POSCO removes Pohang steel plant chief after safety accidents

SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - POSCO has removed the head of its Pohang steel mill after a series of safety incidents, including a toxic gas leak on Thursday that sent six workers to the hospital.

The company said it will launch a special safety task force led by its newly established subsidiary, POSCO Safety Solutions.

Industry sources said Friday that POSCO dismissed Pohang mill chief Lee Dong-ryeol after subcontracted workers and a POSCO employee were exposed to harmful gas during an outdoor cleaning operation. POSCO CEO Lee Hee-geun will temporarily take charge of the mill as the company investigates the incidents and rolls out additional safeguards.

The gas leak was the latest in a string of accidents at the site. Earlier this month, a chemical leak at the mill’s stainless steel plant left one worker dead and three others injured.

POSCO Safety Solutions, launched in September, will lead the new task force in partnership with Swiss safety consultancies SGS and DSS. The unit, headed by veteran safety specialist Yoo In-jong, is expected to identify root causes and craft measures to prevent further incidents.

The company said it will strengthen oversight of high-risk operations by ensuring safety managers are present for all hazardous tasks.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.

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