Numerous violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act have been identified at SK Hynix's Cheongju campus, where there have been recent incidents of fluorine gas leaks. Additionally, at the Icheon campus, non-compliance with work procedures related to a nitric acid waste incident that affected workers has led to the cancellation of the subcontracting approval for that work.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on September 20 that it discovered a total of 338 violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act during focused inspections of 27 semiconductor manufacturing sites from June 26 to September 18. This inspection was prompted by two leak and fire incidents that occurred at the Cheongju campus in June.
Previously, in June, two leak and fire incidents were reported at the Cheongju campus, and a worker was affected by nitric acid waste at the Icheon campus.
As a result, the Ministry conducted oversight at the Cheongju campus and inspections at 26 other semiconductor facilities. The inspections revealed a total of 338 violations of safety regulations, with 28 cases referred for legal action. Additionally, 120 violations (amounting to 112 million won) are subject to fines, while 188 cases require corrective measures, and one case each involves cancellation of subcontracting approval and a work stoppage order.
At the Cheongju campus, deficiencies in safety measures that increase the risk of fire and explosion were identified. For instance, blocking valves were installed before and after safety valves designed to relieve pressure in emergencies, which could prevent the safety valves from functioning properly. Instances of using electrical equipment without explosion-proof capabilities in hazardous areas were also found.
Notably, the fire and explosion incidents at the Cheongju campus in June were attributed to inadequate implementation of the process safety report. It was noted that pre-inspections required by the report were not conducted, and gas work was initiated without the necessary safety work permits.
Consequently, the Ministry will take legal action against 28 of the 119 violations of safety regulations at the Cheongju campus. Fines totaling approximately 32 million won will be imposed for 84 violations, including failure to display warning signs and not posting Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Seven cases requiring amendments to the process safety report will also be addressed.
At the other 26 semiconductor facilities, a total of 219 violations were identified. The Ministry found 181 violations of safety regulations, which have been addressed. These included failures to install caps on sulfuric acid piping, not marking the opening and closing directions of valves, and not installing gas detectors. Inadequate measures to prevent falls, electric shocks, and entrapment, as well as the absence of signage for confined space work, were also noted.
Specifically, at the SK Hynix Icheon campus, it was found that the work procedures for subcontracted tasks were not followed, leading to the cancellation of subcontracting approval for the work involving exposure to nitric acid waste. The Icheon campus will also face 39 corrective directives and eight fines totaling 27.7 million won.
In another facility, an industrial lift that had not undergone safety inspections was discovered, resulting in a work stoppage order. Among the 26 facilities excluding the Cheongju campus, 13 are subject to fines totaling 36 cases (approximately 80 million won).
The semiconductor manufacturing industry uses highly toxic and corrosive chemicals and high-pressure gases in processes such as cleaning and etching. The Ministry emphasizes the importance of equipment management and adherence to work procedures, as leaks and fire or explosion incidents can lead to significant damage. The government plans to collaborate with relevant associations and organizations to disseminate information about these violations to the industry and encourage uninspected facilities to identify and improve their risk factors.
Ryu Hyun-cheol, head of the Ministry's Industrial Safety and Health Bureau, stated, "Given that semiconductor plants handle hazardous and high-pressure gases, even minor lapses in management can lead to major disasters. The incidents at the SK Hynix Cheongju campus serve as a warning, and we will ensure that safety management is maintained at the highest level to match the world-class technology of the semiconductor industry."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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