BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) – New details released from an Occupational Safety and Health Administration report show the events that led up to the death of a CEO at a Georgia industrial site in March 2025.
The files are from OSHA’s recently closed investigation into the death of 45-year-old Sunbok You, the CEO of Hyundai subcontractor SBY America. The company was ultimately fined just under $10,000 for his death.
Safety violations cited in fatal incident
According to OSHA’s findings, You was on the HL-GA Battery Company construction site on March 21 speaking to some of his workers when he decided to walk across the road. He was then struck by the forklift and killed.
The report said You was wearing an eye patch on his right eye as well as a black vest. However, under HL-GA Battery Company rules, he should have been wearing a high-visibility green vest.
Statements given to OSHA by a safety manager, which had to be translated, said the person driving the forklift was talking on the phone while driving. Once he was off the forklift, he “ran away” without checking on You.
The report also said the forklift driver worked for a separate contractor, Beyond Iron Construction.
Companies fined for safety violations
OSHA opened an investigation into HL-GA Battery Company, SBY America, Beyond Iron Construction and Steel Brothers Development following You’s death. Three of those companies received fines.
Beyond Iron Construction received the largest fine of $16,550. OSHA found the company exposed employees to “struck-by and crushing hazards” and did not ensure forklift operators were following traffic regulations, including speed limits, use of spotters and horn use when vision was obstructed.
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