Gwangju Office of Education to Improve Ventilation Systems in Cafeterias of 49 Schools

Protecting the Health of Kitchen Staff
Ventilation System Improvements Completed at 49 Schools in Gwangju
Project Aims to Prevent Occupational Accidents and Improve Working Conditions

The Gwangju Office of Education announced on the 13th that it has completed ventilation system improvements in the kitchens of 49 schools, including Gwangju Unam Elementary School, ahead of the new semester, and has begun full operation. This improvement project was carried out to prevent occupational accidents such as lung cancer among kitchen staff and to enhance the cooking environment.

The appearance after the ventilation system improvement in the cafeteria kitchen of Sangil Girls' High School in Gwangju. Provided by Gwangju Office of Education

The ventilation capacity of the local exhaust system was increased and the shape of the hood was adjusted to improve ventilation efficiency. In addition, a blower air volume control system was introduced to minimize noise and heat loss outside of cooking hours. After cooking, a separate ventilation device is operated to ensure that harmful substances such as cooking fumes (smoke and fine dust generated during cooking) do not remain.

Since 2022, the Gwangju Office of Education has conducted pilot projects at four schools?Unnam High School, Cheomdan High School, Gwangju Girls' High School, and Gwangju Technical High School?and completed improvement work at a total of 127 schools through this year. This year, an additional 48 schools will be improved, and by 2027, the project aims to complete renovations at a total of 319 schools.

Superintendent Lee Jeongseon said, "We will continue to make efforts so that kitchen staff responsible for students' meals can work in a safe and pleasant environment."

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