Worker Killed by Falling Transformer Box at TSMC Site
A contract worker was fatally injured on May 26 when a transformer box being transported by a forklift fell and struck him at TSMC’s under-construction chip-on-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS) packaging facility in Southern Taiwan Science Park, Chiayi section.
According to the Ministry of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the forklift operator failed to notice a ground drop-off in the terrain. As the forklift rolled over the uneven surface, the heavy transformer box it carried toppled off and hit the worker nearby.
Emergency medical attention was immediately provided by onsite personnel, and the victim was transported to Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries approximately one hour later.
TSMC Halts Construction, Vows Full Cooperation
TSMC has suspended all construction activities at the Chiayi site as an immediate response to the incident. The company stated that it is fully cooperating with authorities and assisting the contractor responsible for the worker’s employment.
“Safety is our top priority, and we deeply regret this tragic loss of life. We are working closely with the contractor and the government to determine the cause and to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols moving forward,” a TSMC spokesperson said.
Why This Matters: TSMC’s Expansion Amid Global AI Chip Boom
The Chiayi CoWoS plant is part of TSMC’s strategic investment in advanced chip packaging, a critical component in manufacturing AI accelerators, like those used in NVIDIA’s GPUs and cloud-based inference engines.
The facility was announced in response to surging global demand for high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. It is TSMC’s first of two packaging plants in Chiayi, scheduled to begin mass production in 2028, and expected to generate around 3,000 jobs.
But the rapid expansion of Taiwan’s semiconductor infrastructure has raised concerns that safety measures are being outpaced by the speed of construction.
Pattern of Safety Incidents in Taiwan’s Tech Sector
This is not the first time workplace safety at tech construction sites has come under scrutiny. With Taiwan racing to meet global semiconductor demands and billions of dollars flowing into industrial parks across Tainan, Hsinchu, and now Chiayi, oversight agencies have been under pressure to enforce tighter safety standards.
The OSHA office in southern Taiwan has launched an investigation into the incident. If negligence or improper handling procedures are found, the contractor could face legal liability and monetary penalties.
Broader Industry Impact and Future Outlook
While TSMC’s CoWoS technology is central to Taiwan’s position in the global AI supply chain, the Chiayi incident underscores the human cost of the industry’s rapid expansion.
Experts say this tragedy could lead to stricter enforcement of safety protocols in construction zones across the semiconductor sector.
“With AI demand skyrocketing, Taiwan’s chip industry is in overdrive. But this should not come at the expense of worker safety. It’s time for the sector to scale not just fast—but responsibly,” said Prof. Li Ming-shan, a labor policy expert at National Cheng Kung University.
🔍 FAQs
What is TSMC’s CoWoS plant in Chiayi?
The CoWoS (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) plant is an advanced chip packaging facility under construction in Chiayi County. It is part of TSMC’s expansion into high-performance AI chip infrastructure.
What caused the fatal accident at the site?
A transformer box fell off a forklift due to uneven ground at the site and struck a nearby worker, who later died in hospital.
Who was responsible for the worker?
The victim was employed by a third-party contractor working under TSMC. The company has pledged to assist in the investigation and aftermath.
What happens next?
TSMC has halted construction. The Ministry of Labor will investigate the contractor, and safety enforcement across semiconductor construction sites may be tightened.
How will this affect the Chiayi CoWoS plant timeline?
While TSMC has not announced delays, construction is paused. Any future delay depends on the investigation outcome and updated safety measures.
