South Korea’s outdoor workers at risk as heat waves intensify



Analysis South Korea’s outdoor workers at risk as heat waves intensify Experts call for stronger regulations and cultural change to protect workers from deadly heat Joon Ha ParkAugust 16, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Park Se-joong, director of Occupational Safety and Health at the National Construction Workers’ Union, pours cold water from a safety helmet over his head during a protest demanding the implementation of safety measures into legislation in front of the ROK Presidential Office on Aug. 2, 2023. \| Image: National Construction Workers’ Union As global temperatures rise, South Korea’s outdoor workers face increasing health risks due to inadequate protection from the intensifying summer heat. Seoul has recorded 26 consecutive tropical nights — nights when temperatures do not fall below 77°F (25°C) — since July 21, the longest streak in the city’s history. With forecasts predicting more scorching weather ahead, experts emphasize the urgent need for the government and legislature to implement proactive measures to safeguard workers. They stress the necessity for stronger regulations, evidence-based recommendations and a cultural shift toward prioritizing workplace safety as climate change intensifies. INTENSIFYING HEAT WAVES South Korea’s labor © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Samsung, SK Hynix rejection exposes South Korea’s chip-grid financing problem 02Trump’s Cheongung social media post tests Seoul’s refusal to arm to Ukraine 03Lee Jae Myung risks public trust as South Korea rewires its justice system 04South Korea turns to Central Asia as Iran war tests its energy resilience 05Houthi seizure of Mokha sharpens South Korea’s Hormuz deployment dilemma 06Japan’s stronger yen may cut Korea’s import bill while raising funding costs 07South Korea leans on Europe as Hormuz deployment choices grow narrower 08Hanwha’s Austal bid shows where South Korea’s MASGA plan may be heading

Analysis

South Korea’s outdoor workers at risk as heat waves intensify

Experts call for stronger regulations and cultural change to protect workers from deadly heat

Joon Ha ParkAugust 16, 2024

South Korea’s outdoor workers at risk as heat waves intensify

Park Se-joong, director of Occupational Safety and Health at the National Construction Workers’ Union, pours cold water from a safety helmet over his head during a protest demanding the implementation of safety measures into legislation in front of the ROK Presidential Office on Aug. 2, 2023. | Image: National Construction Workers’ Union

As global temperatures rise, South Korea’s outdoor workers face increasing health risks due to inadequate protection from the intensifying summer heat. Seoul has recorded 26 consecutive tropical nights — nights when temperatures do not fall below 77°F (25°C) — since July 21, the longest streak in the city’s history.

With forecasts predicting more scorching weather ahead, experts emphasize the urgent need for the government and legislature to implement proactive measures to safeguard workers. They stress the necessity for stronger regulations, evidence-based recommendations and a cultural shift toward prioritizing workplace safety as climate change intensifies.

INTENSIFYING HEAT WAVES

South Korea’s labor

South Korea’s outdoor workers at risk as heat waves intensify

LATEST ANALYSIS

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Joon Ha Park