POSCO E&C Activates Emergency Response Team for Heatwave to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

POSCO E&C announced on the 19th that it is carrying out heat illness prevention activities, including encouraging workers struggling in the scorching heat.

The 'ECO & REST' solar-powered mobile worker shelter developed by POSCO E&C last year / Photo by POSCO E&C

POSCO E&C has established a 'Heatwave Emergency Response Team' within the Safety and Health Center, led by Safety and Health Officer (CSO) Jeong Hwon-woo, to set up a constant response system. They monitor weather conditions at sites nationwide on a daily basis, provide guidance on rest times and precautions according to heatwave levels, and inspect the status of heat illness prevention facilities.

First, to specially manage outdoor and confined workspaces vulnerable to heat illness, they have strengthened prior approval procedures and check workers' health status before entering workspaces. They also manage compliance with the two-person team work rule. By guiding rest time operations and work restriction processes, work is conducted according to heatwave risk levels, and weekly blood pressure and vascular health measurements are taken to provide health consultations to workers.

Additionally, to ensure workers can rest comfortably, each site is equipped with sufficient rest facilities and cooling equipment to prepare for the heatwave. POSCO E&C President Jeon Jung-sun and heads of business divisions also visited the sites to personally check and encourage workers' working conditions. In line with the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s 'Heatwave Worker Health Protection Measures,' various heatwave prevention activities such as on-site health care visits, distribution of cool beverages, and on-site CPR training will be conducted.

Meanwhile, POSCO E&C developed the country’s first solar-powered mobile worker rest shelter, 'ECO & REST,' last year, supporting the installation of solar eco-friendly rest facilities in areas vulnerable to heatwaves and sites with power supply issues. Following the installation of 12 sites last year, up to 18 additional sites will be installed this year.

A POSCO E&C official stated, "We will continue to prioritize the safety and health of everyone working together as the top value in company management, and devote all efforts to preventing safety accidents through improvements in safety management systems and processes, and disaster risk prevention incorporating smart technologies."