Samsung C&T Construction Sites Actively Utilize Work Suspension During Heatwaves

Samsung C&T Construction Division announced on the 15th that it will actively promote the right to stop work for workers during extreme heat.

A worker is directly measuring temperature and humidity at a Samsung C&T construction site. (Provided by Samsung C&T)

During midsummer, when heat-related illnesses may occur, workers can exercise their right to stop work if they feel excessive heat or experience dizziness, headaches, or other symptoms. Samsung C&T provides guidance on this during safety training and has decided to immediately halt the relevant work and provide rest time during heatwaves. In fact, on a day when a heatwave warning was issued in the Pyeongtaek area, 46 cases of work stoppage rights were exercised simultaneously at six sites in the region.

Samsung C&T also guarantees 10 to 15 minutes of break time every hour when the perceived temperature reaches 33 degrees Celsius or higher. For indoor work where ventilation is difficult or radiant heat increases the perceived temperature, work hours will be adjusted or workers’ break times will be extended.

Additionally, the company has strengthened standards for rest facility installation, establishing internal regulations to allow at least 20% of the maximum workforce to rest simultaneously. Currently, at sites where about 10,000 workers are employed daily, large rest facilities of up to 1,400㎡ are in operation. For workers who have difficulty accessing rest facilities, mobile cooling units combining air conditioners, outdoor units, and water containers, as well as mobile rest buses, are provided.

Yoon Jeong-ah, Group Leader of the Safety and Health Operations Team, stated, "Excessive work during summer can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and safety accidents. We will do our best to protect workers’ health by enforcing break times according to perceived temperature and activating the right to stop work."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.