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It's relatively easy to hide accident stats. It's very difficult to hide fatalities - especially over time. I would be unsurprised at better safety stats than

It's relatively easy to hide accident stats. It's very difficult to hide fatalities - especially over time. I would be unsurprised at better safety stats than the US. With DuPont as one of several exceptions, the safety culture in the USA is still one of compliance. The mining record is awful versus global large companies. Apple and other customers are able to demand and get certain requirements met. A key part of that would be safety, and the first rule is integrity in measurement. I've seen plants in Colombia and Mozambique operate at industry leading levels of safety. China can do it too - it really helps when you have a workforce that is motivated and eager for the relatively high paid work.

xenophanes 15y ago
Lots of jobs are way more dangerous than assembly iPads. How would you die while assembling an iPad? So a variety of US jobs against Foxconn isn't exactly comparing like with like. I think this stat can exonerate Foxconn work as pretty safe even by US standards without condemning the US.
- lancewiggs 15y ago
  Fair point about comparison with other USA industries. The overriding tone of the overall conversation (not just on HN) is whether Apple et al. are outsourcing to a place with lower standards, including safety. Comparing Foxconn stats to US norms is then a valid approach. > How would you die while assembling an iPad? Since you asked - here are some typical risks. Happily these are all mitigable. Falling from heights while in the store - for parts or for shipping. Hit by a moving light vehicle inside the factory - forklift etc Hit by a light or heavy vehicle outside the factory - e.g. when in loading operations Incorrect handling of hazardous materials resulting in explosion Incorrect handing of molten materials (plastics, metals) Poor guarding on major equipment catching clothes and dragging worker into equipment. Ditto with poor isolation equipment prior to maintenance (machine switched on while someone is inside it) Electrocution due to lack of isolation of electrified equipment before commencing maintenance work Inhalation of fumes and other toxic emissions Crushing by a press or other heavy industrial machine during operation, maintenance or installation Crushed by stacks of inventory (parts, finished product) falling Electrical fire or other sort of fire Food poisoning, collapse of building, any incidents in staff accommodation and so on.

xenophanes 15y ago

Lots of jobs are way more dangerous than assembly iPads. How would you die while assembling an iPad? So a variety of US jobs against Foxconn isn't exactly comparing like with like. I think this stat can exonerate Foxconn work as pretty safe even by US standards without condemning the US.

lancewiggs 15y ago
Fair point about comparison with other USA industries. The overriding tone of the overall conversation (not just on HN) is whether Apple et al. are outsourcing to a place with lower standards, including safety. Comparing Foxconn stats to US norms is then a valid approach. > How would you die while assembling an iPad? Since you asked - here are some typical risks. Happily these are all mitigable. Falling from heights while in the store - for parts or for shipping. Hit by a moving light vehicle inside the factory - forklift etc Hit by a light or heavy vehicle outside the factory - e.g. when in loading operations Incorrect handling of hazardous materials resulting in explosion Incorrect handing of molten materials (plastics, metals) Poor guarding on major equipment catching clothes and dragging worker into equipment. Ditto with poor isolation equipment prior to maintenance (machine switched on while someone is inside it) Electrocution due to lack of isolation of electrified equipment before commencing maintenance work Inhalation of fumes and other toxic emissions Crushing by a press or other heavy industrial machine during operation, maintenance or installation Crushed by stacks of inventory (parts, finished product) falling Electrical fire or other sort of fire Food poisoning, collapse of building, any incidents in staff accommodation and so on.