Extreme Heat and Safety Management at Public Works Sites
In Buan, Jeollabuk-do, a tragic incident occurred where a man in his 70s, participating in public works amidst extreme heat, collapsed and died while working.
This incident has once again highlighted the inadequate safety management issues of local governments that insisted on outdoor work despite the continuous heatwave warnings.
According to the Jeollabuk-do Fire Headquarters on the 9th, a report was received at around 8:18 AM that Mr. A (77) collapsed and lost consciousness while engaged in public works activities at Jinseong Park in Gomsori, Jinseo-myeon, Buan County.
At the time, Mr. A was collecting garbage as part of park cleaning activities.
Emergency responders arriving at the scene actively provided emergency treatment, using a defibrillator (AED) six times and administering emergency medications while his colleagues performed CPR. However, Mr. A ultimately died after being transported to a hospital. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined.
Inadequate Protection Measures for Elderly Workers in Extreme Heat
Although the incident took place relatively early in the morning, Buan was already experiencing hot and humid weather with a perceived temperature close to 30 degrees Celsius, indicating the start of extreme heat conditions. A heatwave warning was in effect for all 14 cities and counties in Jeollabuk-do on that day.
The problem is that most of the public works participants are elderly individuals.
Criticism has arisen regarding the lack of basic safety management measures, such as ensuring sufficient rest time, adjusting work hours, and monitoring health conditions, during outdoor activities that are particularly vulnerable to heat for the elderly.
A representative from a human rights group in Jeollabuk-do stated, "While the government and local authorities claim to create jobs for the elderly, forcing outdoor work without proper protective measures in the scorching heat is close to a violation of human rights." They emphasized that outdoor work should be immediately suspended during extreme heat, and alternative indoor work should be considered.
The Korea Meteorological Administration has been continuously issuing heat advisories and warnings across Jeollabuk-do, particularly since early July, when the perceived temperature during midday rose to around 35 degrees Celsius, raising concerns about heat-related health risks.
Surge in Heat-related Illnesses, Serious Impact on Elderly
Experts advise that local governments should establish systematic heat response manuals for outdoor workers, including public workers, and strengthen proactive health management and sufficient rest guarantees, especially for the elderly.
Meanwhile, since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency began operating a heat-related illness surveillance system in over 500 emergency rooms nationwide starting May 15, there have been a total of 74 heat-related illness cases reported in Jeollabuk-do as of that day, with one recorded death. This figure represents more than three times the number of cases (23) reported during the same period last year.
By age, the majority were individuals aged 65 and older, with 31 cases, followed by 12 in their 50s, 10 in their 40s, 5 in their 20s, 4 in their 30s, and 1 in their teens.
This data further confirms the fact that elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable during extreme heat.
By type of illness, heat exhaustion accounted for the highest number, with 33 cases, followed by heat cramps with 18, heat stroke with 13, heat syncope with 9, and others with 1. Damage to livestock due to extreme heat continues to rise as well.
On that day, 28 farms in Jeollabuk-do reported the deaths of about 28,700 pigs, chickens, and ducks, bringing the total livestock losses to over 87,100. This number constitutes about 23% of the nationwide livestock damage related to the heatwave (379,000 animals).
Image source: unrelated material photo / News1, material photo for better understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank
