SK Hynix to spend big on site safety upgrades

The chipmaker SK Hynix said Wednesday it would invest 407 billion won ($359 million) to enhance safety at its production lines. The plan is a reaction to a series of accidents at manufacturing facilities owned by conglomerates. By 2017, the company will have hired safety experts, built new facilities and conducted safety check-ups using the funds.

The new SK Hynix effort to improve safety at its operations came after three workers died because of a gas leak at a construction site in Icheon, Gyeonggi. A safety committee has also been formed under its CEO.

“To date, SK Hynix has spent 123 billion won to keep production lines in Icheon and Cheongju safe,” the company said in a statement, “We plan to increase total investment by 10 percent so that 407 billion won will go toward safety measures from 2015 to 2017.” Part of the investment will be spent to hire safety experts. The company said it would double the number of safety and security personnel from the current 40 to 80.

With a larger safety staff, the company said, it can also conduct safety inspections more frequently than is now possible. Some of the new employees will be posted to a new division called Safety, Health and Environment. The unit will be responsible for regularly checking the state of security and safety equipment.

“During the second half, we will work with outside agencies to conduct more thorough inspections,” the company said.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]