Summary of the Report on Working Conditions and Hazardous Risk Factors at Samsung Electronics

Summary of the Report on Working Conditions and Hazardous Risk Factors at Samsung Electronics

I. Background

As of the end of 2022, Samsung Electronics employed 117,927 workers in Korea across diverse sectors including semiconductors, mobile communications, and home appliances, with job categories ranging from manufacturing and maintenance to R&D and office work.

Since the death of Hwang Yu-mi in 2007, occupational diseases at Samsung became a major social issue. In 2018, an agreement between SHARPS and Samsung led to some improvements, such as banning or substituting hazardous chemicals. However, risks have often been shifted rather than eliminated, particularly through outsourcing dangerous maintenance work.

Rapid automation has reduced manufacturing jobs while increasing maintenance roles, changing the occupational health landscape. Previously, attention focused mainly on cancers and rare diseases from chemical exposure, but more recently musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases have also emerged. This study aims to assess overall worker health and identify areas for improvement.

II. Key Findings

1. Chemical Hazards

Chemical risks at non-semiconductor sites (e.g., Gumi and Gwangju) were not lower than those at semiconductor facilities; in fact, the proportion of carcinogens and toxic substances was sometimes higher. Current chemical management is concentrated in semiconductor operations and needs to be expanded company-wide.

2. Survey and Interviews

2.1 Chemical Exposure and Related Illnesses

• 63.3% of workers were classified as exposed to chemicals.
• 12.5% reported experiencing strong odors at work, especially in maintenance roles and semiconductor plants (Pyeongtaek, Hwaseong).
• High exposure persists despite automation, particularly during equipment “open” maintenance tasks.
• Outsourced workers often perform the most hazardous tasks.
• Reports of cancer or rare diseases among colleagues were higher in Gwangju (12.2%) and Gumi (15.0%) than in semiconductor sites (4.4–7.0%).

2.2 Exposure to Workplace Hazards
Compared to average Korean workers, Samsung employees showed higher exposure to:

• Noise
• Vibration
• Fatigue-inducing or painful postures
  Manufacturing workers were highly exposed across all five key risk factors (including heavy lifting and repetitive motion).

2.3 Work Intensity and Health Status

• Over 50% reported high work intensity; more than 30% reported frequent physical exhaustion.
• Mental exhaustion affected more than half across all job categories.
• Main causes: performance evaluation pressure, excessive workload, and understaffing.
• Only 25.9% considered themselves healthy (vs. 72% of Korean workers in 2020).
• Presenteeism (working while sick) was about 5 times higher than average.
• Many workers paid medical costs themselves and avoided workers’ compensation due to fear of disadvantages.
• 61.2% viewed safety training as ineffective.

2.4 Musculoskeletal Disorders & Job Stress

• 81.4% reported musculoskeletal symptoms (more than double the national average).
• High-risk job stress groups included male manufacturing workers and female office workers.

2.5 Mental Health (Sleep Disorders & Depression)

• Sleep disorders were 2.5–3.7 times higher than average.
• Nearly half of workers were at risk of depression.
• Suicide-related indicators (ideation, planning, attempts) were 5–10 times higher than the general population.
• In some office support roles, suicidal ideation reached 28.1%, over 20 times the national average.

2.6 Key Areas for Improvement Identified by Workers
Workers identified:

• Staffing shortages
• Excessive workload
• Performance evaluation system
  as core problems.

Top priorities for improvement:

• Hiring more staff
• Increasing leave
• Reducing working hours

The performance evaluation system was seen as punitive, discouraging workers from taking sick leave and worsening health outcomes.

III. Recommendations

1. Reduce workload through increased staffing
2. Reform the performance evaluation system (abolish punitive low ratings)
3. Strengthen chemical management
   • Across the entire electronics industry
   • Reduce high-concentration exposure
   • Improve information sharing and classification systems
4. Improve response to occupational accidents and diseases
   • Support workers’ compensation claims
   • Monitor emergency response systems
5. Improve working conditions
   • Apply ergonomic measures
   • Address high-temperature environments (e.g., Gwangju plant)
6. Enhance safety and health training
7. Establish a safety and health management system with union participation