Worker dies four days after being crushed by robot arm at food factory

A worker in his 40s died four days after being crushed by a robotic arm at a food manufacturing plant in South Gyeongsang Province.

The accident occurred Monday morning at a food factory in Goseong-eup, Goseong-gun, when the man, identified only as A, became trapped between the floor and a robotic arm.

A was rushed to a hospital but died Friday from his injuries.

At the time of the accident, A and a colleague in his 50s, identified as B, had crawled under the robot to inspect it after it stopped operating.

Police believe the accident happened when B, who finished the inspection first and exited the area, mistakenly assumed A had also left and restarted the robot.

Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident and whether the company bears any liability.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor, which issued a work-suspension order at the site on the day of the accident, plans to investigate those involved for possible violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.