The government has stepped up efforts to prevent heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 23 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea braces for the sweltering summer months, the government has stepped up efforts to prevent heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers, fortifying weather forecasts and increasing inspections at vulnerable workplaces.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Meteorological Administration, the weather agency will provide customized heat wave impact forecasts for workers from now until the end of September, designated as the heat wave response period for workers.
On days when the heat risk level in industrial sectors reaches “caution” or higher, a forecast will be issued at 11:30 a.m., encompassing not only the regional risk levels and heat wave impact outlook featured in existing forecasts but also offering tailored guidance for workers on how to respond to different heat wave stages.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor recommends that at the “attention” stage, when the perceived temperature exceeds 31°C, employers should provide workers with water, shade, and rest periods. At the “caution” stage, above 33°C, it advises hourly 10-minute breaks and reduced outdoor work during the hottest hours of 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
If the perceived temperature surpasses 35°C, marking the “warning” stage, the ministry suggests 15-minute hourly breaks and a halt to outdoor work during peak heat hours, except when unavoidable. At the “danger” stage, above 38°C, it recommends suspending all outdoor work, barring emergency situations.
These heat wave impact forecasts will be relayed to regional offices of the Labor Ministry and then disseminated in real-time to workers through channels like KakaoTalk open chat rooms and construction workers’ electronic cards.
The ministry has streamlined the temperature criteria, previously combined with actual temperatures, to use only the perceived temperature, providing a perceived temperature calculator accessible via QR codes. It has also vowed to actively guide workplaces to ensure compliance with the recommended rest and outdoor work reduction or suspension measures.
The government has designated high-risk industries like construction, logistics, shipbuilding, and parcel delivery as heat-vulnerable sectors for focused management. Inspections will check adherence to preventive measures at 10,000 construction sites and small manufacturing facilities with fewer than 50 employees.
“To prevent heat-related illnesses, it is crucial to follow the three basic rules: water, shade, and rest for outdoor workplaces like construction sites, and water, air flow, and rest for indoor workplaces,” the ministry emphasized in a statement.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
