On July 20, a 50-ton trailer overturned during construction at TSMC's new CoWoS advanced packaging facility in Taiwan's Chiayi Science Park, marking the fifth workplace accident in just over two months. The incident occurred while the trailer was turning at the AP7 job site adjacent to the CoWoS plant. Authorities suspect overloading may have contributed to the accident, but no injuries were reported.

This follows a string of serious construction accidents at the site. On May 2, a resting worker was run over by a passing forklift, suffering a shattered lower leg. On May 20, a worker fell from a fourth-story scaffold and was left paralyzed. Then on May 26, a 29-year-old man was killed when a 2-ton electrical switchboard tipped during equipment installation. On July 16, a 380kg chilled water pipe fell, fatally striking a female cleaning worker. The latest accident on July 20 brings the total to two deaths and two serious injuries.

In response, Taiwan's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered a suspension of all mechanical and electrical engineering work at the Chiayi CoWoS plant. The Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration (STSPA), which does not yet hold labor inspection authority in Chiayi, said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary support.

Adding to public unease, local media reported that TSMC contractors recently invited spiritual figures such as the Earth God and Kṣitigarbha (Dìzàng Wáng) to the site in a traditional ritual, hoping to prevent further tragedies—a move that has drawn both public interest and concern about site morale.

The construction site has already faced delays once before. In 2024, work on the P1 plant was temporarily halted due to archaeological finds, including cord-marked pottery, stone tools, animal bones, and several human remains believed to be part of ancient burials. Excavations were completed before work resumed.

While TSMC has emphasized that safety is a top priority, sources in the supply chain acknowledged that ensuring safety under accelerated construction schedules remains a significant challenge. Despite receiving earlier clearance to resume work, the company reportedly postponed reactivation to ensure all safety protocols were fully implemented.

As TSMC races to expand its advanced chip packaging capacity, the spate of recent incidents has drawn increased regulatory and public scrutiny, highlighting the growing tension between rapid industrial development and on-site safety management.