Coupang Deokpyeong Logistics Center Fire from Cigarette in 2018... Manager Says "Don't Leave"

Coupang Logistics Center Union to Hold Press Conference on the 18th
Urging Fire Prevention and Recurrence Prevention Measures
"Ministry of Employment and Labor Must Conduct Special Labor Inspection"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] On the 18th, labor groups criticized the fire at Coupang Deokpyeong Logistics Center, saying, "The work environment that only shouts 'ppalli-ppalli' (hurry hurry) and the speed race caused the accident." They demanded that Coupang create a work environment that prioritizes worker safety and cooperate with fire investigations and measures to prevent recurrence. Testimonies revealed that the Deokpyeong Logistics Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, where the large fire occurred this time, had also experienced a fire caused by a cigarette in 2018.

The Coupang Logistics Center Union, part of the Public Transport Workers' Union National Logistics Center Branch, held a press conference on the morning of the 18th in front of Coupang headquarters in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Park Sang-gil, Vice Chairman of the Public Transport Workers' Union, said, "Due to the nature of logistics centers, they are inevitably vulnerable to fires," and urged, "The government and local governments should take this accident as an opportunity to inspect logistics centers nationwide and present and implement improvement measures if there are problems." Kim Han-min, head of the National Logistics Center Branch, raised his voice, saying, "Coupang's work environment and speed race that only shout 'ppalli-ppalli' caused the accident," and "Even if it is a bit slower, a work environment that prioritizes worker safety must be created."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Warehouse Fires Leading to Major Accidents
"Occurred During Time with Few On-site Workers, 'A Stroke of Luck'"

Another logistics center fire accident has occurred just when it seemed they might be forgotten. When a fire breaks out in a logistics center, it often leads to a major accident. Last year, 38 people died in a fire at the Han Express logistics center. According to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, from 2014 to 2018, there were a total of 6,625 warehouse fire accidents, resulting in 9 deaths and 144 injuries. Property damage amounted to 270 billion KRW.

According to fire authorities, this logistics center fire was difficult to extinguish due to the large size of the building and the many flammable items inside, such as cardboard boxes and plastic used for parcel packaging. The fire started on the second basement floor, known as the 'hub,' where goods are loaded and unloaded. The initial cause of ignition is presumed to be sparks from an outlet installed above the shelves of the goods display racks. Dust always accumulates in logistics center workspaces, increasing the risk of fire from short circuits or electrical faults.

Fortunately, the fire occurred during the time of day when the fewest employees were working, so on-site workers were unharmed. Vice Chairman Park said, "This accident was a 'stroke of luck,'" explaining, "It was discovered early in the fire, and it was not a time when many workers were present."

Lee Na-rae, a full-time activist at the Korea Labor Safety and Health Institute, said, "Coupang operates more than 100 logistics centers in over 30 cities," and added, "In Daegu, construction has begun on a logistics center the size of 46 soccer fields, employing 2,500 people." She urged, "Coupang must start creating a work environment where workers can work safely from now on."

"Fire Caused by Cigarette in 2018 as Well...
Managers Told Workers 'Do Not Leave Your Post'"

The Coupang Logistics Center union stated in their press release, "The sprinkler system, which was turned off due to frequent malfunctions, was delayed in operation," and "On-site workers thought the warning broadcast on the day was also a malfunction, which was a dangerous situation that could have led to a major accident." They also mentioned, "An internet community reported that a temporary worker discovered the fire 10 minutes before the first reporter but could not report it because they did not have a mobile phone." There were also testimonies that workers had to continue working without receiving evacuation instructions or even explanations of the situation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the press conference, Kim Hye-jin, executive committee member of the Committee for Healthy Labor and Human Rights of Coupang Workers, said, "At the end of last year, at the request of the Icheon City Non-regular Workers Support Center, we conducted a fact-finding survey of the Deokpyeong Logistics Center," explaining, "This was because there were many reports of industrial accidents and serious human rights violations." Interviews were conducted with on-site workers at that time, and it was revealed that a fire caused by a cigarette also occurred in 2018.

She said, "At that time, the fire caused by a cigarette occurred where boxes were stacked outside," and "A large amount of smoke entered the logistics center, and while workers were confused, the manager told them 'Do not leave your post.'" She added, "One worker got angry at this and went up to the manager's office to confront him, and after that, he was no longer allowed to work at the Deokpyeong Logistics Center."

Executive committee member Kim introduced the 'Heinrich's Law,' pointing out, "There were countless signs before the disaster," and "Ignored signals inevitably accumulate and lead to another major accident." Quoting testimonies from on-site workers at the time, she said that many parcels and other stored items were piled up in the internal corridors and stairs of the logistics center, raising concerns that a fire could lead to a major accident.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Coupang Founder Kim Beom-seok Resigns from All Official Positions in Korea
"Remaining Representatives Must Have a Sense of Social Responsibility"

Labor groups demanded that Coupang establish fire prevention and recurrence prevention measures. They stated that Coupang should implement ▲ fire response training for logistics center employees at least twice a year ▲ increase personnel for disaster safety preparedness ▲ disaster safety education for managers ▲ comprehensive safety inspections and response plans for all Coupang logistics centers. They also called for guaranteeing union participation in the investigation of this fire accident and urged the Ministry of Employment and Labor to conduct a special labor inspection of Coupang logistics centers.

They also criticized the recent resignation of Kim Beom-seok, Coupang's founder and chairman of the board, from all official positions in the Korean corporation due to overseas expansion. Lee Na-rae, a full-time activist, said, "It seems like an attempt to evade the Serious Accident Punishment Act," and criticized, "This is very concerning and something to be deeply ashamed of." The union demanded, "The remaining representatives of Coupang must take social responsibility for this fire accident."