Worker hospitalized after conveyor belt accident at Ourhome plant where similar incident occurred last year
A subcontractor was hospitalized after becoming caught in a conveyor belt at an Ourhome factory in Yongin, Gyeonggi, where a worker died in a similar accident last year.
Ourhome's Yongin No. 2 plant in Yongin, Gyeonggi, where the accident happened.SON SUNG-BAE
A subcontractor lost consciousness after becoming caught in a conveyor belt at an Ourhome factory, renewing scrutiny of workplace safety as a worker died in a similar accident at the same plant last year.
The accident occurred around 2:50 p.m. Monday in a fish cake packaging area on the fourth floor of food service company Ourhome's Yongin No. 2 plant in Yongin, Gyeonggi. The subcontractor's neck was caught in a conveyor belt machine while working.
The worker was rescued while unconscious and transported to Osan Hankook Hospital in Osan, Gyeonggi, at about 3:25 p.m. that day.
Police officers were dispatched to the scene following a request from fire authorities and began collecting CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses.
Investigators believe the accident occurred when the worker's head covering became caught in the conveyor belt.
Police are examining whether the company took adequate measures to prevent workplace accidents. If evidence emerges that required safety measures were neglected, those responsible will be booked on suspicion of causing injury through occupational negligence. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has also launched an investigation into possible violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
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Kim Tae-won, CEO of Ourhome, issued an apology following the accident.
“One employee suffered serious injuries in an accident that occurred at the Yongin No. 2 plant in Gyeonggi at 2:50 p.m. today,” Kim Tae-won said in a statement on Monday.
Ourhome's headquarters in Gangseo District, western Seoul.YONHAP
“The accident occurred when the employee was caught in a product packaging machine. The employee was rescued immediately after the accident, received emergency treatment and is currently undergoing intensive care at a hospital,” Kim Tae-won said.
Kim also apologized to the employee and their family.
"A situation that should never occur in a workplace has taken place, and as CEO, I sincerely apologize regardless of the circumstances," added Kim. “I especially bow my head in apology to the seriously injured employee and their family. The company will do everything possible to support the employee's treatment and recovery and provide all necessary assistance.”
Operations on the production line where the accident occurred have been suspended, and investigations are ongoing.
“We will actively cooperate with all procedures to determine the cause of the accident, conduct emergency safety inspections at all workplaces to establish measures preventing a recurrence and do our utmost to deal with the accident and identify its cause,” Kim added.
The factory was the site of a similar fatal accident just over a year ago.
On April 4 last year, a worker became caught by the neck in a cooling machine at the plant and was taken to hospital while unconscious. The worker died five days later.
“The injured worker remains unconscious but has a heartbeat,” a police official said, regarding the recent accident. “A similar accident occurred at the same factory last year, so we are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and will conduct a thorough investigation.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
