Taiwan TSMC Factory Chemical Exposure Incident

Two subcontracted workers suffer burns... Third safety accident this week alone

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Taiwan media reported on the 21st that subcontractor employees at the world's largest semiconductor foundry, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), were exposed to toxic substances at a TSMC factory.

According to Liberty Times and others, two subcontractor employees working at a TSMC subsidiary factory located in Tainan, southern Taiwan, were exposed to 'TMAH (tetramethylammonium hydroxide)' the previous day, suffering burns on their faces and hands.

TMAH is known as a liquid or liquid-form solid used as a cleaning agent in semiconductor processing, and is a highly hazardous substance that can cause burns if it comes into contact with skin or eyes.

At around 12:30 PM that day, the Tainan City Fire Department, responding to the report, provided emergency treatment to the injured employees on site and then transferred them to the nearby Chi Mei Hospital for further treatment. It is reported that their lives are not in danger.

Taiwan media reported that this was the third safety accident at the same factory this week.

The Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan stated that it is investigating the exact cause of the accident.