[The Economics of Heatwaves③] "It's Hard to Endure Without Breaks"... Construction Sites at War with Heatwaves (On-site Report)

Visiting Anyang Construction Site Under Heatwave Warning
Burn Risk from Heated Rebar... No Shade When Pouring Concrete at the Top
Cooling Shelters Created and Air Conditioners Installed in Restrooms
"Reducing Work Hours and Increasing Breaks to Cope"
Small Construction Sites Still Struggling... "Heatwave 3 Major Rules Are Ineffective"

Workers are sweating as they work at the construction site of Pyeongchon Trizia in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Seoyul Hwang chestnut@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Hwang Seoyul] "I feel it’s getting hotter every year. I sweat so much that if I don’t shower more than three times a day, it’s hard to endure."

At around 3 p.m. on the 27th, when a heatwave advisory was issued, we visited the Pyeongchon Trizia construction site in Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. The heat exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, combined with the scorching cement, rebar, and asphalt, made the whole body feel hot even when standing still for a moment. The neck of a worker engaged in dismantling work was soaked with sweat. A worker who took off his helmet in the rest area had hair damp as if he had taken a shower with sweat. His cheeks, flushed red from the heat, were not easily cooled even by a portable air conditioner. Workers were constantly scooping ice from an ice maker installed at one corner of the construction site to beat the heat.

Workers unanimously agreed that summer construction sites are the toughest. Kim Gyutae (46), an electrician resting in the shelter, said, "Because it’s hot, we must take breaks. I take one oral rehydration salt every morning to replenish salt and keep drinking water to prevent heat-related illnesses; otherwise, it’s hard to endure." Another worker, Shin Byungju (27), said, "It’s hardest when lifting heavy things or climbing high places because there’s no shade. The rebar is heated and extremely hot."

Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the contractor, is responding to the heat by reducing working hours and increasing rest time during summer. Especially for concrete pouring workers who must work at the top without shade, they increased the workforce by about two people from June to August to allow alternating breaks. Air conditioners were also installed in restrooms to prepare for the heatwave. Site manager Kim Donggak said, "If the structure was 50 minutes of work and 10 minutes of rest, in summer, we extended rest time to 40 minutes of work and 20 minutes of rest. We also operate flexibly, such as starting work earlier when it’s too hot."

Construction site of Pyeongchon Trizia in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Workers are filling baskets with ice from an ice maker installed in a corner of the construction site. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

Other construction companies are also on high alert for managing site personnel. Due to the outdoor nature of construction work, sites are vulnerable to heat, and decreased work efficiency can directly affect the construction period (gonggi). A representative from a construction company said, "There are rarely cases where progress is restricted or the schedule is significantly delayed due to heatwaves," but added, "We are always on high alert because workers can suffer exhaustion or heatstroke."

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, from 2016 to 2021, 87 cases of heat-related illnesses occurred at construction sites during summer, accounting for nearly 48% of all industries, the highest number. Among them, 20 deaths were reported. A site manager at an apartment construction site in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, said, "Heat-related illnesses due to heatwaves are the biggest problem. Indoor workers doing finishing work can avoid the heatwave, but civil engineering workers and exterior contractors who must work outdoors are particularly vulnerable." Another construction site official said, "Workers wearing thick clothing for welding and sitting on hot rebar face great difficulties. The formwork material is aluminum, which, like rebar, poses a high risk of burns during framing."

In response, construction companies have established their own guidelines to manage workers during heatwaves. For example, Construction Company A created the "Three Major Compliance Rules for the Heatwave Period," continuously checking whether the three rules?water, shade, and rest?are properly followed. Construction Company B has a policy requiring more than 10 minutes of rest per hour when the perceived temperature exceeds 33 degrees Celsius. Outdoor work is shortened or stopped between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., when temperatures peak.

Construction site of Pyeongchon Trizia in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Workers are resting in a shelter set up at the construction site. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

However, there are concerns that small and medium-sized construction companies are more vulnerable to heatwave responses at sites. Although the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency has issued a heatstroke prevention implementation guide and recommends it to sites, it is not mandatory. The National Construction Workers’ Union said, "It is still a reality that many workers find it difficult to avoid sunlight or use restrooms smoothly during heatwaves."

As the heatwave period lengthens every year and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act is enforced, the burden on construction companies is also increasing. A business support team leader at a construction company said, "Since the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, costs related to heat illness prevention have increased significantly. We are allocating separate budgets to comply with related laws."