The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) will conduct intensive inspections to see whether basic safety rules are being followed in sectors vulnerable to cold waves, including environmental sanitation workers, construction workers, and specially employed and delivery workers. The ministry said on the 17th that it will implement a pan-government cold wave safety response period through Mar. 15 next year.
According to the ministry, the number of industrial accident victims suffering cold-related illnesses due to cold waves over the past five years is 49. Related industrial accidents occurred most frequently in facility management, followed by construction and transportation and warehousing. In addition, 70% of the industrial accidents occurred at small business sites with fewer than 50 employees.
The government plans to select 30,000 business sites among sectors with a high number of cold-related industrial accidents and guide and inspect compliance with the "five basic cold wave safety rules." In addition, when a cold wave advisory is issued, it plans to adjust working hours to between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and when a cold wave warning is issued, it will guide employers to minimize outdoor work. It also decided to provide guidance so that prevention supplies such as hot packs and ear muffs can be provided using government-supported industrial safety and health management funds.