Information on illness cases in Luleå

Update as of April 20

SSAB has been informed by NCC that SEKO has imposed a safety stop at the construction site. Safety is our highest and first priority. When the safety stop was imposed, the site had already been closed since SSAB decided to do so on 3 April as a precautionary safety measure. At present, we cannot state with certainty what the underlying cause of the reported illness cases is. We are continuing sampling and testing in order to confirm or rule out possible causes, so that the site can be reopened safely. As of 20 April, no abnormal values have been recorded.

Update as of April 17

Testing has continued, and no abnormal values have been recorded today

Update as of April 16

On 15 April, SSAB expanded the ongoing tests with an activity‑specific monitoring program. As of 16 April, no abnormal values have been identified.

Update as of April 15

Since all work was paused at the construction site on 3 April 2026, continuous air monitoring has been carried out across the entire area (with no ongoing activities).

The gases being monitored are hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂).

The results show no abnormal values at any of the monitored locations.

Scope of Planned Testing

SSAB now plans to carry out a controlled, activity-specific monitoring program involving construction machinery, with the purpose of assessing the working environment in and in the immediate vicinity of the machine cabins.

The monitoring program is divided into four phases. Each phase is evaluated separately and requires explicit approval before the next phase may commence.

Initial Implementation Plan

The initially approved activities include Phase 1 and Phase 3, which consist of idling tests without operators in the cabins, using two pairs of machines.

These measurements will be initiated on Wednesday, 15 April.

Follow-up Measurements

Phase 2 and Phase 4, i.e. testing during basic operation, will only be conducted provided that the results from Phase 1 and Phase 3 are assessed as satisfactory.

If the results in any phase do not meet the requirements, the process will be halted and a new assessment will be carried out before any further work is considered.

Protective Measures

SSAB and the contractors concerned will carry out risk assessments prior to the start of work.

As a minimum level of personal protective equipment, the following will be used:

• Compressed-air powered respiratory protection with full-face masks for all personnel involved, as a precautionary measure despite the fact that no elevated gas levels have been measured in the surrounding environment.
• Dust masks will also be used when necessary as additional protection in the event of weather-related variations in particle levels.

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Today, SSAB received information from the contractor Nåiden regarding a near miss that occurred on 17 March during work at the new pump station for the coke plant. According to the incident description, one individual is suspected of having been exposed to contaminated soil in connection with the work. Nåiden will report the incident to the Swedish Work Environment Authority. SSAB will also notify the Swedish Work Environment Authority of the incident. The near miss was reported to SSAB with a significant delay.

The work was carried out within the area that was notified to the County Administrative Board on 27 June 2025, “Excavation within a contaminated area in connection with the construction of a new pump station at the coke plant, SSAB Luleå.” The subcontractor Nåiden has been commissioned to carry out excavation works, including within this area, where action or remediation plans have been prepared and implemented following notification and in accordance with decisions from the supervisory authority.

The previously reported symptoms of illness have not been linked to areas with soil contamination levels exceeding applicable limit values.

Update as of 13 April

The previously expanded measurements are continuing, and no deviations have been identified since the last update.

Update as of 10 April

The measurements at the construction site for SSAB’s new steel mill in Luleå are continuing, and no deviations have been observed. A new update will be provided on Monday, 13 April.

Update as of 9 April

The Swedish Work Environment Authority conducted a planned inspection of the construction site for SSAB’s new steel mill in Luleå on 9 April. The inspection is part of the Authority’s supervisory mandate.

The purpose of the inspection is fact‑finding and dialogue. We welcome the inspection and regard it as an important part of ensuring a safe and secure work environment. SSAB is supporting the Work Environment Authority in its continued work.

Following the test results from 2 April, when elevated levels of NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide) and SO₂ (sulfur dioxide) were detected inside the cabin of a piece of construction equipment, the testing program at the site has been expanded. Gas measurements at multiple locations across the construction area have been ongoing since Saturday, 4 April 2026.

In summary, all measured gases – H₂S (hydrogen sulfide), CO (carbon monoxide), NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide) and SO₂ (sulfur dioxide) – have on average remained below the Work Environment Authority’s limit values for 8‑hour time‑weighted averages (indicating the permissible average exposure during a workday) and below the rolling 15‑minute short‑term limit values (indicating the maximum permissible short‑term exposure). No measured values have exceeded the applicable limits.

Measurements have been carried out in ambient air, with machinery engines turned off or idling. No construction work or machine‑operated activities have taken place during this period, and no operators have been present in the equipment cabins during the measurements.

Based on measurement results up to and including 9 April, there are no indications that air quality deviates from what would normally be expected in the area, or that it would pose any evident risk.

Ahead of and during construction, SSAB has carried out extensive soil investigations, both as part of the environmental permitting process and as complementary analyses as new areas have become accessible. Thousands of samples have been analysed for relevant substance groups. The results show that contamination is primarily located near the former coking plant and mainly consists of tar‑ and slag‑related substances. More information here https://www.ssab.com/en/company/soil-investigation-in-lulea

Update as of 7 April

SSAB has this afternoon noted media reports that the police are investigating potential workplace safety violations in connection with the illness cases at the construction site for SSAB’s new steel mill in Luleå. The company has not yet been contacted by the Police Authority and therefore has limited information. We will fully cooperate with the responsible authorities.

Work at the construction site remains paused and will resume only when it can be carried out safely.

Over the weekend, the program for measurements in air, soil and construction machinery was expanded. The measurements are based on previously identified results.

The expansion means an increased number of measurement points and additional personnel resources for testing and analysis. The purpose is to obtain results that can explain the symptoms previously reported.

During the Easter weekend, air measurements continued at the construction site while no machinery was in operation. No abnormal values were detected.

Update as of 4 April

In connection with earthworks for SSAB’s new steel mill in Luleå, a total of approximately 20 people employed by subcontractors have reported illness symptoms, of whom seven have sought medical care.

On 3 April, four cases of illness‑like symptoms were identified among employees of a subcontractor. All four sought medical attention. Previously, around fifteen individuals had reported illness‑like symptoms, of whom three had sought care.

SSAB does not comment on the condition of individual persons.

All work at the construction site has been paused since 3 April. Earlier, work had been paused in parts of the site when SSAB received information about symptoms or illness.

On 2 April, measurements were taken related to earlier work stoppages, assessing gas levels in ambient air and inside the cabin of a tracked vehicle used for excavation.

Gas concentrations in ambient air measured while no excavation was taking place were well below the Work Environment Authority’s applicable limits for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

Inside the cabin of the tracked vehicle, elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide were recorded during work, above the Work Environment Authority’s limit values. Measured values for hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide were below applicable limits. Operators wore fan‑assisted respiratory protective equipment during these measurements.

Based on the latest test results, sampling and measurement activities are now being expanded. When SSAB has previously received information about symptoms or illness cases, soil and air measurements have been carried out without detecting elevated levels.

SSAB continuously measures emissions from existing facilities in Luleå, and these remain within permitted levels.

Since the submission of the environmental permit application in 2022, more than 2,000 samples have been analysed at the construction site for the new steel mill.

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Questions and Answers

What is the cause of the reported illnesses?

At present, we cannot state with certainty what the underlying cause is. We are continuing sampling and testing in order to confirm or rule out possible causes.

When will you have answers?

Some measurements provide immediate results, while others require analysis and take longer. We do not want to speculate and will therefore comment on possible causes only when we have clear facts and a comprehensive picture. We will communicate measurement results on an ongoing basis.

How are measurements being carried out?

Expanded measurements are being conducted in air, soil and construction machinery. The expansion of measurements means that both the number of measuring points and the personnel resources for testing and analysis have been increased. The purpose is to obtain results that can explain the symptoms previously reported. The measurements are based on previously established findings.

Gas measurements carried out on 2 April showed elevated values in one operator cabin.

Measurements have previously been conducted in both air and soil without any elevated values being identified.

As of 15 April, a controlled, activity‑specific monitoring program is being carried out using a new set of construction machines, with the aim of assessing the working environment in and in the immediate vicinity of the machine cabins. The measurements are conducted with appropriate protective measures in place.

SSAB also continuously measures emissions from existing facilities, which are within permitted levels. At the construction site for the new steel mill, more than 2,000 samples have been analyzed from 2022 to date.

How many people are affected?

In total, approximately 20 individuals employed by subcontractors have experienced symptoms of illness, of whom seven sought medical care. Five of these required medical treatment, in some cases hospitalization. To our knowledge, none of them is currently receiving hospital care. SSAB cannot comment on the condition of individual persons.

When did these incidents occur?

• 26 January: The first case of illness among NCC’s subcontractors. It was later linked to the other cases and only then reported as a near miss.
• 19 February: Another case of illness, of which SSAB was informed. Work was paused and relocated to another area. Material used as backfill was replaced. Measurements were initiated without any abnormal results.
• 23 March: Additional symptoms were reported from the new location. All work under NCC was paused.
• 3 April: Symptoms were reported from another location involving different work activities. These individuals were working for the contractor Keller. All work across the entire construction site was paused and remains suspended.
• 15 April: SSAB received—after a significant delay—information about a near miss that occurred on 17 March. An individual employed by a subcontractor is suspected of having been exposed to contaminated soil during excavation work carried out within a contaminated area that was notified to the County Administrative Board on 27 June 2025. Previously reported symptoms of illness have not been linked to areas with soil contamination levels exceeding applicable limit values.

What type of ground works were carried out in the areas where symptoms occurred?

NCC carried out excavation work in preparation for piling. As part of the work, 1–2 meters of the topsoil (depending on frost depth and location within the construction site) were removed and subsequently replaced with fill material.

The near miss reported to SSAB on 15 April occurred in a contaminated area and in connection with a different type of work.

What known contaminants are present in the soil where work is being carried out?

The area where SSAB is constructing the new steel mill in Luleå has a long industrial history and has for many years been used for various types of processes and handling of by‑products. Please refer to the link to the summary of ground works in the update dated 9 April above.

How large is the contaminated area?

The contaminated area amounts to approximately 170,000 square meters, or about one‑tenth of the total construction area for the new steel mill in Luleå. Only one of the reported near misses occurred within a contaminated area. Since November 2025, excavation and remediation of approximately 50,000 square meters of contaminated soil around the coke plant has been carried out.

How do you ensure that people working on non‑contaminated land are not exposed to contaminated soil?

Where contaminated areas border areas with low or negligible contamination levels, protective zones are established. When developing former industrial land, it is common for certain contaminants to be encountered. These are managed in accordance with established procedures, applicable legislation and in close dialogue with the responsible authorities.

Who is responsible for reporting incidents at the construction site?

We comply with all regulations relating to the work environment and report deficiencies or accidents within our operations to the supervisory authority. When it comes to subcontractors, they are responsible for reporting to the Swedish Work Environment Authority. We are responsible for ensuring that this is done.

What does it mean that the police and the Swedish Work Environment Authority are investigating the work environment at SSAB’s construction site?

This occurs when there is suspicion that someone may have become ill due to deficiencies in the work environment and means that the circumstances will be investigated. SSAB is fully cooperating with the authorities during the investigation.

How long will work be paused at the construction site?

Work at the construction site will be resumed only when it can be done safely.

Will this affect the timeline for the new steel mill?

So far, the incidents and the related work stoppage have not had any material impact on the schedule or budget for the construction of the electric steel mill in Luleå, nor on SSAB’s operational or financial results.

Should people be concerned about what is happening?

A safe workplace is SSAB’s highest priority. All work at the construction site has been paused and measurements have been expanded. Work will be resumed only when it can be carried out safely.