-Providing heat disease prevention guidelines and self-checklists for 60,000 workplaces with higher risks of heatwave illnesses
From Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 20, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced it will operate a three-week autonomous improvement period for 60,000 high-risk workplaces, providing heat illness prevention guidelines and self-checklists based on heatwave safety five basic rules.
This follows the Provincial Offices’ “Heatwave Safety Special Countermeasure Teams,” formed and active since May 30, aimed at labor and management at worksites self-monitoring and enhancing heat illness prevention measures tailored to their workplace conditions.
The Ministry provides workplaces with clear heat illness prevention guidelines and self-checklists based on the five basic heatwave safety rules. These guidelines instruct not only compliance with the five rules but also the immediate suspension of work if urgent risk of heat illness arises, and ongoing monitoring and improvement of their implementation. Special measures are recommended such as shorter work hours or additional breaks for vulnerable groups like the elderly.
During this period, the Ministry will collaborate with industry associations, labor organizations, and private accident prevention agencies in high-risk sectors to deliver workplace training and orientation to ensure early workplace adoption of the five rules.
After the autonomous improvement period, until September 30—when heatwave risks subside—the Provincial “Heatwave Safety Special Countermeasure Teams” will conduct guidance and inspections, focusing on indoor/outdoor operation of cooling and ventilation systems, adjustments to work hours, and provision of rest breaks.
Jong-yoon Kim, Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters, said, “Since prevention is critical for heat-related illnesses, please check for any deficiencies before the heatwave season begins and proactively improve them.” In particular, he advised, “If you notice even minor symptoms during heatwave work, do not ignore them—drink cool water and take a break.”
Heat illness prevention guidelines and the self-checklist of the Five Basic Heatwave Safety Rules can be found on the Ministry’s website ([www.moel.go.kr](http://www.moel.go.kr) → Policy Introduction → Policy Data Room) or the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency’s portal (portal.kosha.or.kr → Safety and Health Data Room → Industrial Safety and Health Information → Heatwave).