Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, halted similar steel structure work at its Taiwan construction sites after four workers died at a Kaohsiung project, the company said Wednesday.
The Southern Taiwan Science Park Bureau said the workers fell during steel installation at the fourth phase of Fab 22 on Oct. 20. Three died that day and the fourth died Oct. 21, Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reported. All four worked for Shang Hao Machinery Co., CNA reported.
TSMC said it and its contractor immediately stopped related construction work at the Kaohsiung site. Its safety team is assisting authorities and the contractor with the investigation and corrective measures.
The bureau is examining whether bolts at a third-floor steel connection broke, causing the workers and part of the structure to fall. It has not determined the cause.
The Taiwan Association for Victims of Occupational Injuries called for independent safety oversight involving workers and inspections across TSMC's construction sites, CNA reported.
The bureau said steel-beam lifting at the project will remain suspended until it approves a corrective plan from Shang Hao Machinery Co.
