Coupang Eats Service (CES) will strengthen safety support for delivery partners to prepare for summer heat waves.
On the 21st, CES said it is providing tailored support for delivery partners based on the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL)'s "five basic heat wave safety rules" of water, cooling, rest, cold storage gear, and calling 119. This summer, it plans to strengthen cooperation with government agencies and local communities to continue support that delivery partners can feel in the field.
First, CES is conducting a heat wave preparedness sharing campaign with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), the Korea Labor Mutual Aid Association, and local governments. The campaign began on the 17th in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, and will run for two months through Aug. in 10 regions nationwide. Large tumblers, coffee and snack trucks, bottled water, ion drinks, and summer items are provided to delivery partners who visit the site. Next month, it also plans to provide iced coffee exchange vouchers to help cool off during the hottest period.
Spaces for hydration, cooling, and rest are also being expanded nationwide. CES has stocked more than 50 local government mobile worker rest areas across the country with bottled water, ion drinks, and glucose candy, as well as heat wave preparedness items such as cool scarves and cool arm sleeves. It said making them freely accessible to any delivery partner has improved access to rest during heat waves.
Cooling rest areas in cooperation with the Korea Motorcycle Maintenance Association are also in operation. CES has designated more than 140 motorcycle repair centers nationwide as "delivery partner cooling rest areas" and set up rest spaces at each center equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators, and water purifiers. The rest areas are located in major regions nationwide, including the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheong, Honam, Yeongnam, Gangwon, and Jeju, so they can be used near delivery routes.
Safety guidance based on weather conditions has also been strengthened. Using weather data, CES checks various conditions in real time, including not only heat waves but also heavy rain and typhoons, and provides necessary response guidelines through the Coupang Eats delivery partner app. If heat-related illness symptoms are suspected or if circumstances arise that make deliveries difficult, partners are instructed to stop deliveries immediately and move to a safe place.
A Coupang Eats Service official said, "What matters most in heat wave situations is making sure basic safety rules are actually followed in the field," adding, "We will continue to work with relevant agencies and provide the necessary support so delivery partners can ride safely."