Police Raid South Korean Shipyard After Worker’s Death During LNG Carrier Assembly

South Korean police and officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labour carried out a raid at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje on Thursday as part of an investigation into the recent death of a subcontract worker.

The search operation followed a fatal platform collapse that occurred during LNG carrier assembly work in mid-October.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency reported that more than 40 officers from the Criminal Investigation Unit’s Major Disaster Investigation Team joined personnel from the Changwon Regional Office of the Labour Ministry to conduct search and seizure operations.

The team inspected Hanwha Ocean’s headquarters in Geoje, located in South Gyeongsang Province, as well as one subcontractor site.

The accident took place on the morning of 17 October, when a structural work platform collapsed at the LNG carrier system assembly area. The collapse resulted in the death of a subcontract worker in his 60s, identified as Mr A, who was crushed by a steel structure.

Police are examining the case for possible occupational negligence leading to death. The Ministry of Employment and Labour is also looking into suspected violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

Per local reports, the ministry has booked Hanwha Ocean’s chief executive for investigation on charges connected to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.

The Labour Ministry issued a suspension order for the affected work zone immediately after the incident and has continued to review safety management practices at the shipyard.

A spokesperson for Hanwha Ocean conveyed through a text message that the company was cooperating fully with the investigation.

Hanwha Ocean’s shares fell 3.3 percent during Thursday’s trading in Seoul following news of the raid and the ongoing probe.

Authorities are expected to analyse the materials collected during the operation as they assess whether safety regulations were violated and whether further legal action will be taken.

References: Reuters, The Chosun

Source: Maritime Shipping News