- 54% of industrial worksites unaware of mandatory apparent temperature recording requirements; 65% of workplace temperature recorders are analog, with data managed manually
- Revised Occupational Safety and Health Standards Regulations effective June establish new mandatory heat illness prevention measures for workers during heat waves; non-compliance subject to fines of up to 100 million KRW; mandatory recording and retention of apparent temperature data
- Willog's space monitoring solution provides automatic apparent temperature reporting and customized alert functions, capable of effectively addressing the revised regulation guidelines, with integrated monitoring of worker environments and the condition of stored goods
Willog (co-CEOs Bae Sung-hoon and Yoon Ji-hyun), an IoT-based logistics intelligence solutions company, released the results of its "Campaign Survey on Worker Heat Illness Regulations under the Industrial Safety and Health Act," conducted targeting company safety managers. The results showed that 54% of respondents were unaware of the mandatory "apparent temperature recording" requirement specified in the revised regulation.
This reflects the general lack of awareness and preparedness across industrial worksites regarding the revision to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Regulations (hereinafter "Industrial Safety and Health Act"), which is set to take full effect from June.
Low Awareness of Heat Illness Prevention Obligations; Need for Practical Response Measures
This revised regulation addresses the prevention of health damage to workers caused by extreme heat and cold, specifying the following measures: the definition of heat waves and heat wave work; response measures for indoor workplaces during heat waves; heat illness prevention measures; and ensuring worker rest during heat waves. As a result, employer health management obligations and responsibilities are significantly strengthened.
In particular, work performed for extended periods in environments with an apparent temperature of 31 degrees Celsius or higher is defined as "heat wave work," and the apparent temperature, calculated using a combination of dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, and wet bulb temperature, must be recorded and retained through the end of the relevant year. Violation of this requirement may result in a fine of up to 100 million KRW.
To ensure that companies accurately understand the revised regulation and prepare appropriate response measures, Willog has been conducting a "Campaign on Worker Heat Illness Regulations under the Industrial Safety and Health Act" since May, targeting safety managers across various industries including logistics, manufacturing, and construction. The campaign included diagnostic tests to assess each company's safety management status, provision of guidelines for practical measures, and a brief survey to gauge the level of response across the industry.
The survey results revealed that 54% of respondents stated they were unaware of the mandatory apparent temperature recording requirements specified in the revised regulation, indicating that awareness within industrial worksites remains low. Additionally, 65% of respondents indicated that their workplace temperature recorders are analog or manual in nature, demonstrating that many worksites still rely on visual measurement and handwritten records.
Only 10% of respondents stated that they record based on apparent temperature, and more than 60% stored temperature data in Excel or on paper. An additional 6% reported that they do not retain temperature data at all.