Increasing Collaboration with External Experts... Operating 16 Musculoskeletal Prevention Exercise Centers
Samsung Electronics has decided to increase the proportion of logistics automation to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among its employees. The company shared the 'Employee Safety Principles,' which combine five basic principles and five absolute principles, to strengthen its industrial accident prevention system.
According to Samsung Electronics Newsroom on the 8th, the company announced improvements to the working environment to employees in the Semiconductor (DS) division, including the promotion of automation for wafer box logistics operations within Line 6 at the Giheung Plant. Line 6 at the Giheung Plant is a consignment production space for older semiconductors used in automobiles and home appliances, using 8-inch wafers. The current logistics automation rate is about 44%. Previously, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union (Jeonsamno) had revealed photos of finger deformities of female workers on the 8-inch line during a strike.
Samsung Electronics plans to improve the automation ratio as quickly as possible. It also decided to introduce an improved design of wafer boxes, which are lighter and easier to handle than the existing ones. These are currently being tested in some workplaces, and once verified, they will be fully replaced. Cooperation with external organizations will also be expanded. The company actively collects ideas on improving the working environment and health promotion, as well as employee opinions on necessary system and cultural improvements, and accepts ongoing reports.
Earlier, last month, Samsung Electronics announced the 'Employee Safety Principles' to employees in the Device Experience (DX) division. The principles consist of five basic principles and five absolute principles. The five basic principles, under the goal of 'protecting your own and your colleagues' safety,' include traffic safety, colleague safety, work stoppage, registration of 'near-miss accidents' (reporting situations where accidents almost occurred through a reporting channel), and accident reporting. The five absolute principles, with the slogan 'Only work safely when it is safe,' include compliance with safety rules, wearing protective gear, prohibition of bypassing or disabling safety devices, mandatory permits for high-risk work, and adherence to principles during abnormal work.
An employee is exercising at the Samsung Electronics Musculoskeletal Prevention Exercise Center. [Photo by Samsung Electronics]
Samsung Electronics explained that it has professional organizations and facilities to prevent employee diseases. It operates 16 musculoskeletal disorder prevention exercise centers across all its domestic sites. At these centers, exercise instructors certified as health exercise managers and lifestyle sports instructors, along with physical therapists, reside and provide one-on-one customized programs. Employees suffering from musculoskeletal disorders are provided with musculoskeletal assistive devices and personalized group or individual exercises through the 'Visiting Musculoskeletal Program.'
Mandatory safety and health education is conducted twice a year for all employees. To complete the training, employees must score at least 70 points in the evaluation immediately after the education. In cases of work-related accidents and industrial injuries, the company provides guidance on industrial accident-related matters to the affected individuals through proactive monitoring such as dispatching the in-house fire brigade and reviewing accident reports.
Various welfare programs are also in operation. For non-covered items under health insurance, full support is provided for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound examination fees, and personal meal expenses during hospitalization. During leave due to health issues, a portion of the monthly salary is paid. For occupational diseases and injuries, up to one year of sick leave and six years of leave are supported. For non-occupational reasons, up to six months of sick leave and three years of leave are supported.
Since 2010, Samsung Electronics has operated the 'Health Research Institute,' the first in Korea to study the long-term health of employees. Seventeen researchers, including four occupational health specialists, are conducting research on the prevention of occupational diseases and the long-term health effects on workers. To date, 539 internal projects have been conducted, and 89 research results have been published. Since January 2019, through an external independent organization called the 'Semiconductor and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Industrial Health Support and Compensation Committee,' support and compensation have been provided for various cancers, rare diseases, reproductive disorders, and illnesses affecting children.
Support is provided if diseases occur within 5 to 15 years after retirement, depending on the illness. For leukemia, the maximum compensation amount is 150 million KRW. If an employee who received support and compensation dies before the age of 65 due to the relevant disease, a death condolence payment is provided separately from the compensation amount. A Samsung Electronics official stated, "We will continue to strive to ensure that all members can enjoy a safe and healthy life."
Earlier, Jeonsamno recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the human rights civic group 'Banolim' (Semiconductor Workers' Health and Human Rights Center) for industrial accident prevention and response. Banolim was formed mainly by semiconductor workers and their families after Hwang Yu-mi, who worked at Samsung Electronics' semiconductor factory, died of leukemia in 2007. The group works to protect the rights of workers with industrial accidents. Jeonsamno and Banolim plan to simplify the industrial accident application process and support victims in easily claiming their rights. Jeonsamno is currently conducting health-related surveys targeting members of Giheung Line 6 and others.
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