It has been confirmed that the work supervisor was absent at the time of an accident at a factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where a subcontractor worker in his 20s was crushed to death by a machine.

According to the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Police Station and other sources, at around 12:50 PM yesterday (July 22), a worker in his 20s, identified as A, from a partner company was caught and killed in a metal processing machine while inspecting it at an auto parts factory in Pyeongtaek.

Investigations showed that the accident occurred when another employee pressed the operation button, activating the equipment while worker A was working inside it. It was found that the work supervisor, who was supposed to monitor the site, was away from the location at the time of the accident.

It was also revealed that the machinery involved in the accident was not subjected to lockout-tagout measures to cut off and lock the power supply.

Police plan to investigate the exact circumstances of the accident and, if violations of safety obligations are confirmed, book those responsible on charges of occupational manslaughter resulting from negligence.

(Photo provided by Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, Yonhap News)