Update regarding illness cases in Luleå

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.

Questions and Answers

What does it mean that the police are investigating the work environment at SSAB’s construction site?

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

How long will work remain paused at the construction site?

Work will resume only when it can be carried out safely.

What is your response to information that subcontractor employees previously fell ill at the site?

We follow all regulations concerning work environment and report deficiencies or incidents to the supervisory authority. When subcontractors are involved, they are responsible for reporting to the Work Environment Authority, which has been done.

Will this affect the timeline for the new steel mill?

To date, the events and related work stoppage have not had any material impact on the timeline or budget for the construction of the electric steel mill in Luleå, nor on SSAB’s operational or financial performance.

What is the cause of the illness cases?

We cannot currently say with certainty what the root cause is. Sampling continues so we can confirm or exclude possible causes.

When will you know more?

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

How are you conducting measurements?

Expanded measurements are currently being carried out in air, soil and construction machinery. This expansion means more measurement points and additional personnel to test and analyse. The purpose is to obtain results that can explain the symptoms previously reported. Measurements are based on earlier findings.

Gas measurements conducted on 2 April showed elevated values inside an operator cabin.

Previous measurements in air and soil have not shown elevated values.

SSAB also continuously measures emissions from existing operations, and these are within permitted levels. More than 2,000 samples have been analysed at the site since 2022.

How many people have been affected?

In connection with earthworks for the new steel mill in Luleå, approximately 20 individuals employed by subcontractors have reported illness symptoms, of whom seven have sought medical care. Five required medical treatment, in some cases hospital care. As far as we know, none of them are currently receiving hospital treatment. SSAB cannot comment on the condition of individual persons.

Should people be concerned about what is happening?

A safe workplace is SSAB’s highest priority. We have paused all work at the construction site and expanded measurements. Work will resume only when it can be done safely.