Ministry Issues Guidelines, Construction Firms Launch Campaigns
Hyundai, DL E&C, Hanwha and Others Roll Out Various Initiatives
Cool Shelters and Gift Boxes Introduced to Protect Workers
This month, as record-breaking heatwaves have swept across the country, construction sites have entered a heat illness alert status. With construction workers in outdoor environments increasingly exposed to high temperatures and suffering from various heat-related incidents, both the government and the construction industry have launched emergency response measures.
Hanwha Construction Division operates the 'Summer Safety Food Truck.' Construction workers eating patbingsu. Hanwha Construction Division.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on July 13, more than 1,200 people have been admitted to emergency rooms due to heat-related illnesses since mid-May, with 8 reported deaths. Of all patients, 81% were affected outdoors. The incidents primarily occurred in places exposed to direct sunlight, such as worksites (28.7%), fields (14.4%), and roadsides (13.9%).
In response, on July 9, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport urgently issued heatwave response guidelines to 17 metropolitan and provincial governments, affiliated agencies such as Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and Korea Expressway Corporation, and over 62,000 construction companies nationwide. Key guidelines include halting work during peak heat hours, providing cooling gear, installing rest facilities, and mandating at least 20 minutes of rest every 2 hours when the perceived temperature exceeds 33 degrees Celsius.
The construction industry is also responding swiftly. Hyundai Engineering & Construction has designated June to September as a special management period for extreme heat, distributing watermelon punch, ice cream, ion drinks, and cooling sleeves to all sites. HDC Hyundai Development Company is expanding cooling equipment and shelters through its 'Godureum Campaign.' DL E&C is promoting preventive measures such as "adding water and salt, subtracting work during heatwaves" through its 'Arithmetic Campaign.' Hoban Construction is operating the '31 STEP Campaign,' which enforces mandatory break times when the perceived temperature exceeds 31 degrees Celsius.
POSCO E&C has organized an emergency response team for the hot season and is rotating 'Mobile Cool Shelter' buses to construction sites. Lotte E&C has established step-by-step response protocols, such as mandating 20-minute breaks every 2 hours when the perceived temperature is 33 degrees Celsius, and restricting outdoor work when it exceeds 35 degrees Celsius. LH has deployed real-time perceived temperature monitors at sites and immediately suspends work if certain thresholds are exceeded.
Hanwha Construction Division has also joined these efforts. The company is operating the 'Summer Safety Food Truck' to encourage workers laboring in the summer heat. Until the end of September, the food truck will visit 51 sites nationwide, providing patbingsu to about 10,000 workers. At sites where the food truck cannot visit, 'gift boxes' containing fruit smoothies and desserts are provided instead.
Kim Taebyeong, Director of Technology and Safety Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "Construction workers are exposed to serious risks of heat-related illnesses due to the heatwave," and emphasized, "We will work closely with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and other related agencies to ensure that there are no further casualties."
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