- SHI introduced `stop immediately upon identifying risk` principle and compensation system to activate right to stop work

- SHI is putting into practice its culture of safety as the top management priority, with a joint declaration by government, labor, and management at the ceremony.

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) held a `Right to Stop Work Declaration Ceremony` on the 26th, underscoring its commitment to fully guaranteeing `workers’ right to safety` and presenting a new paradigm in safety management.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 140 participants, including Geum-seong Namgoong, SHI’s Chief Safety Officer (CSO, VP); Won-young Choi, SHI’s Director of the Labor Association; Jin-seok Yoon, Chairman of the In-house Subcontractors’ Council; In-chul Kim, Head of the Tongyeong Branch of Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL); Jong-deuk Jung, Head of the Busan Regional Headquarters of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA); as well as overseas shipowners and employees.

The right to stop work is based on the principle of `stop immediately when a risk is identified,` establishing it as both a fundamental right and responsibility for all workers, and reflecting SHI’s strong commitment to embedding a safety culture that can be executed instantly at the worksite.

Accordingly, all shipyard workers are required to immediately report any potential risk to themselves or their colleagues through a mobile application and suspend operations, thereby preventing safety incidents.

SHI has also strengthened institutional measures to ensure that workers prioritize safety above all else, including explicitly prohibiting any disadvantageous treatment, compensating for lost working hours due to work stoppages, and providing incentives for exemplary cases

In the case of subcontractors, work stoppages may result in reduced working hours and financial losses. SHI will compensate for such losses and provides incentives, ensuring that workers can exercise their right to stop work based solely on safety considerations.

SHI’s decision to implement these measures—despite potential cost increases—reflects a deeply embedded corporate culture that places safety as the top priority in management.

Last year, SHI opened an Integrated Control Center at its Geoje Shipyard and has been enhancing its safety management system by incorporating smart technologies such as AI-powered surveillance system for fire monitoring, drone patrols, and smart helmets for safety personnel. These efforts enable rapid response in emergencies, thorough root-cause analysis, and effective prevention.

The declaration of the right to stop work is expected to significantly contribute to creating an accident-free work environment by proactively preventing risks and eliminating recurring incidents through data-driven systems.

“Safety is the top priority in our management, and we will dedicate all our capabilities to creating a shipyard where everyone can work safely,” said Geum-seong Namgoong, SHI’s Chief Safety Officer (CSO, VP). “The right to stop work will serve as a turning point in fundamentally enhancing SHI’s safety management system.”