Heat illness prevention program deployed across 121 sites nationwide

Shin Jae-jeom, chief safety officer of Hyundai E&C, hands a heat-sensing wearable device to a worker at the Gajwa Tech Center data center site in Seo-gu, Incheon, on Sunday as part of the company's heat illness prevention program. [Hyundai E&C]
Shin Jae-jeom, chief safety officer of Hyundai E&C, hands a heat-sensing wearable device to a worker at the Gajwa Tech Center data center site in Seo-gu, Incheon, on Sunday as part of the company's heat illness prevention program. [Hyundai E&C]

Hyundai E&C has launched a worker safety initiative ahead of what is forecast to be a record-breaking summer heat season.

The company said Monday it is running a "special summer site inspection and heat illness prevention program" across 121 job sites nationwide. On Sunday, Shin Jae-jeom, Hyundai E&C's chief safety officer, personally inspected the Gajwa Tech Center — a data center site in Seo-gu, Incheon — and led a campaign distributing drinks to more than 300 workers on site.

Hyundai E&C has run a heat illness prevention program every summer, but this year the company upgraded its approach to reflect the government's stronger safety stance. That stance includes newly enacted heat-related provisions under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the launch of a special government task force, producing a more tailored, worker-centered set of solutions.

The company upgraded its existing "3GO! Program" to the "3GO! 2GO ZERO! Program." The three core heat illness prevention practices — drink (hydration), shade (cover up) and cool down (rest) — have been expanded with two additional action items: wear (cooling gear) and report (call 119). Together, the five elements reflect all five of the government's official heat safety guidelines.

Hyundai E&C also partnered with Korea Pharma to provide oral rehydration solutions to workers who are particularly vulnerable or sensitive to extreme heat and require immediate electrolyte replenishment. The company is also expanding its distribution of cooling gear, including fan-equipped vests for all outdoor workers. Emergency reporting instruction videos produced in 22 languages will be distributed to every site so that foreign workers can respond quickly in critical situations.

The company is also stepping up monitoring of workers newly assigned to heat-exposed tasks and introducing heat-sensing wearable devices for those requiring intensive health management, in an all-out effort to prevent heat-related illness before it occurs.

Starting this year, Hyundai E&C will for the first time introduce a "rest certification incentive" system. Workers who verify that they have taken breaks at designated rest facilities will receive incentives, a mechanism the company expects will encourage voluntary participation.

"Worker safety on site is a value that cannot be compromised," a Hyundai E&C official said. "We will do everything in our power to achieve zero heat illness incidents through smart safety management and attentive support, so that every worker can do their job with peace of mind."

Meanwhile, Hyundai E&C is also actively working to spread a culture of voluntary safety and build a cooperative framework with its partners. The company has introduced a "safety guarantee rights" system, expanded safety consulting and executive education for partner firms, and linked its safety rating system with incentives to promote safety awareness. It has also established its own "12 Safety Norms" to embed a distinctive safety culture throughout the organization.


lucky@heraldcorp.com