[2021 Asia Construction Awards] Hanwha Construction Strengthens System with ESG Management and Zero Serious Accidents Goal

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Hanwha Construction is actively strengthening its systems, including expanding its safety and health management organization, to simultaneously enhance ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management and achieve zero major accidents.

This year, Hanwha Construction established the position of CSO (Chief Safety Officer) directly under the CEO and reorganized its structure by expanding the Safety Management Team into the Safety Management Office. Additionally, a ‘Major Accident ZERO Declaration Ceremony’ was held at all sites nationwide, pledging to prioritize the protection of workers' lives and health as the foremost indicator of corporate management and to fully support safety and health.

Safety and health management, directly linked to human life, is a core area of corporate social responsibility within ESG management. The construction industry is also focusing efforts on proactively responding to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which will be enforced next year, and on establishing a prevention-centered safety system.

Photo from the "Zero Serious Accident Declaration Ceremony" held last May. Partners and worker representatives attended together.

In particular, Hanwha Construction has been operating the mobile safety management system ‘HS2E’ since 2017. HS2E, developed in-house by Hanwha Construction, allows anyone to take photos of hazards or safety-related improvements at construction sites using their mobile phones, which are then instantly shared with other employees to take action. This system accumulates accident prevention data to establish better safety measures.

On-site safety training and support for partner companies are also being expanded. Through ESH (Environment, Safety, and Health) Academy training, Hanwha Construction plans to continuously enhance the safety and health capabilities of its employees and those of its partners. In response to COVID-19, the company actively utilizes non-face-to-face training methods, such as producing its own safety training videos. Partner companies with frequent accidents or weak safety and health systems will improve their autonomous safety management capabilities through safety and health consulting.

The company is also actively encouraging the introduction of new technologies in safety management. While applying idea technologies tailored to the characteristics of each construction site, highly effective technologies are adopted company-wide, driving change through the fusion of safety and technology. For example, BIM (Building Information Modeling) design technology has been applied in projects such as the Bismayah New City construction in Iraq and the remodeling of the Hanwha Building in Janggyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. This technology allows the construction process to be viewed in 3D from the design stage and contains various information such as the attributes of building components, construction sequence, and quantity calculations, greatly enhancing understanding of the building. This enables correction of design errors to minimize construction mistakes and proactive identification and response to potential risks.

Choi Kwang-ho, CEO of Hanwha Construction, stated, "Last year, thanks to the efforts of all employees and site members, there were no fatal accidents at Hanwha Construction. Safety is no longer a choice but a necessity and a social promise, and we will surely achieve zero fatal accidents again this year."