Air Conditioner Installer's Death in Jangseong Last August
Police Refer Case for Negligence, But Labor Office Finds 'No Fault'
"Work Suspension and Breaks Must Now Be Legal Rights"
"What are we trying to rescue, and whose lives are we aiming to protect as a society?"
During the ongoing summer heatwave, the survival of outdoor workers still remains an individual responsibility.
On the morning of August 19 last year, in front of the Gwangju Regional Employment and Labor Office, the family of a worker in his 20s who collapsed and died from heatwave during the Gwangju-Jeonnam Labor Safety and Health Keeper's press conference urging measures to prevent major heatwave disasters is crying out loud. Photo by Yonhap News
On August 13 last year, in the cafeteria of a middle school in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, 27-year-old worker Yang Junhyuk, who was on his second day at work, collapsed from symptoms of heatstroke while installing an air conditioner. The company did not immediately call an ambulance. Yang was left lying in the school flowerbed for more than 50 minutes. Only then was an emergency call made to 119, and he was transported to a hospital, where he died. The cause of death was heatstroke.
On July 2, Son Sangyong, executive director of the Labor Safety Keeper, described this incident as a "structural disaster" in an interview with this newspaper. Son stated, "Heatstroke is an acute illness caused by the breakdown of the body's temperature regulation, and the fatality rate exceeds 50 percent." He added, "However, in most workplaces, there is neither an adequate response system nor a proper place to rest."
Son pointed out that the Ministry of Employment and Labor's guidelines of "water, shade, and rest" are not being implemented at worksites. He said, "Taking a break has become something workers must be wary of, and for subcontracted or migrant workers, it is even more difficult to rest. Many believe simply providing water is enough, and rest facilities are either too far away or nonexistent."
Regarding Yang's death, in December last year, the police referred the CEO of the subcontractor Eugene Tech System and two site supervisors to the prosecution on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death. However, in June this year, the Gwangju Regional Labor Office cleared both Samsung Electronics, the principal contractor, and Eugene Tech System officials of all charges of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. The authorities determined that, since the work was indoors and water was available on site, there was no violation of preventive measures.
On the afternoon of the 2nd, during the ongoing heatwave, outdoor electrical workers climbed a high-altitude work vehicle to maintain power lines on a road in Wolsan-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun
Son said, "Even though coworkers witnessed Yang's heatstroke symptoms and the call for help was made only after a significant delay, the labor office concluded there was no problem. The bereaved family simply cannot accept this decision."
He emphasized the need to overhaul the structure of worksites themselves. He argued that work stoppages should be mandatory during heatwave warnings, and wage compensation for such stoppages should be institutionalized. The installation of cooling facilities, drinking water stations, and rest areas must also be mandated, and violations should carry legal consequences. Son stressed, "This is not just a weather issue. The law and system must function to protect lives."
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