[The Economics of Heatwaves④] When Over 35℃, Work 30 Minutes and Rest 30 Minutes... Industries Also Struggle to Survive Summer

Hyundai Heavy Industries President Lee Sang-gyun is handing out fruit punch to employees and cheering together. Photo by Hyundai Heavy Industries

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] "Enjoy some refreshing hwachae and drinks to stay strong!"

Amid the sweltering heat with temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Celsius, executives and department heads at Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Shipyard handed out beverage bottles filled with watermelon hwachae. Summer is a challenging season for shipyard workers who must wear thick protective gear such as welding suits for safety while working outdoors. Hyundai Heavy Industries provides 15,000 bottles of frozen water at major buildings and work sites, striving to ensure employees take sufficient breaks and replenish their energy.

As the heatwave intensifies, the industrial sector is sweating to help employees stay healthy through the summer. To protect their workers' health, companies are shortening work hours, significantly increasing rest periods, and offering nourishing foods, refreshing drinks, and cooling jackets to enhance employee comfort.

◆Blast furnaces reach 1500℃... Steel and shipbuilding industries struggle to beat the heat= According to industry sources on the 27th, companies with many outdoor operations such as steel and shipbuilding are actively responding to the heatwave. Employee health and work convenience are directly linked to productivity for these companies.

Steel mills working alongside blast furnaces exceeding 1500 degrees Celsius are also facing the heat. Since last month, POSCO has been granting additional rest time according to heatwave levels to protect workers' health and has extended lunch breaks by 30 minutes starting this month, operating flexibly. In particular, when the perceived temperature rises above 35 degrees Celsius, workers performing tasks vulnerable to high heat such as heavy lifting, working at heights, or handling fire are given 30 minutes of work followed by 30 minutes of rest. They also supply saline glucose and nutritional supplements to field workers and have set up sleeping rooms for shift workers during the hottest periods. Shade tents and ice packs are also provided as cooling equipment.

Hyundai Steel prevents heat exhaustion by providing ice cream snacks once daily to all employees and frequently supplying drinks and watermelon. Besides offering nourishing meals, they have installed hot and cold water dispensers and saline glucose at work sites. Cooling jackets are distributed, and rest times are fully guaranteed.

The shipbuilding industry, which involves many outdoor tasks, is also taking care of employee health. Hyundai Heavy Industries operates a concentrated vacation system during the hottest season to help as many employees as possible avoid the heat and rest. Additionally, when the temperature reaches a certain level (28 degrees Celsius or higher), lunch breaks are extended by 20 minutes to ensure sufficient rest. During the hottest periods, rest time can be extended up to 30 minutes. Over 1,200 large air conditioners and 187 ice makers and 755 water coolers have been installed at outdoor sites to cool the heat and prevent dehydration. Saline glucose is also stocked, and items such as cool scarves and air cooling jackets are provided to field workers.

The final molten iron extraction work before the end of blast furnace operation is underway at Blast Furnace No. 1 of POSCO Pohang Steelworks. The photo is not directly related to the article. Photo by POSCO

Samsung Heavy Industries also extends lunch breaks by 30 minutes when the outdoor temperature exceeds 28.5 degrees Celsius and by one hour when it exceeds 32.5 degrees Celsius to help employees rest. This measure aims to prevent heatstroke caused by excessive work. They have installed portable air conditioners and provide air cooling jackets, as well as installed 115 ice makers so workers can drink ice water during work.

Daewoo Shipbuilding also provides ice water, drinks, and nourishing meals and has installed ice makers. They distribute air cooling jackets and extend lunch breaks from 30 minutes to one hour depending on the day's temperature.

◆Industry meticulously manages heat measures to avoid violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act= Most automobile factories have air conditioning installed, so the impact of heatwaves is minimal. However, Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant has extended the summer uniform period from the usual two months (July to August) to four months (June to the end of September) to prepare for the hot season. Additionally, to boost worker morale, they distribute 40,000 ice cream products daily during the hottest season and have installed ice buckets and ice makers in cafeterias.

Home appliance and semiconductor factories such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and SK Hynix manufacture products indoors, maintaining a constant temperature with air conditioning. Especially semiconductor production lines maintain consistent temperature and humidity year-round regardless of heatwaves, ensuring no disruption to work.

In particular, companies are putting more effort into preventing heat-related illnesses among workers this year as the Serious Accidents Punishment Act is enforced. According to the enforcement decree of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, "heatstroke accompanied by deep body temperature rise caused by work in places exposed to high heat or heatwaves" is specified as an occupational disease.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, from 2016 to last year, there were a total of 182 industrial accident cases due to heat-related illnesses during summer heatwaves. Among them, 29 people (15.9%) died. In response to the early heatwave this year and the surge in heat-related illnesses, the Ministry plans to operate a "special heatwave response inspection period" until the 19th of next month.