"Fighting the Heatwave"... Busan KOSHA Office Inspects Shipyards for Heat Illness Prevention

Focusing on Heatwave Response System at HJ Heavy Industries

Strengthening Safety with Health Management Services and Cool Kit Support

With the ongoing heatwave, the risk of heat-related illnesses at industrial sites is increasing. In response, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency visited shipyards to protect workers' health and inspect heatwave response systems.

On July 29, the Busan Regional Headquarters of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (headed by Jeong Jongdeuk) visited HJ Heavy Industries to conduct an on-site inspection for the prevention of heat-related illnesses among shipyard workers.

The Busan Regional Headquarters of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency conducted an onsite inspection on the 29th at HJ Heavy Industries to prevent heat-related illnesses among shipyard workers.

This inspection focused on verifying whether preventive measures are being effectively implemented in consideration of the long hours workers are exposed to high temperatures in shipyard environments.

The agency checked compliance with the "Five Basic Heatwave Safety Rules"—including drinking enough water, installing and using cooling equipment, ensuring proper rest, wearing cooling gear, and calling 119 in case of emergencies. They also verified whether each stage of the heatwave advisory response was being properly implemented on site.

In addition, in collaboration with the Busan Workers' Health Center, the agency operated a "Mobile Health Management Service," providing simple health checkups, consultations, and preventive education for workers at high risk of heat-related illness.

Particularly since this year, the "Major Heatwave Alert" system—issued when the maximum perceived temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius for more than one day—has been newly introduced. As a result, on-site responses to these alerts have also been strengthened.

The agency guided workplaces to flexibly adjust working hours and suspend outdoor work, except for emergency tasks, when a major alert is issued.

To help reduce workers' body temperature, the agency also provided heat illness prevention supplies such as cool kits and cool towels.

Due to the recent effects of climate change, heatwaves have become routine in the summer, making the prevention of heat-related illnesses a key industrial safety challenge, especially at sites with frequent outdoor work such as construction and shipbuilding. Prolonged work in high temperatures increases not only health risks but also the likelihood of safety accidents, making proactive business site responses more crucial than ever.

Jeong Jongdeuk, head of the Busan Regional Headquarters of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, stated, "With this summer’s average temperature expected to be higher than usual, it is more important than ever to prepare in advance to prevent heat-related illnesses. I urge all workplaces to thoroughly implement measures for each stage of the heatwave advisory so that workers can work in a safe environment."

The Busan Regional Headquarters of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency visited HJ Heavy Industries on the 29th to conduct an on-site inspection to prevent heat-related illnesses among shipyard workers and took a commemorative photo.

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