All 132 construction sites under Gangwon Province's jurisdiction have been found to be actively following heat safety protocols, including halting work when a major heat wave alert is issued.
Gangwon Province conducted emergency inspections of 132 road and waterway construction sites overseen by its construction and transportation bureau over the past two weeks, as sustained heat waves raised concerns about heat-related illness and safety accidents among construction workers.
The inspections confirmed that sites are complying with the five basic heat safety rules — drinking water, cooling equipment, rest breaks, cold-retention gear and calling 119 — and are adjusting work and rest schedules based on temperature.
Citing Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts of continued extreme heat, the province said it would implement emergency heat measures that go beyond existing protocols, drawing on relevant laws and guidelines.
When the apparent temperature reaches 33 degrees Celsius or a heat advisory is in effect, work hours will be adjusted or outdoor work shortened.
At 35 degrees or above under a heat wave warning, outdoor work will be suspended between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. When the apparent temperature hits 38 degrees or above under a major heat wave alert, all outdoor work except emergency operations will be halted.
The province plans to actively review and apply adjustments to outdoor work hours and temporary work stoppages at each site, led by the contracting authority, in line with heat wave alerts issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Particularly when a major heat wave alert — defined as an apparent temperature of 38 degrees or above — is issued, the province will move to temporarily suspend construction work in the affected areas.
Alongside this, the province said it will recognize heat-related work stoppages as force majeure under the general conditions of construction contracts, allowing for contract period extensions and other measures to minimize losses for contractors.
Lee Jong-gu, head of the province's construction and transportation bureau, said the province would implement necessary measures, including contract extensions, so that all construction sites it oversees can fully comply with the five basic heat safety rules without pressure over project deadlines. "The damage caused by disasters far outweighs the cost of prevention," he said. "We will manage construction sites with workers' lives and safety as the top priority."
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