Government to Implement 'Emergency Protection Measures for Workers Against Heatwaves'
Applicable to Public Institution Construction Sites, etc.
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] On the 25th, the government announced that it will jointly implement the "Emergency Protection Measures for Workers Against Heatwaves" with related ministries to prevent industrial accidents such as heatstroke caused by heatwaves. Construction sites nationwide will be guided to halt work during the hottest hours from 2 to 5 p.m. This means focusing on heatstroke, which is classified as a major industrial accident under the Enforcement Decree of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor, together with the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, plans to conduct intensive inspections until the end of next month at about 60,000 construction sites nationwide to ensure proper suspension of work during the hottest hours. They will also check compliance with heatstroke prevention rules, such as providing workers with sufficient water, shade, and rest.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor will also promote heatstroke prevention rules through biweekly workplace safety inspections and plans to include not only construction sites but also logistics centers, shipyards, and steel mills where work is performed in high-temperature indoor environments in the inspection targets.
Additionally, for construction sites commissioned by national and public institutions, guidelines will be issued to prevent excessive work to ensure compliance with construction periods. According to relevant laws, if the commissioning agency temporarily suspends construction due to heatwaves, the contract period can be extended or the contract amount adjusted for the suspension period, and delay penalties for the delayed construction period can be waived.
Furthermore, to expand heatwave countermeasures to the private sector, meetings involving affiliated organizations and construction-related associations will be held to request adjustments to outdoor working hours and temporary suspension of construction.
From 2016 to last year, over five years, there were 156 cases of heat-related illnesses due to heatwaves during the summer months (June to August), with 26 deaths among them.
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