HDC Hyundai Development Company announced today that it conducted the 'HDC Icicle Campaign' to prevent health hazards for workers during the heat of summer on the 12th. Despite being June, an early summer heat has arrived, with the daytime high temperature in Seoul surpassing 32 degrees, prompting the early launch of the campaign.
The campaign is a worker health protection and heat illness prevention program that HDC Hyundai Development Company conducts every summer. This year, the program started earlier than in previous years to align with the Ministry of Employment and Labor's checks on heat wave preparedness and safety requests.
The 'HDC Icicle Campaign' dramatically strengthened its management system for preventing health hazards for workers this year. A four-tier management standard was established based on heat wave levels: ▲ Attention ▲ Caution ▲ Warning ▲ Danger, and operational measures were set differently for each stage regarding rest times.
When the rest period begins, information about the break is communicated to workers through flags, electronic displays, site announcements, and social media, urging workers to stop their work and take a break. Additionally, HDC Hyundai Development Company noted that proactive measures have been implemented to ensure workers have adequate rest, offering 20 minutes of rest time in addition to 2 hours of work, in order to comply with the five basic safety rules for heat wave safety before the peak season begins.
Rest areas will be set up, with at least one for every three buildings, and an outdoor 'Icicle Shelter' will be provided for workers' convenience. Each rest area is equipped with temperature and humidity gauges, drinking water dispensers, fans, air conditioners, ice makers, and refrigerators/freezers, stocked with water, beverages, ice cream, and salt. The outdoor Icicle Shelters will feature sunshades, awnings, ice boxes, folding chairs, fans, and industrial air conditioners to prepare for the heat wave. HDC Hyundai Development Company also explained that ventilation fans, fans, and industrial air conditioners will be installed in indoor workspaces that are humid and poorly ventilated, such as basements.
Furthermore, the protection measures for workers were detailed. Workers vulnerable to heat illnesses due to conditions like hypertension or old age will be identified in advance, and work assignments will be made accordingly. These workers will undergo daily blood pressure checks and health consultations, and will be granted additional rest time. Outdoor workers or those in heat-sensitive jobs will receive ice vests, neck coolers, and ice packs, and work stoppage times will be designated during outdoor work based on the perceived temperature to prevent heat illnesses.
A close monitoring system for workers has also been newly implemented. Supervisors will be assigned specific workers to monitor and will oversee the work environment of those workers.
The response system for heat illnesses has been reorganized as well. An enhanced manual for preventing heat illnesses in emergencies was revised, and on the 4th, training and a rehearsal were conducted at construction site 5 of the Pohang-Yeongdeok Highway. Additionally, a system is being developed to manage the perceived temperature and potential emergencies at each site in real time using IoT technology.
HDC Hyundai Development Company is also thoroughly preparing to prevent safety accidents caused by heavy rains during summer. The company is complying with the five basic safety rules for heat wave safety while conducting special inspections to prepare for serious disaster risks such as flooding, collapses, and electrocutions during the rainy season.
In addition, measures are in place to make it easy for foreign workers to participate in the various programs of the HDC Icicle Campaign, utilizing foreign-language signage throughout the site, training with professional interpreters, and emotional safety campaigns to lead the prevention and management of heat illnesses during summer.
An official from HDC Hyundai Development Company stated, "We have done our utmost to refine the heat illness prevention system before the heat waves arrive and will ensure that workers on-site can work safely in cooler conditions than previous years."