Union reiterates safety concerns after subcontractor dies at Hyundai Heavy yard
An HD HHI subcontractor in his 30s died while doing pipework inside a methanol tank, with the exact cause of death still under investigation
Tragedy comes after the Federation of Korean Trade Unions already confirmed 18 fatal accidents at various shipyards across South Korea during the first nine months of this year
A SUBCONTRACTOR has collapsed and died while masking pipes in a methanol tank at South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard.
The man, in his 30s, was found by a colleague who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation but was unable to revive him.
The incident occurred in an enclosed area where the victim had been working on pipework. He had entered the site after performing argon arc welding the previous day and was found crouched beside a plumbing pipe.
The HD HHI union suggested that asphyxiation from residual gas could be the cause of death, although the exact cause remains undetermined.
A union official told Lloyd’s List: “An autopsy is currently underway, but we believe the death may be linked to a lack of worker safety.”
A memorial was held at the Ulsan shipyard on the morning of October 28. The union decided to resume work following a one-hour safety inspection of all confined spaces in the workplace.
An official from HD Hyundai told Lloyd’s List: “We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. We will actively co-operate with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of death and follow up accordingly.”
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions recently confirmed that a total of 18 fatal accidents had occurred at various shipyards across South Korea between January and September of this year.
Domestic rival firm, Hanwha Ocean, announced in September that it would invest $1.4bn to become the safest builder after four subcontractors died at its Geoje shipyard this year.
The HD HHI union cancelled a planned seven-hour strike on October 28 after the incident. However, walkouts from October 29 to November 1 will proceed as scheduled.
The union has held more than 10 partial walkouts amid stalled wage talks, though negotiations resumed last week.