Hyundai Heavy Workers' Group Skin Disease Caused by Paint Solvent-Free Coating... Government "Joint Response"

Government Announces Cause of Mass Skin Disease at Hyundai Heavy Industries
Hypersensitive Substance Found in Paint Solvent-Free Coating
Changing Materials to Achieve Emission Reduction Performance Was the Root Cause

Government Issues 'Safety and Health Measures Order' to Three Hyundai-affiliated Shipyards
"If It Happens Again, Labor Inspection Will Follow"... Minister Sends Letter to Top 10 Shipbuilders

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The mass skin disease outbreak among ship paint workers at Hyundai Heavy Industries-affiliated shipyards was found to be caused by the 'solvent-free paint' that the company claimed was eco-friendly. In an effort to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) content, which is recognized as emission reduction performance under the Air Environment and Health Act, solvent-free paint was used, but it was replaced with a hypersensitive substance that caused allergic reactions on the skin. The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Environment warned, "We will jointly respond to this issue going forward."

On the 1st, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced, "It is highly likely that the hypersensitive substance contained in the solvent-free paint is the cause of the mass skin disease among Hyundai Heavy Industries painting workers that began last September." Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk and Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae sent letters to the top 10 shipbuilders urging them to "make efforts to reduce harmful substances." The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "The fact that the two ministries sent a joint letter shows how seriously they view this matter," and warned, "It means that we will jointly respond to this issue going forward."

From February to April, the Ministry conducted health examinations on 1,080 people from 10 companies, including three Hyundai-affiliated shipyards, three paint manufacturers, and four other shipyards, and found that 55 people were suffering from skin diseases. Among them, 53 were workers from the three Hyundai-affiliated shipyards.

When comparing solvent-free paint with conventional paint, the Ministry of Employment and Labor confirmed that although the VOC content was reduced, it was replaced with new hypersensitive substances such as epoxy resin. It was judged that this substance had a decisive impact on the workers' skin diseases. Since solvent-free paint was used to achieve legal emission reduction performance but resulted in industrial accidents, both the government and the company are expected to face criticism.

A bigger problem is that companies neglected prior risk assessments during the development and use of solvent-free paint, which violates the Industrial Safety and Health Act. According to the law, employers must identify risk factors such as raw materials, assess risks, and take preventive measures in advance to avoid harm.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor ordered Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries to take safety and health measures. According to the order, the three companies must implement ▲ skin sensitization assessments when introducing chemical substances ▲ provide and require wearing of protective gear such as chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing ▲ handle solvent-free paint within painting factories ▲ establish medical checkups and rapid treatment systems for symptomatic workers ▲ conduct safety usage training ▲ prepare related internal regulations. The Ministry plans to regularly verify compliance with these orders.

The Ministry will also disseminate the causes, issues, and measures of this case to other shipbuilders. They stated that if a similar case occurs again, labor inspections will be conducted. During inspections, the adequacy of chemical management systems and worker health protection measures will be checked, and strict actions will be taken.

In the second half of the year, inspections will be conducted on paint manufacturers. The plan is to examine whether sufficient safety verification is conducted during the chemical product development and commercialization stages.