Since the start of construction on Hyundai Motor Co.’s $7.6 billion auto plant in Georgia in 2022, three workers have tragically lost their lives, as reported by The Wall Street Journal after reviewing federal records.
A number of current and former employees, including safety coordinators involved in overseeing the construction, shared with local newspapers their concerns regarding the often perilous working environment. Many described the situation as characterized by inexperienced immigrant labor, inadequate safety measures, and numerous accidents.
The facility, operated in collaboration with South Korea’s LG Energy Solutions, has gained significant attention following a recent immigration raid that led to the detention of hundreds of Korean workers—marking the largest single-site enforcement action in U.S. Department of Homeland Security history.
Beyond the reported fatalities, the Journal noted that over a dozen workers have faced serious injuries, citing incidents such as falls without safety harnesses and being struck by forklifts. Those interviewed expressed concerns that Hyundai’s training protocols were lacking, and that safety regulators seemed ineffective in curbing workplace violations.
While Reuters has not yet been able to verify these accounts, Hyundai has not responded to requests for comments from the news agency.
Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took action, arresting 475 individuals, predominantly Korean nationals, suspected of illegal employment at the Hyundai facility.
Hyundai’s Executive Chairman Wisun Chong and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp were present at the factory’s grand opening back in March.
Addressing the Journal, Hyundai reiterated its dedication to adhering to immigration laws and emphasized that safety is paramount, stating that no shortcuts would be taken for the sake of speed. The company acknowledged incidents that raised safety concerns during construction and assured that comprehensive measures are now in place to prevent future occurrences.
“We took immediate and comprehensive action to ensure this never happens again,” Hyundai CEO Jose Muñoz was quoted as saying. “I went to Georgia and told the team directly: Safety comes before production schedule, it comes before cost, it comes before profit, it comes before everything.”
Construction continues on an electric vehicle and battery plant in Bryan County, situated roughly 30 miles west of Savannah.
