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The main gate of Hanwha Aerospace’s Daejeon facility in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, remains under restricted access following an explosion at the site on June 1. (Photo: Yonhap News Agency) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, June 4 — Hanwha Aerospace had been cited for hundreds of safety violations following a series of explosions in 2018 and 2019, raising concerns after a recent blast at its Daejeon facility left five workers dead and two injured.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, a special inspection conducted after a fatal explosion in May 2018 uncovered 486 violations of safety and health regulations. Of these, 126 cases were referred for prosecution and fines totaling about 261 million won were imposed, with additional corrective orders issued.
The ministry also found weaknesses in the company’s safety management system, noting that responsibility for workplace safety was fragmented across departments despite the presence of a small environmental safety team with limited authority.
Investigators said worker safety measures were inadequate, including insufficient handling of hazardous chemicals, lack of proper safety training, and missing warning labels and health data. In some cases, workers were not informed of the risks associated with specially controlled substances.
The findings have renewed scrutiny over the company’s safety practices, as similar incidents continue to occur despite past regulatory actions.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
