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| 삼성전자 서초사옥. (사진=연합뉴스) |
[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Paul Lee] A methanol poisoning accident at Samsung Electronics' second partner plant in Vietnam killed one person and injured more than 30 others.
Cell phone parts maker H, the second partner of Samsung Electronics' Vietnam plant, recently received "fake ethanol" containing more than 70 percent of methanol from a local company. As a result, about 30 employees of Company H are being hospitalized and one of them is known to have died.
Civic groups are also calling for an apology and related measures, saying Samsung Electronics, which is responsible for managing and supervising the case.
However, Samsung Electronics is a secondary partner, not a primary partner responsible for direct management, and the partner was deceived and received 'fake ethanol'.
"We are thoroughly complying with environmental safety-related laws and regulations in businesses and supply chains around the world," Samsung Electronics said. "We are carrying out various activities so that our partners can safely use chemicals in the manufacturing process."
In the case of secondary suppliers that do not have direct trading relationships, they are taking measures to ensure that the same regulations and guides are delivered through their primary suppliers.
In particular, methanol is designated as a "restricted substance" by Samsung Electronics and its partners, and is safely used in only a few unmanned automation processes.
Immediately after the accident, Samsung Electronics introduced an additional procedure to verify the ingredients through the analysis of all samples of ethanol. In addition, special field inspections and education were conducted to prevent recurrence.
A Samsung Electronics official said, "We are in close consultation with our primary partners to provide maximum support to the victims of the accident."
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
