<Anchor> A



construction site worker sent a tip asking to take a look at the workplace in a heat wave.



It is recommended to stop work from 2pm to 5pm in the unbearable heat these days, but it is not followed well.



<Reporter> A



construction site for a semiconductor factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.



Welding work is in full swing on the roof, where the hot sunlight hits first.



You have to carry heavy reinforcing bars with all your might, but the only place to avoid the sweltering heat of 35 degrees is the shade between the pillars.



[Mr. A / Construction site worker: Those who work outside are almost dead.] The



Ministry of Employment and Labor recommends taking a break of at least 10 minutes per hour when the heat wave

warning

goes into effect.



The company said it guarantees a break time, but in the workers' group chat room, only the answer 'no' to the question 'Please tell me about the official break time' is pouring.




[Mr B / Construction site worker: There is an air conditioner in the bathroom. So, most people go to the bathroom and sit on the toilet to rest. But not dozens of toilets... .]



Reinforcing bars used to erect the building skeleton.



This rebar has been heated outdoors for about three or four hours now.



I measured it with a thermometer to see how many degrees it actually came out, and it was almost 58 degrees.




[C/Construction site worker: I can't put the (rebar) on my shoulder. I can't even wear this dress. It will probably be sizzling if it heats up for an hour or so later.]



After work, the thermometer for corona check often becomes useless.



[Mr. B / Construction site worker: All thermometers become errors. Because if you put your body on it, 39 degrees will come out... .]



Intermediate breaks are compulsory for high-temperature work such as furnace work under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.



However, for outdoor workers, there is no clear standard, just a recommendation to 'provide adequate rest'.



An analysis of workers recognized for industrial accidents due to heat illness over the past five years showed that construction workers accounted for the largest proportion with 48.7%.



[Ryu Hyeon-cheol / Occupational and Environmental Medicine Specialist: Since there are no compulsory provisions for adequate rest, it is not a special problem until a person collapses. We should give and make them adhere to standards that exceed the recommended level.]



This is why we should not ignore the cry of construction workers who sweat all day in the sun for help.



(Video coverage: Kim Yong-woo, video editing: Hwang Ji-young, helicopter pilot: Min Byeong-ho)