On the afternoon of May 29, Minister Kim Young-hoon led a meeting at the Government Sejong Center with executives from the top 20 construction firms to discuss strategies for preventing heat-related illnesses and expanding safety investments. This meeting follows a directive from the President during a Cabinet meeting to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat.
During the meeting, major construction companies, including Samsung C&T, Daewoo Engineering & Construction, and GS Engineering & Construction, shared their implementation status of the 'Five Basic Safety Rules for Heat Waves' and their summer safety management plans.
The construction firms explained that they are incorporating measures into their project schedules to stop outdoor work during heat waves when the perceived temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius and to cease all outdoor work, except for emergency tasks, when a severe heat warning is issued at 38 degrees Celsius.
They also reported enhancing their efforts to prevent heat-related illnesses by providing real-time safety information in workers' native languages through AI translation programs and mobile applications, as well as conducting health monitoring using smart safety equipment.
Additionally, they stated that processes exposed to high temperatures, such as concrete pouring, are being managed with two teams alternating shifts to balance work and rest, and that they are implementing early start times and adjusting work hours to minimize exposure during peak heat hours.
The Ministry has been operating a 'Special Task Force for Heat Safety' since May 15, which will continue until September 30, urging strict compliance with phased work stoppage measures at construction sites nationwide.
The government recommends adjusting work hours or shortening outdoor work during heat advisories when the perceived temperature exceeds 33 degrees Celsius, halting outdoor work from 2 PM to 5 PM during heat warnings at 35 degrees Celsius, and stopping all outdoor work, except for emergency tasks, during severe heat warnings at 38 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, the Ministry plans to conduct thorough inspections of the implementation of the 'Five Basic Safety Rules for Heat Waves,' which were legislated last year, including providing cool water, installing cooling devices, ensuring adequate rest, supplying cooling gear, and establishing a system for reporting heat-related illnesses to emergency services.
Minister Kim Young-hoon emphasized, "I urge construction sites to prioritize the lives of workers by extending deadlines to ensure the faithful implementation of the Five Basic Safety Rules for Heat Waves." He added, "Recognize that the losses from accidents far exceed the costs of prevention and strengthen investments in safety at construction sites. I ask that the CEOs of the top 20 construction firms personally oversee efforts to prevent heat-related fatalities and falls."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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