Minister of Employment: "Legal Action Will Be Taken If Emergency Workers Are Neglected Between 2 and 5 PM"

Minister An Kyung-duk Visits Goyang Logistics Center
Emphasizes Regulation of Heatstroke under Serious Accident Punishment Act

Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk (wearing a yellow vest). (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] An Kyung-duk, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated on the 5th, "If a worker in critical condition due to an industrial accident is left unattended between 2 PM and 5 PM, work will be ordered to stop, and legal action will be taken if there is non-compliance." This reflects an increase in regulatory intensity by classifying heatstroke as a serious accident under the Serious Accident Punishment Act enforcement decree.

Minister An made these remarks around 3 PM on the same day during a visit to a logistics center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Whether indoors or outdoors, sufficient water, shade, and appropriate rest time must be provided according to the heatstroke prevention implementation guide, and this applies equally to logistics centers.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has designated the period from today until the 20th as a "Special Heatwave Response Week" to strengthen guidance and supervision of workplaces for heatstroke prevention and to receive special reports related to heatwave risk situations. They also informed that if employers fail to provide adequate water, shade, and rest, reports can be made by calling 1588-3088.

According to the Industrial Safety and Health Act, when the apparent temperature remains above 35°C for two or more consecutive days and the Korea Meteorological Administration issues a heatwave warning, if a worker shows symptoms suspected of heat-related illness such as dizziness, nausea, or vomiting while working outdoors during the hot hours from 2 PM to 5 PM, the employer must stop outdoor work during that time.

The Ministry stated that if the employer continues work despite the urgent risk situation, work will be ordered to stop immediately, and legal measures will be taken if there is non-compliance. For workers performing tasks outdoors directly exposed to heatwaves, the employer will be ordered to stop work if they fail to comply with corrective measures such as providing water, shade, and rest.

Minister An emphasized, "To prevent heatstroke, please stop outdoor work as much as possible during the hot hours from 2 PM to 5 PM during heatwaves," and added, "If work is not stopped despite the imminent risk of industrial accidents, legal action will be taken."