South Korea's workplaces are grappling with the challenges of extreme heat, prompting a range of adaptive measures. As temperatures soar, companies are extending rest periods, reshaping work schedules, and providing cooling equipment. However, this response reveals a stark divide between large employers with the resources to implement protective measures and smaller, outdoor worksites that remain vulnerable. The situation is particularly dire for migrant workers in agriculture and other outdoor jobs, who are heavily exposed to the elements.
The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service reported 195 heat-related occupational accidents between 2022 and June 2026, including 20 deaths. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for comprehensive protection measures. The legal landscape has also shifted, with a district court convicting a construction company under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act for the heatstroke death of a sub-contractor's employee, marking the first such conviction under the law.
Construction companies, which contribute disproportionately to industrial fatalities, have been proactive in implementing preventive measures. Hyundai Engineering & Construction rewards workers for taking breaks in designated rest areas, while Lotte E&C uses an IoT-based monitoring system to classify heat risks into five levels. Daewoo E&C allows workers to stop working without penalty if they feel unwell, and some companies have introduced tailored measures for migrant workers, such as emergency reporting guides in multiple languages and cooling vests with built-in fans.
Heavy industries, which cannot easily suspend operations during heatwaves, are tightening work-and-rest schedules. Posco, for instance, requires workers to rest for 15 minutes after every 45 minutes of work when the perceived temperature exceeds 35°C, and Hyundai Steel mandates at least 10 minutes of rest every hour when temperatures rise above 31°C. Shipbuilders have also extended rest periods, with Hanwha Ocean doubling morning and afternoon breaks and Samsung Heavy Industries forming a dedicated task force to coordinate heat response measures.
Despite these efforts, a protection gap remains. The majority of heat-related accidents occur at workplaces with fewer than 50 employees, and smaller businesses often lack access to safety personnel, cooling equipment, and adequate rest facilities. Labour experts and lawmakers emphasize the need for stronger inspections and practical protections for seasonal migrant workers and employees at small outdoor worksites.
In conclusion, South Korea's response to extreme heat in the workplace is a step in the right direction, but it is not without its limitations. The divide between large employers and smaller, outdoor worksites persists, and the vulnerability of migrant workers in agriculture and other outdoor jobs remains a pressing concern. To address this issue comprehensively, the government must move beyond focusing on large workplaces and prioritize inspections and protections for those most at risk.
