Construction workers eat ice cream to cool off from the sweltering heat during a break at an apartment construction site in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, on July 20, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 22 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean builders are enhancing on-site management and establishing work standards to better prepare for the scorching summer heat.
Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. has implemented a policy that requires field workers to take regular rest breaks and halt outdoor work when the perceived temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius.
The company also guarantees the “work exclusion right.”
If workers experience any abnormal health conditions and request to be excused from work, they are immediately relieved from their tasks, and they will be compensated for the loss of daily pay for the remaining work hours.
HDC Hyundai Development Co. has decided to monitor the health conditions of field workers by deploying safety patrol teams from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the temperature exceeds 31 degrees Celsius.
In particular, the company operates shelters equipped with air-conditioning facilities and refreshing beverages. They also have a rest time notification system in place to enforce mandatory breaks.
Meanwhile, Hanwha Corp.’s engineering and construction division has designated a special management period until September 15th.
During this period, they will ensure the provision of clean water and salt at all of its construction sites.
Additionally, they will manage sanitary conditions by assigning dedicated personnel responsible for the management of ice cube makers.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
