After a series of fatal accidents on site, POSCO Group (POSCO Holdings) has decided to form a safety diagnosis task force (TF) and to pursue the establishment of a safety specialty company. It will also establish a foundation to support the bereaved families.

POSCO Group announced a safety management innovation plan containing this information on the 31st. POSCO Group stated, "We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt apologies to the deceased, who lost their precious lives due to an unexpected accident at the business sites, and to the bereaved families who had to say goodbye to their loved ones," adding, "We will concentrate all of the company's resources and capabilities to find and resolve the root causes of accidents."

On the 31st, the Democratic Party of Korea's Industrial Accident Prevention Task Force (TF) and Chairman Ahn Ho-young of the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee are visiting the construction site of the Uiryeong interchange on the Gyeongnam Hamyang-Ulsan Expressway, where a recent worker death incident has occurred at POSCO E&C. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

POSCO Group has decided to operate a 'Group Safety Special Diagnosis TF Team' directly under the chairman starting from August 1. The TF plans to involve external experts from academia and institutions, as well as employees and the union, to prepare improvement tasks.

POSCO Group has also resolved to consider the establishment of a safety specialty company. To establish a safety specialty company, it plans to examine global leading corporations and explore all options, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In particular, it aims to develop safety technologies, safety diagnosis and solutions, and construction safety platforms by integrating safety with artificial intelligence (AI).

POSCO Group plans to establish the 'Industrial Accident Family Care Foundation.' It has decided to propose various ways to utilize funds, including scholarship programs and support for bereaved families.

POSCO Group will shift safety management from a company-centered approach to a group-centered system and innovate the subcontracting structure. It announced that it will conduct thorough investigations at all sites, and if violations of subcontracting are detected, it will consider measures such as halting transactions or terminating contracts.

This year, a total of five fatal accidents have occurred within POSCO Group, including four cases at POSCO E&C and one case at the POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks.

In response, President Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized the business sites where industrial accident cases are recurring, mentioning POSCO E&C the previous day. He said, "Having fatal accidents happen in the same way ultimately tolerates death, and to put it bluntly, it could be termed as murder by implied intent in legal terms."

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