South Korean authorities concluded their investigation into Samsung following exposure to X-ray radiation affecting two employees.
Malfunction in Interlock System
The incident occurred in May when the National Security and Safety Commission (NSSC) found that the workers from a semiconductor plant in Giheung experienced "abnormal" symptoms related to radiation exposure in their fingers.
The NSSC's investigation revealed that the radiation exposure happened while maintenance was performed on a device that uses X-ray fluorescence to measure chemical thickness on semiconductor wafers, according to Hotnews.
Due to a malfunction in a safety interlock system, the X-ray tube continued operating even after a safety panel was removed.
This oversight resulted in one worker receiving a dose of 15 millisievert (mSv) and the other being exposed to 130 mSv, significantly exceeding South Korea’s annual exposure limit of 50 mSv for the entire body.
No Explanation
Samsung has been fined 10.5 million won (approximately $8,000) for two violations of the Nuclear Safety Act. This penalty is notably small considering Samsung's operational profits, which reached 10.44 trillion won ($7.82 billion) in the second quarter of 2024.
The fines were imposed for not adhering to technical standards related to radiation-generating devices and failing to implement adequate radiation risk prevention measures.
Despite the lack of clarity regarding the exact cause of the safety interlock failure, the NSSC emphasized the importance of adhering to safety protocols. Investigators interviewed numerous maintenance staff, but no one could explain the faulty wiring, suggesting a systemic issue within Samsung's operational safety culture.
Authorities confirmed that both employees are alive and continue to be monitored for any long-term effects from the incident.
