Samsung Accused of a Fatal Gas Leak Coverup at One of Their Factories

[dgstorm]

Here's some strange news out of Samsung land today. Apparently the company has been accused of covering up a fatal gas leak at one of its South Korean factories. The report indicates a 500 liter canister of hydrofluoric acid began leaking Sunday, around 11:00 p.m. local. This occurred at one of their semiconductor plants in Hwaseong, South Korea. The leak got worse at 5:00 a.m. on Monday morning as the tank leaked for a second time, and an estimated 10 liters of acid escaped from the pipeline in gas form. Samsung sent a maintenance crew to fix the leak, which resulted in one dead worker and four others hospitalized and released. The problem is that Samsung supposedly failed to report this to authorities in a timely manner, and now they are being investigated. Here's a quote with a bit more info,

A small amount of diluted hydrofluoric acid leaked early Monday morning during maintenance at one of the gas and chemical supply systems at the Hwaseong site,” Samsung confirmed in a statement, adding that the situation has been contained and production was not affected by the incident.

A South Korean government official told AsiaE that Samsung is being investigated for not reporting the incident earlier. Investigators will also determine whether or not workers had access to proper safety equipment.

The question is, "Was this a case of a deliberate cover-up, or just irresponsibility and feet-dragging?" Of course, we will likely need more facts in the case to make a valid judgement.

Source: BGR

 

[MissionImprobable]

Even if it's true, with what Apple has pulled and gotten away with in their factories I doubt there will really be any backlash over this.

 

[johnomaz]

Accidents happen. They went to repair it and someone died from a very harmful gas. Its sad, but it happens. Its not like hundreds died because they ignored the issue. Lets look at the child labor used by Foxconn and that they continue to use it because they just don't care.

 

[comk4ver]

Accidents happen. They went to repair it and someone died from a very harmful gas. Its sad, but it happens. Its not like hundreds died because they ignored the issue. Lets look at the child labor used by Foxconn and that they continue to use it because they just don't care.

I believe that the major difference is lives have been lost where as working an eighteen hour shift people get to go home.

 

[MissionImprobable]

I believe that the major difference is lives have been lost where as working an eighteen hour shift people get to go home.

I believe you're forgetting that there have been multiple suicides by workers at Foxconn, to the point that they began installing nets around the buildings so that people couldn't jump to their deaths.

 

[combatmedic870]

I believe you're forgetting that there have been multiple suicides by workers at Foxconn, to the point that they began installing nets around the buildings so that people couldn't jump to their deaths.

wow...just wow...

 

[comk4ver]

I believe you're forgetting that there have been multiple suicides by workers at Foxconn, to the point that they began installing nets around the buildings so that people couldn't jump to their deaths.

It wasn't until people weren't going home (see people committing suicide) that people grew a heart and cared about eighteen hour shift. Supposedly the situation has been "adjusted" but we all know it's not true. Indignation is just a flash in the pan.
True mobs only show up for the same items that they condemned three weeks before.
Now the same flash mob "do something" will appear and disappear also.

 

[johnomaz]

I believe that the major difference is lives have been lost where as working an eighteen hour shift people get to go home.

Along with the net/suicide issue above, they also live in dormitories where they are treated as objects, not people. I recall hearing reports of physical abuse but cant' remember if that was proven or speculation from word of mouth of other employees ​ at foxconn.

 

[comk4ver]

Along with the net/suicide issue above, they also live in dormitories where they are treated as objects, not people. I recall hearing reports of physical abuse but cant' remember if that was proven or speculation from word of mouth of other employees ​ at foxconn.

Very true, they live in dorms but what I mean is that they get to leave the factory.