HL Mando contract worker's death highlights decade-old safety failures

A tragic accident at HL Mando's Pyeongtaek plant has resulted in the death of a 28-year-old contract worker, Kim Seung-mo, who became trapped in machinery. Investigations by the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) reveal a pattern of alleged negligence, including the use of outdated equipment lacking essential safety features and inadequate safety management.

The incident occurred on June 22 while Kim was inspecting machinery. According to the KMWU's findings, a supervisor from the main contractor ordered the machine to be operated without being aware that a worker was inside. The machine reportedly lacked a safety interlock system, which is designed to stop operation when a door is opened.

Adding to the concerns, the union stated that no safety supervisor was present to oversee the work, even though employees from two different subcontractors were involved. This lack of oversight is particularly troubling given a similar accident at the same company in 2016, which also involved a worker being caught in machinery due to a lack of safety measures. The union claims that demands for safety improvements following that incident were ignored.

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The company did not notify the union of the serious industrial accident and ordered the removal of internal machine parts, potentially damaging the scene.

Further allegations suggest a practice of bypassing safety devices, such as using cable ties to disable interlocks, to speed up production. The union also raised concerns about the company's response after the accident, claiming that HL Mando management instructed workers to remove cable ties from the interlocks after the fatal incident, potentially compromising the investigation.

The KMWU and the victim's family are demanding a public apology from HL Mando CEO Cho Sung-hyun, a joint investigation into the accident, the establishment of preventative measures, and the punishment of those responsible. The family and union also raised suspicions of illegal dispatch, alleging that Kim's subcontractor, Piarodic, was established by a former HL Mando manager and that workers were directly supervised by HL Mando, despite a lack of formal contract.

HL Group issued a statement expressing deep condolences and stating their commitment to cooperating with the labor ministry's investigation and engaging with the union, which has been authorized by the family to represent them.

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Kim Seung-mo, who worked for the subcontractor Piarodic, was established by a former HL Mando executive and did not have a formal contract with the parent company. However, workers performed regular, continuous tasks under the direct instructions of HL Mando, suggesting a possibility of illegal dispatch.