Building in the Heat: How Samsung C&T Is Protecting Construction

Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction (E&C) Group is stepping up heat safety measures at construction sites across Korea
From wearable cooling gear to shaded rest stations within a two-minute walk, the Group’s enhanced guidelines aim to protect workers from extreme temperatures during the summer season

Four construction workers at a Samsung C&T site raise iced drinks and smile in front of a heat safety banner encouraging hydration and cooling. — Workers enjoy cold drinks at a Samsung C&T construction site following a heat safety campaign promoting hydration, shade, and rest

As global temperatures rise and heatwaves grow more frequent, the need to protect outdoor workers is more urgent than ever. Samsung C&T E&C Group is responding with strengthened safety guidelines aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses and ensuring healthier work conditions during Korea’s hottest months.

Proactive Cooling, Flexible Scheduling

Samsung C&T now mandates rest periods when the perceived temperature reaches 31°C or higher, and encourages daily health checks before work begins. If any worker reports symptoms such as dizziness or headaches due to the heat, the site will immediately halt work to allow adequate rest. All workers are reminded of their right to stop work at any time if they experience symptoms of heat-related illness. Outdoor operations are avoided between 2 PM and 5 PM, the hottest time of day, in favor of indoor tasks.

To support these efforts, the company has installed rest areas within a two-minute walking distance from every work zone. Temporary rest stations are also added in locations with limited access. These facilities are equipped with air conditioning, drinking water, and glucose supplements. On sites with a high number of female workers, separate rest areas have been provided.

For high-exposure tasks such as welding or concrete pouring, the company distributes personal cooling gear, including ice vests, cooling fans, and neck coolers. Temperature data from both the Korea Meteorological Administration and on-site sensors are compared in real time, with the higher reading used to guide safety decisions.

A construction worker in a shaded, air-conditioned booth labeled “traffic guide station,” located at a Samsung C&T construction site with ongoing steelwork. — Samsung C&T has installed air-conditioned booths for traffic controllers on site, offering protection from direct heat exposure during peak hours

Construction workers in safety vests receiving cooling supplies and information at a Samsung C&T heat safety campaign booth with posters and banners. — On-site safety campaigns include interactive booths, where workers receive cooling supplies and are reminded of key heat safety practices

Promoting Awareness and a Culture of Safety

Beyond operational changes, Samsung C&T is reinforcing heat safety through on-site campaigns and educational initiatives. Workers are encouraged to take part in awareness programs that include safety quizzes with rewards such as reusable tumblers, UV-blocking parasols, and cup bingsu (Korean shaved ice). These activities help reinforce key messages around hydration, shade, and rest in a way that is engaging and easy to remember.

Three construction workers resting in reclining chairs under a cooling fan inside a Samsung C&T site, in front of a safety poster about hydration and rest. — A Samsung C&T cooling rest area offers workers a shaded space with fans, hydration, and safety reminders to help prevent heat-related illness

According to Byung-chul Ahn, CSO of Samsung C&T’s Safety & Health Division, the company’s approach goes beyond enforcing rules. “Working under extreme heat not only increases physical strain but also raises the risk of accidents,” he explained. “Through worker-centered safety training, we aim to prevent heat-related illness and establish a strong culture of on-site safety.”