Samsung Heavy Industries (010140.KS) CEO Choi Sung-an apologized on Tuesday for a workplace accident at the company's Geoje shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province, where a subcontractor worker in his 50s fell to his death while working.
"I apologize to all concerned parties for failing to fulfill our safety management responsibilities and causing great concern," Choi said in a statement released Wednesday.
"I pray for the repose of the deceased and extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family, who are in deep grief from this sudden tragedy," he added.
The accident occurred around 3 p.m. Monday when the worker, identified only as a man in his 50s surnamed A employed by a subcontractor, fell from a height of 20 meters while preparing for dust removal work inside a tank of a crude oil carrier at the Geoje shipyard. He was rushed to a hospital but did not survive.
"I once again apologize to all concerned parties for failing to fulfill our safety management responsibilities and causing great concern, and we will make every effort to create a safe workplace free of accidents," Choi said.
Choi ordered an immediate halt to all work on the crude oil carrier where the accident occurred. On Wednesday morning, he issued a work stoppage order across the entire shipyard and conducted special safety training.
Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung commented on year-end safety accidents on Wednesday, saying "It is desirable to take measures to minimize risks, even if we are criticized for being excessive."
"When it comes to public safety, being overly cautious is hundreds of times better than being insufficient," Lee said. "Especially for events that recur annually, there is often complacency in safety measures."
