9 Material Issues
Employee Health and Safety
The electronics industry is fast-changing and requires the development of new technologies, production techniques
and materials. Samsung recognizes the value of accurate health impact analysis and preventive measures, and is
striving to provide a safe working environment for all employees.
Despite the efforts made, health and safety of the semiconductor production line has become an issue. We
commissioned a third-party expert to conduct a detailed analysis of the production line and disclosed the report to
the public. We have also established a dedicated employee health research institute to further assess potential health
issues and devise preventive measures.
Employee Health Management Program
Samsung Electronics provides annual health checks to help employees monitor their health. In addition, our employees have opportunities to consult
with health experts including doctors and nurses.
Today, stress is one of the leading problems for employees. It is not only a risk to personal health but business management. Samsung Electronics has
more than 200,000 employees working side-by-side, and we understand the importance of managing their stress not just for the benefits to Samsung,
but for the benefits to our employees’ families and society, in general. Currently, we are operating consultation centers, conducting yoga lessons and
meditation programs, as well as volunteer activities to help employees stay productive in a supportive working environment.
In addition, we have established Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Center to correct the ergonomics of our employees’ workplace posture and to
prevent musculoskeletal disorders. We hired a team of full-time sports science experts, and they are conducting basal physical fitness analysis, vertabra
check, balancing ability and others using specialized equipment, and provide the musculoskeletal correction and controlled training programs for our
employees’ musculoskeletal disorders prevention.
Musculoskelatal Disorder Prevention Program
Basic Checkup
In-depth Diagnosis
Exercise Treatment Program
Basic fitness condition
3D vertebra check
Musculoskeletal remedial massage
Range of motion
Comprehensive test
Tailored exercise treatment
Flexibility test
Balance ability
Rotatory exercise
Multi-joint measurement
Special three-dimensional exercise
Industrial Accident Prevention
The industrial accident rate has increased in 2011 compared to the
previous year. However, 68 percent of accidents occurred due to nonwork related activities such as in-company team building activities.
Samsung Electronics has published a safety guide on non-work related
activities to better prevent these types of injuries from happening.
Comprehensive safety training is conducted on regular basis, covering a wide range of risks including occupational risks, employee
health management tips and other risks that may affect health and
safety of employees.
26 / Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report 2012 /
Industrial Accident Types (Korea)
Work related accidents Non-work related accidents
32%
68%
Non-work related: 46 cases, Work-related: 22 cases
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Sustainability Overview
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9 Material Issues Employee Health and Safety
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Facts & Figures
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Appendices
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Semiconductor Production Line Work Environment Assessment Results
Samsung Electronics made a detailed assessment of health and safety of Samsung’s semiconductor production line from July 2010 to June 2011. Samsung commissioned ENVIRON, a world leading technical and scientific consultancy firm on health and safety, with the support from international health
and safety experts at Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Michigan. Their findings were reported at an academic seminar held
by the International Commission on Occupational Health 2012.
A simulation of the old Samsung Electronics semiconductor production line was conducted and studied using state-of-the-art methods. The simulation
results indicated that the level of hazardous chemical exposure to production workers was very low and not enough to cause serious disease. The study
concluded that all occupational health risk factors were managed adequately for worker safety.
The simulated assessment on the work environment of the old semiconductor production line indicated that it did not have impact on causing leukemia
and lymphoma in workers, concluding that there is no link between the semiconductor production line work environment and the occurrence of occupational cancers.
Samsung Electronics has created an official blog in order to actively communicate the truth about industrial health and safety associated with semiconductor production lines in a transparent and open manner. The full report by ENVIRON can be found on the blog in addition to other facts and data
on this issue.
We are continuing to strengthen occupational safety by implementing an ‘Occupational Health Management Improvement Plan’ which consists of
more than 20 safety improvement programs including improved communication about hazardous materials with internal/external stakeholders and
better management of hazardous materials.
Employee Health Research Center
Samsung Electronics established a dedicated Employee Health Research Center and hired highly-qualified occupational health experts in 2010 in order
to better understand potential occupational health risks. The center is focusing on four areas of research including toxicology of hazardous materials, the
work environment, analysis of new production processes as well as materials and epidemiology, with a vision of becoming an ‘industry-leading occupational health and environment research center.’ The center initially focused on studying issues associated with semiconductor production, but it is now
expanding its research scope to other business areas.
Its research work has been focused on the identification and research of potential health hazards, exposure tests, risk management and health impact
studies, with 17 reports published in 2010 and 24 reports in 2011.
Role of Health Research Center
Toxicology of
hazardous materials
research
Study of work
environment
Analysis of new
production processes
and materials
Study of
epidemiology
Study of chemical
characteristics and
human toxicity
Ventilation system
Health impact
evaluation
New material
characteristics study
Exposure testing/
characteristics analysis
Occupational disease
research
Occupational health
management research
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