The incident occurred at the tech giant’s Giheung plant in Yongin, south of Seoul, when two employees were repairing an X-ray device used to analyze semiconductor wafer components.
Both workers received radiation doses far exceeding the annual safety limit, resulting in hand injuries, including swelling and redness.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) announced the results of its investigation on Thursday, revealing that safety interlocks on three out of eight devices, including the one involved in the accident, had been tampered with.
This allowed X-rays to be emitted even when the protective shielding was removed. The commission was unable to determine who made these unauthorized modifications or when they occurred.
Additional safety lapses were identified, including difficulty recognizing warning lights and inadequate maintenance procedures, according to the NSSC. The plant also lacked proper oversight from radiation safety managers during maintenance work.
The NSSC said it plans to impose fines on Samsung for safety violations and is considering referring the case to prosecutors for further investigation.
The commission also plans to conduct inspections of radiation-generating equipment at all Samsung facilities nationwide.
In response, Samsung has pledged to implement various safety measures, including improved wiring methods, outsourcing maintenance to specialized companies and upgrading to newer equipment.
The NSSC aims to use this incident as a catalyst for enhancing safety regulations and oversight of radiation-generating devices across industries.
Plans include mandating periodic training for radiation safety managers and requiring re-registration when safety devices or warning lights are modified.
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