Subcontractor in 30s Dies After Head Caught at Hyundai Heavy Industries Gunsan Shipyard

On the afternoon of the 24th, a worker in his 30s, identified as Mr. A and employed by a subcontractor, died after his head became caught in equipment while installing fixtures during welding operations to attach outer hull plates at Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. According to the North Jeolla Provincial Fire Department, a report was received at approximately 4:44 p.m. that day stating that a colleague working at the shipyard in Bi-ung-dong, Gunsan, had his head caught between equipment.

Firefighters transported Mr. A, who was in cardiac arrest, to a hospital, but he eventually succumbed to his injuries. It is believed that Mr. A’s head became caught between a piece of equipment and a lug (fixing hook) while he was installing the lug for outer plate welding work.

The police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor have ordered a suspension of work and are investigating the circumstances of the accident and whether safety measures were properly implemented. The police plan to transfer the case to the North Jeolla Provincial Police Agency's Serious Accidents Investigation Team to review the applicability of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.