Wanju County Conducts Joint Inspection for Heat Illness Prevention and Safety Management

Wanju Agricultural Technology Center and Jeonju Employment Center Participate

North Jeolla Province's Wanju County, in cooperation with the Jeonju Employment Center, conducted a joint inspection for "heat-related illness prevention and safety management" at major agricultural worksites within the county.

According to the county on July 25, this inspection was carried out to prevent heat-related illnesses such as dehydration and heatstroke that may occur during agricultural work, and to ensure the health and safety of workers, as heat wave advisories have been frequently issued recently.

The joint inspection involved the Wanju County Agricultural Technology Center, the Foreign Workforce Team of the Jeonju Employment Center, and the Industrial Accident Prevention Division. The inspection targeted strawberry farms in Samnye-eup that operate under the Employment Permit System and the Seasonal Worker Program.

The main inspection items included: ▲ recommending rest and water intake and managing temperature and humidity in preparation for heat waves ▲ checking the installation of sunshades and the availability of cooling and cooling supplies ▲ monitoring workers’ health and establishing emergency response systems ▲ and inspecting the safety of workers’ accommodations.

At the sites, the inspection team directly provided agricultural workers with heat illness prevention leaflets (translated into their native languages) as well as preventive supplies such as saline glucose and ice water, and recommended refraining from working during the hottest hours of the day.

Judis (38, Samnye-eup), a worker of Filipino nationality, said, "Unlike in the Philippines, the heat here is humid and oppressive, so I was very concerned, but this inspection and the provision of emergency supplies have been very helpful."

Choi Janghyuk, Director of the Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "This summer is forecast to be hotter and longer than usual, so safety at agricultural sites is more important than ever," adding, "We will continue to provide practical on-site support by working closely with the Employment Center."

Meanwhile, the county plans to continue a variety of preventive activities in response to the heat wave, including: ▲ distributing agricultural work safety guidelines ▲ conducting group education on heat illness prevention ▲ and implementing one-on-one management of foreign workers using marriage immigrant honorary ambassadors.