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Photo = Hanwha Ocean |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Hanwha Ocean on May 7 firmly rejected a union demand to revoke disciplinary measures against employees involved in safety incidents, stating that it “cannot accept any request that undermines workplace safety principles.”
The company’s unusually strong public stance comes as the metalworkers’ union at Hanwha Ocean has called for the withdrawal of disciplinary action taken against staff linked to recent accidents. The company emphasized that safety is a non-negotiable core value, particularly in a global business environment where ESG standards are increasingly critical.
“In an era where ESG management is paramount, unsafe shipyards will no longer be able to secure global ship orders, threatening the very survival of operations,” the company said. “Safety is the highest management priority, and we will not yield to any pressure that compromises the safety of our employees.”
The statement reflects the company’s position that it will not revisit disciplinary decisions related to two incidents at its Geoje shipyard in February and March, both of which could have escalated into serious industrial accidents.
On February 26, a worker fell from the top of a service tower after it came into contact with a traveling tower crane during lifting operations. On March 3, two workers were struck by falling scaffolding materials when a securing belt snapped during unloading work at Dock No. 1.
A joint investigation by labor, management, and relevant authorities concluded that the incidents were directly caused by violations of safety procedures, including breaches of crane signaling standards and unauthorized absence from designated work areas.
The company noted that risks were foreseeable—for example, placing an 8.3-meter-high service tower in a path used by a 6.3-meter crane without proper risk communication—and that access to hazardous areas was not adequately controlled.
As a result of the accidents, two employees sustained serious injuries and remain hospitalized, with one reportedly facing near-total loss of work capacity.
Following an internal review, Hanwha Ocean imposed a one-month suspension on three employees deemed directly responsible, along with warnings and reprimands for other personnel, including crane operators and supervisors.
However, the union has demanded that even these minimum disciplinary measures be withdrawn. The company also alleged that union members entered an executive office on April 28 and removed office equipment, prompting an ongoing police investigation.
The union has since expanded protests, holding demonstrations at the workplace and staging rallies outside Hanwha Group’s headquarters in central Seoul.
“Unions should play a key role in ensuring all workers return home safely by advocating strict adherence to safety rules,” the company said. “Demanding the reversal of disciplinary action through actions that themselves violate rules cannot be justified under any circumstances.”
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
