(Seoul = News1) Reporter Kim Jung-hyun = The Ministry of Science and ICT’s Korea Post (Korea Post) announced on the 9th that it will designate and operate a “Special Management Period for Safety and Health of Postal Workers” until October 2.
During this period, Korea Post plans to reduce the number of safety accidents due to summer heat waves and heavy rain by 10% compared to last year and to actively engage in preventing heat-related illnesses.
First, with a budget of about 1.17 billion won, Korea Post will distribute ice makers to over 200 post offices nationwide and provide bottled water, electrolyte glucose, cool sleeves, and other dehydration prevention and cooling supplies. They will also conduct education on the initial symptoms, prevention methods, and emergency measures for heat-related illnesses to strengthen health management capabilities.
Postal workers working during peak temperatures will conduct self-diagnosis of heat-related symptoms through PDAs they carry and will be guided to take regular breaks in shaded areas and consume sufficient water.
In cases where outdoor workers, such as postal workers, are at risk of health issues or accidents due to worsening weather conditions during work, they plan to immediately stop work and implement evacuation and return measures. Safety measures will be provided via mobile SNS during weather conditions that could lead to safety accidents.
Postal distribution centers will hold safety meetings (TBM) to perform exercises and equipment checks before work and share safety guidelines and heat illness prevention measures.
They plan to maintain a constant record of perceived temperature by keeping thermometers and hygrometers on site and minimize the inflow of hot air through door management and air conditioning to maintain an appropriate indoor temperature (26-28℃). They will provide appropriate rest for at least 10 minutes per hour and guide sufficient water intake when a heatwave warning is issued.
Haekun Cho, head of Korea Post, said, “We will do our best to ensure that all postal workers can work safely and healthily by inspecting the field and implementing various measures to protect employees and provide stable postal services.”