Fully Equipped with Heating and Cooling,
Self-Sufficient Power with Solar Energy
Buyeo County in South Chungcheong Province will become the first in the country to establish "heatwave shelters" for agricultural workers.
On June 18, Buyeo County announced that it will invest a total of 160 million won to install shelters in rural areas with a high concentration of workers, such as greenhouse clusters. These shelters will be equipped to protect against both heatwaves and cold snaps.
This initiative is being pursued following the revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Farmland Act on June 2, which now allows shelters to be installed on farmland.
As a result, the working conditions for agricultural workers are expected to improve, with significant benefits anticipated for health protection, including the prevention of heat-related illnesses.
The shelters will be installed in the form of two separate containers, one each for male and female workers. They will be fully equipped with heating and cooling facilities, enabling them to provide relief not only during summer heatwaves but also in winter cold snaps.
In particular, considering the outdoor environments where power supply is often difficult, the shelters will be integrated with a 3kW solar power generation system, allowing them to be self-sufficient in electricity. Any surplus power will be stored to further enhance the operational efficiency of the shelters.
The county plans to have local village associations manage and operate the shelters, ensuring that residents can use them safely and comfortably.
Park Junghyun, the county governor, stated, "Buyeo County has become the first in the country to establish shelters within agricultural promotion zones, which was previously difficult due to legal restrictions. This is a symbolic example of Buyeo County's strong commitment to proactively responding to climate change and improving the quality of life for agricultural workers."
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