With an early cold snap approaching, construction companies are focusing on on-site safety management. In particular, this year they are working even more thoroughly to prevent accidents as the government tightens penalties and regulations related to on-site incidents.
According to the construction industry on the 2nd, construction sites are on alert as cold weather has set in since Oct., with morning temperatures in Seoul recently dropping to 2 degrees. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency are sharing key safety rules in light of the heightened risk at construction sites in winter.
In winter, accidents occur not only from the most representative slip-and-fall incidents among serious disasters, but also from strong winds and from asphyxiation while raising temperatures for concrete curing by using combustible materials such as briquettes.
Concrete takes longer to harden in winter than in summer, requiring more cement. Even under pressure on costs and schedules at sites, the time for concrete to harden sufficiently must be observed. An official at a major construction company said, "Winter is better than the peak heat or monsoon season, but the cement curing rate is slower in winter, so construction inevitably slows."
Construction companies said they are preparing for various hazards beyond fall accidents. They are distributing cold-weather gear to on-site workers and running health management programs to prevent cold-related illnesses. Some companies are reportedly measuring gas concentrations and banning the use of solid fuels to prevent fires and asphyxiation.
An official at a major construction company said, "There are many older workers at construction sites lately, so those with brain or cardiovascular diseases receive special management in winter. Because accidents occur in sudden cold snaps like these days, we need to manage more meticulously," adding, "Also, when the weather repeatedly turns cold and then warm again, defects in facilities occur more often, so we are managing them thoroughly."
The colder it gets, the slower construction proceeds, so schedules are set with that in mind, but there are concerns this could lead to delays and higher construction costs. A construction company official said, "We set schedules considering seasonal factors, but with recent frequent extreme weather, prolonged cold or heavy snowfall could delay work," adding, "If construction is delayed, costs naturally increase and become a burden."
Another construction company official said, "If conditions such as winter cold are not suitable, we should stop work, but with sudden cold snaps happening more often recently, there is pressure over delays," adding, "In particular, mid-sized and small construction firms, rather than large ones, find it harder to respond to the cold on site and face tougher management due to constraints in expense and equipment."
They added that this year, tension on sites is higher due to tough penalties for serious industrial accidents. An official at a major construction company said, "With the government taking a hard-line approach, there is a stronger push to step up winter safety management," adding, "We have long prepared for extreme weather, but as it increasingly occurs in unforeseen ways, we need to pay even closer attention to our response."