minimize accident occurrences and strengthened on-site safety support.

Occupational Safety and Health Improvements

Safety and Health Training

YOUNG POONG provides regular safety and health training for both employees and partner company personnel in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. We offer safety training on process-specific hazards—such as chemical handling—to all relevant personnel, including subcontractors. For chemical handlers, additional training is given under the supervision of the Environmental Management Team. Personnel who have not completed the required training are restricted from entering the site. In addition, we conduct training on work permit issuance procedures and compliance requirements, as well as training to enhance understanding of, and adherence to, the right to stop work. At the Sukpo smelter, we operate the Safety Inspection Day program to continuously improve safety and health practices and to promote a strong safety culture, and raise safety and health awareness among all employees.

Employee Health Promotion

YOUNG POONG carries out various health and wellness initiatives to promote the well-being of its employees and partners. To enhance employee welfare and improve productivity, we operate an on-site health management center. Dedicated nurses staff the center and provide health services, including first aid, health consultations, follow-up health management, basic medicine provision, and regular blood pressure, blood sugar level, and body fat monitoring. In addition to periodic health check-ups required by law, we conduct specialized health screenings for employees based on the results of work environment assessments by site, followed by disease management tailored to individual needs. We also run diverse health promotion programs focused on preventing cardiovascular disease and encouraging healthy lifestyle changes. These efforts are supported by enterprise health promotion (EHP) index evaluations and internal health index improvement programs. Furthermore, we provide health consultations and post-health screening follow-up management for our partners to prevent occupational diseases and safeguard their health. In 2024, 176 employees from 14 partner companies participated in these programs.

Partner Safety and Health Management

Investment in Safety and Health

At YOUNG POONG, we prioritize the safety and health of our employees, and we continue to actively expand our investments in order to establish a sustainable safety and health management system. In 2024, it more than doubled its dedicated safety and health personnel and significantly increased its investment, boosting the safety and health budget by 162% to 27.3 billion won.