Guest worker seriously injured at CATL battery plant construction site in Hungary – Video

A serious workplace accident occurred at the construction site of the battery factory operated by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) in Debrecen, leaving a worker hospitalised after a fall from height.

The incident was first reported by Zsolt Tárkányi, a parliamentary candidate of Hungary’s Tisza Party in Hajdú-Bihar County, who said a Mongol (first reports said Chinese) guest worker fell from a significant height while working on the site.

Worker fell from around three metres

CATL confirmed the accident in a statement on Friday, saying the incident occurred late Thursday morning during construction work at its Debrecen facility. According to the company, the injured worker, employed by a subcontractor, fell from a height of roughly three metres while carrying out his duties.

Emergency services were quickly alerted. Hungary’s National Ambulance Service reported that paramedics were dispatched to the scene for an injured man who remained conscious but suffered fractures and bruises.

Both an ambulance unit and an air ambulance helicopter were sent to the site, Telex reported. After receiving treatment on location, the worker was transported to hospital by ambulance.

Authorities and company launch investigation

The accident also triggered an official inquiry. The occupational safety authority of the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office said it was notified of the incident by the ambulance service. Following the alert, labour safety inspectors went to the scene and began examining the circumstances of the accident.

CATL stated that it has also launched an internal investigation together with the worker’s employer. The company added that the injured employee sustained injuries requiring more than eight days of recovery.

Additional safety measures introduced

Following the accident, CATL said it asked all subcontractors working at the Debrecen construction site to repeat occupational safety training sessions. The company also reminded contractors of their responsibility to ensure that work areas remain safe and that safety regulations are strictly followed.

The firm wished the injured worker a speedy recovery.

The Debrecen battery factory (one of Europe’s largest planned electric vehicle battery plants) has been the subject of public and political attention in Hungary, particularly regarding environmental concerns and the presence of foreign guest workers at the construction site.

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