Worker dies after fall at HD Hyundai Mipo yard
Worker died falling from the dockside while lowering detergent suspended from rope
Investigation launched after fatality ends a period of eight consecutive years without a serious accident
A SOUTH Korean worker at the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard died on Thursday after falling 12 metres from the dockside.
The death is the first serious accident to occur at the yard in over eight years.
The worker, who was not identified but is said to be in his thirties, was working alone on the dockside at the time of the accident. He was lowering detergent weighing more than 20kg suspended from a rope when he lost his balance and fell to the bottom of the dock.
He was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery but died due to his injuries.
The Ministry of Employment and Labour, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency and the Busan District Ministry of Employment and Labour have now opened an on-site investigation.
Ulsan Dongbu Police are also investigating.
While the worker was wearing a hard hat and a safety harness at the time of the accident, the investigation will determine whether he was connected to a safety hook.
The company said in a statement: “We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the casualty and his family. We will do our best to manage and support the accident and will cooperate fully with the investigation to determine the cause thoroughly.”
