1 day Ago By Lee Jun-sung
On November 19, during a vehicle performance test at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant, three researchers were found dead, suspected to have suffocated from exhaust fumes. The police have begun investigating the potential issues with safety equipment, such as the exhaust emission facilities, to determine the cause of the accident. Around 3 PM on November 19, three researchers were discovered unconscious at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant in Buk-gu, Ulsan, while testing vehicle performance.
They were transported to the hospital but were pronounced dead. Among the three deceased researchers, two were from Hyundai Motor's Namyang Research Institute Vehicle Safety Verification Team, and one was from a partner company. At the time of the incident, they were conducting test work inside the plant's Electrification Quality Division's complex environmental chamber, a space designed to test vehicles under various climatic and road conditions.
It is suspected that exhaust gases were not expelled outside during their testing, leading to the accident. On November 20, the Hyundai Motor Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union issued an urgent statement highlighting the dangers of the complex environmental chamber, which include being a confined space and the generation of harmful gases. They emphasized that this incident signals the need for a thorough review of safety measures and procedures in the work environment.
In response, the Ulsan Police Department conducted a joint inspection with the National Forensic Service and the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The National Forensic Service is considering carbon monoxide poisoning as a possible cause of death and is conducting autopsies to analyze the results. Following the incident, the Ministry of Employment and Labor issued a work stoppage order to Hyundai and is investigating any violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
The Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant, with more than 10 regular workers, falls under this law. Since its implementation in January 2022, there have been three fatal incidents at Hyundai, totaling five deaths..
