The Ministry of Employment and Labor will conduct intensive inspections of 1,000 workplaces vulnerable to heat, including construction, shipbuilding, logistics, and manufacturing sectors. Work outdoors will be halted when the perceived temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, and all outdoor work, except for emergency operations, will stop when temperatures reach 38 degrees.
Starting from August 3 to 14, the ministry will focus on inspecting these heat-exposed workplaces and high-risk confined spaces for asphyxiation incidents, as the heat is expected to peak following the end of the monsoon season.
The ministry will primarily verify compliance with the 'Five Basic Safety Rules for Heat Waves.' These rules include providing cool water, air conditioning, breaks of at least 20 minutes every two hours, supplying cooling equipment, and reporting emergencies to 119.
Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon has instructed the heads of 48 local offices to closely monitor the implementation of work stoppage measures based on heat wave stages. During a heat advisory, when the perceived temperature is above 33 degrees, work hours should be adjusted or outdoor work shortened. In a heat warning stage, with temperatures above 35 degrees, outdoor work should cease from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and in a severe heat warning stage, all outdoor work must stop except for emergency operations.
Inspections will also address the prevention of asphyxiation incidents in confined spaces. Heat can lower oxygen levels and increase the risk of toxic gas exposure, raising the likelihood of asphyxiation accidents. The ministry will check compliance with three safety rules for confined space work, including measuring oxygen and harmful gas levels before work, ensuring adequate ventilation, and wearing respiratory protective equipment such as air masks.
Following the intensive inspections, the ministry will operate a special task force for heat safety until September 30. They plan to continue on-site inspections and supervision, focusing on areas under heat wave warnings and workplaces at high risk for heat-related illnesses.
This inspection aims to manage heat waves not merely as seasonal risks but as disaster situations that can lead to serious accidents. Sectors like construction, shipbuilding, logistics, and manufacturing, which involve outdoor work, high-temperature tasks, and heavy lifting, face heightened risks of heat-related illnesses. It is crucial for employers to reflect rest and work stoppage criteria in actual operational processes.
Minister Kim emphasized, 'Heat waves should be regarded as disaster situations that threaten the lives and health of workers. Adhering to the Five Basic Safety Rules for Heat Waves and the work stoppage measures based on heat stages is the quickest and safest way to reduce exposure.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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