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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] South Korean authorities have launched a formal investigation into the possible use of industrial-grade lubricant in a food production line at SPC Samlip’s Siheung factory, following a fatal workplace accident last month.
According to police reports and sources on June 16, a 50-year-old female worker identified as Ms. A was killed on May 19 around 3 a.m. while performing lubrication work on a “spiral cooling conveyor” at the SPC Samlip plant in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. She was reportedly applying lubricant to both sides of the conveyor belt when she became trapped in the machine and fatally injured.
Witnesses at the scene stated that the conveyor had been malfunctioning frequently due to age or mechanical issues, prompting workers to manually apply lubricants for continued operation.
Police have since seized a lubricant container found at the scene, which appears identical to commercially sold cutting oil produced by Company D, an industrial-grade metalworking fluid. Investigators are now examining whether the substance inside was indeed cutting oil—a lubricant not approved for use in food processing.
Cutting oil typically contains methylene chloride and other harmful chemicals known to cause headaches, dizziness, and skin irritation upon exposure. Long-term exposure may lead to liver or kidney damage, neurological issues, and even cancer.
To determine the substance’s identity, police submitted the container and its contents to the National Forensic Service for analysis. Additionally, samples of pre- and post-packaged bread from the production line were collected for examination.
SPC Samlip has claimed that while the container used may have been originally intended for industrial lubricants, the actual contents were food-grade lubricant produced by Company L, a foreign manufacturer. The company maintains that the lubricant applied was safe for food contact.
Authorities are continuing their investigation under potential violations of food safety laws and occupational safety regulations.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
