Worker at SPC factory dies after workplace accident

SPC Group's Shany confectionary plant in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, in 2022. One of its employees died Thursday as a result of an industrial accident at the plant two days earlier. [YONHAP]

A 56-year-old woman who was caught in a machine at SPC Group’s Shany confectionery factory in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, two days ago died on Thursday.

The woman was rushed to the hospital in a state of cardiac arrest and underwent surgery on Tuesday after the first emergency call was made around 12:40 p.m.

According to the police, the accident occurred during the process of moving batter from one barrel to another. While the woman was working with another co-worker as a team, the co-worker turned on a machine without taking proper safety steps.

The accident happened less than a year after a 23-year-old employee at another SPC factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, died after being caught in an industrial mixer while working alone.

The death of the employee ignited public anger over the lack of safety precautions for workers at Korea’s biggest confectionery and bakery company.

It also sparked a boycott against the SPC Group, whose brands include Paris Baguette, Baskin Robbins, and Dunkin'. It also owns the operational rights of the hamburger brand Shake Shack.

The company announced last year that it would strengthen its safety precautions.

Under the Serious Accident Punishment Act that went into effect in January 2022, a business owner or business manager could face up to a year in prison or fines of up to 1 billion won ($759,000) when serious industrial accidents occur.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]