Second fatal accident in July prompts partial suspension at HD Hyundai yard

South Korean authorities have launched an investigation and ordered a partial work suspension at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard following the second fatal workplace accident at the group's facilities this month. HD Hyundai said a worker was killed on July 19th after becoming trapped between a gondola and an upper platform while working at the outsourcing dock of its Shipbuilding Business Unit. Local media reported that the victim, an Uzbek national in his 20s, was working inside the cargo hold of an LNG carrier when the incident occurred. He was found injured and later died in hospital.

The Busan Dongbu branch of the Busan Regional Office of Employment and Labor subsequently issued a partial suspension order covering ship construction activities within the affected dock. Police and labour authorities are conducting an on-site investigation and reviewing relevant records.

The latest fatality occurred just nine days after another worker died at the Ulsan yard of HD Hyundai Marine & Structure, formerly HD Hyundai Mipo. The worker suffered a fatal fall while carrying out overhead crane maintenance work, prompting a separate partial suspension covering crane repair and inspection activities.

"The company plans to conduct company-wide special safety training and implement measures to prevent recurrence," HD Hyundai said in a statement.

The accidents are the latest in a series of fatal incidents at HD Hyundai shipyards this year. In April, a subcontractor died following a fire aboard a submarine undergoing repair at Ulsan. In June, a shipyard worker was fatally injured when a mooring line parted at HD Hyundai Samho.

The most recent accident may also intensify scrutiny of working conditions for migrant labour at Ulsan, where around 200 directly employed foreign workers have recently joined the Korean Metal Workers' Union and are seeking improvements to pay and employment conditions.