Hanwha Q CELLS Jincheon Plant Achieves Highest Safety Management Grade

Hanwha Q CELLS Jincheon Plant View. Photo by Hanwha Q CELLS

Hanwha Solutions Q CELLS Division's (Hanwha Q CELLS) solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Jincheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, has received the highest grade, 'P Grade,' in the Process Safety Management (PSM) implementation evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. This achievement is the result of Hanwha Q CELLS' continuous efforts to strengthen and systematize on-site safety management. It is the first time a domestic solar energy company has obtained the highest grade in this evaluation.

The PSM implementation evaluation is the most prestigious government-certified assessment system in the field of safety management in South Korea. It is conducted to ensure the safety of workers and local residents from major industrial accidents that may occur at manufacturing sites. The evaluation results are classified into grades P (Excellent), S (Good), M+ (Average), and M- (Poor), with only about 5% of approximately 2,000 nationwide government-managed companies achieving the highest P grade.

Hanwha Q CELLS' Jincheon plant conducts systematic on-site supervision along with regular internal risk assessments and safety culture training for employees. The plant was highly praised for its continuous efforts to enhance safety management capabilities, including the introduction of a mobile system for prompt correction of unsafe conditions and effective safety communication. Hanwha Q CELLS plans to focus on maintaining the P grade by implementing action plans through industrial safety consulting going forward.

Since commencing commercial production in 2016, the Jincheon plant has operated as a smart factory with fully automated processes from cell production to module shipment. It is located on a site covering 188,429 square meters (approximately 57,000 pyeong), equivalent to 26 soccer fields. Currently, it has an annual production capacity of 6.3 GW (gigawatts) for cells and 2.8 GW for modules. Meanwhile, Hanwha Q CELLS is establishing a pilot line for tandem cells based on perovskite, a next-generation solar cell core technology, at the Jincheon plant.

Choi Jong-hyung, Head of Hanwha Q CELLS Korea Factory, stated, "This evaluation result is a testament to the collective efforts of not only the Jincheon plant but all Hanwha Q CELLS employees to strengthen the effectiveness of safety management." He added, "We will continue to establish an autonomous safety culture focused on accident prevention activities to maintain a safe workplace."