By Jordan Wilcox
Assistant Publisher
For the second time in less than two months, there’s been another major accident at LG Energy Solution. On Saturday, September 6th, there was a massive chemical spill at the Fillmore Township plant responsible for producing electric vehicle batteries, such as those in the Mustang Mach-E.
According to a press release from the Holland Fire Department (HFD), crews were dispatched to the facility at 875 E 48th Street at 3:26 pm, where, upon arrival, they quickly identified an unknown chemical spill within the facility.
With help from the Graafschap Fire Department, the HFD initiated hazardous materials protocols, secured the scene, and ensured the safety of employees and surrounding areas. Specialized teams were brought in to conduct cleanup operations and ensure the facility was safe and secure. The spill was contained on site, and there was no threat to the public outside the immediate area of the facility.
Due to their rapid response, no life-threatening injuries were reported, but 16 individuals were rushed to area hospitals. WOOD-TV News 8 reported that four each were sent to Holland Hospital and Corewell Zeeland Hospital, but were found to be in good condition and never admitted. The other eight were treated in the ER of University of Michigan Health-West in Wyoming and have since been released.
This incident comes less than two months after another horrific catastrophe on the LG factory floor. In late July, 34-year-old Kim Jong Won was installing a new machine when it inadvertently activated, crushing his head and neck between a frame and lifting mechanism.
The Holland Department of Public Safety’s report shows that Won was employed by LG PRI, a vendor of the factory, who was tasked with working on the automation of their machinery. It also says that officials at the scene declared him “clearly deceased,” and no life-saving attempts were made.
Both of these events are now under investigation by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), along with a slew of other alleged violations.
MIOSHA records show that between 2021 and 2024, the state filed over 20 formal citations against the plant.
Of those, 13 were flagged as serious, meaning they could’ve caused death, and two were flagged as willful, meaning LG “either knowingly failed to comply with a legal requirement (purposeful disregard) or acted with plain indifference to employee safety.” Two were also repeat citations.
The citations list numerous infractions committed by LG, including those related to hazard communication, control of hazardous energy, training, and failure to abate. Each carries a hefty fine, but the parties are allowed to negotiate.
The two willful citations involved the lockout/tagout of machines or “the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.” Each of these citations carried a $70,000 penalty.
WOOD-TV News 8 determined that all of LG’s infractions would have totaled just under $300,000, but OSHA settled for just under $90,000.
In addition to Saturday’s disaster in Holland, another LG Energy Solution facility, their joint manufacturing plant with Hyundai Motors in Ellabell, Georgia, also became embroiled in controversy this past week. On Thursday, September 4th, the Department of Homeland Security carried out the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in United States history, arresting 475 people.
Wilcox Newspapers was unable to find any statement from LG about the recent events, but was able to confirm that they are committed to working with investigators in Holland and Lansing. In a previous statement to the Holland Sentinel, LG External Affairs/Government Relations Manager Philip Lienert said that “safety remains our highest priority.”
