TSMC

Taiwan's Chiayi District Prosecutors Office indicted 7 contractor personnel for negligent homicide in September 2026 over a July 16, 2025 accident in which a 383kg water supply pipe fell from height and killed a cleaning worker at TSMC's Chiayi advanced packaging facility, after support brackets installed days earlier were found to be improperly anchored and workers were given only incomplete, incorrect verbal instructions instead of proper training. It was the fourth workplace safety incident at the facility within roughly two months: a May 20, 2025 scaffolding fall caused severe injury, a worker was struck by a forklift, and a May 26, 2025 incident in which a falling transformer during relocation killed a 29-year-old construction worker (separately prosecuted). TSMC's own supplier sustainability standards require safe working conditions and proper safety training, which multiple Taiwanese outlets reported were not followed by on-site contractors.

TSMC announced formal SBTi commitment April 2025 with roadmap: peak emissions 2025, reduce to 2020 levels by 2030 with RE60 (60% renewable energy), achieve RE100 by 2040 (accelerated from 2050 after NGO pressure), net-zero by 2050. Launched GREEN Agreement requiring 50+ suppliers (90% of supply chain emissions) to reach 85% renewable energy in Taiwan and 100% overseas by 2030. 22 consecutive years in Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

In March 2025, TSMC announced over $100 billion in US investments at an event with President Trump at their Arizona facility. The company is building multiple advanced chip fabs in Phoenix as part of US efforts to onshore semiconductor manufacturing under the CHIPS Act.

In November 2024, former TSMC employees filed a class action lawsuit alleging systematic discrimination against non-Taiwanese/Chinese workers at the Arizona facility. The lawsuit claims Taiwanese managers subjected workers to a hostile environment with constant berating, demands for unpaid overtime, and questions like 'Are all union workers this slow?' Employees reported 10-15 Americans left due to discrimination in one year. The company's Arizona workforce is described as 'grossly disproportionate' with most workers from Taiwan or China.

Over 30 current and former employees filed a class action lawsuit against TSMC alleging systematic discrimination against American and non-Asian workers at the Arizona facility. Plaintiffs claim foreign workers from Taiwan received preferential treatment while American workers faced hostile conditions and were denied promotions. The lawsuit also raised CHIPS Act compliance concerns.

On May 15, 2024, 41-year-old Cesar Anguiano-Guitron died at TSMC's Arizona facility when a container of over-pressurized sulphuric acid exploded. Arizona OSHA cited TSMC for failing to keep the workplace free from hazards likely to cause death or serious harm, finding violations including over-pressurization, harmful material exposure, and falling debris risks. Workers reported lack of clear emergency guidance and cell phone signal issues that delayed emergency response. The fine was only $16,131.

A worker died at TSMC's Phoenix, Arizona construction site in May 2024. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the company approximately $16,000 for workplace safety violations. Critics noted the minimal fine relative to TSMC's size and the billions in federal subsidies it receives.

TSMC's Arizona expansion received serious scrutiny for poor treatment of workers. Allegations include: engineers tasked with taking out construction workers' garbage, Taiwanese managers yelling at workers in public despite training, workers forced to fake test results on production wafers to meet impossible expectations. Many Americans left during Taiwan training phase. Employee reviews cite 'absolute cesspool of OSHA violations, employee rights violations and labor law violations' with management retaliation against those speaking out. Glassdoor rating: 3.3/5.

TSMC has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company aims for 100% renewable energy use at production sites and has invested in water recycling and emissions reduction technologies across its manufacturing facilities.

TSMC accounts for 150,000 tonnes of water per day (equivalent to 170,000 US households) and 6.4% of Taiwan's national electricity. Southern Taiwan Science Park facilities alone consume 99,000 tonnes daily. Taiwanese farmers are paid to keep fields fallow so water that would go to agriculture can feed semiconductor plants. During droughts, plants ordered to reduce consumption by 15% but TSMC resorted to buying truckloads of water and drilling drought-resistant wells.

TSMC consumes approximately 150,000 tonnes of water per day and 6.4% of Taiwan's national electricity. During Taiwan's worst drought since 1964 (2021-2023), rice farmers were barred from planting crops for three consecutive years while TSMC received priority water access. Water consumption surged 70% from 2015-2019. By April 2023, reservoirs were at 11-30% capacity. The company accounts for 101 million metric tons annual water consumption in a country facing projected 680,000 cubic meter daily supply deficit by 2036.

TSMC launched Southern Taiwan Science Park Reclaimed Water Plant in 2022, converting treated wastewater to industrial supply with 36,000 tonnes daily capacity by 2026 (60% of local demand by 2030). In 2024, introduced Ammonia Nitrogen Wastewater Diversion system at Fab 20 Phase 1, achieving 40% reduction in discharged wastewater conductivity and 30% cut in chemical reagent use. Arizona facility will recycle 90%+ water by 2028, up from 65% current rate.