▲ A worker at a construction site on Yangjae-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on July 31 of last year, when heatwaves continued.
As heavy rains that began in late last month have caused damage, and heatwave warnings have been issued in some regions, the government has established guidelines to prevent related risks in public contracts.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced today (July 13) that it has notified central administrative agencies and public institutions of the "Guidelines for Public Contract Administration" to prevent safety accidents that may occur when construction companies push to meet deadlines despite extreme weather conditions.
The guidelines state that public contracting agencies should temporarily suspend construction if it is determined that work is significantly difficult due to heatwaves or heavy rain.
It is specified that the period of suspension should be recognized as a "force majeure" event, allowing for extensions of contract periods and adjustments to contract amounts, ensuring that public contracting agencies compensate for additional costs incurred by the contractors.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Economy and Finance advised that even if construction is not temporarily suspended, public contracting agencies should not impose late penalties on contractors if the project is delayed due to heatwaves or heavy rain and cannot be completed by the deadline.
The ministry also emphasized that public contracting agencies must provide appropriate guidance and supervision to ensure compliance with laws and guidelines related to outdoor work, such as the "Rules on Occupational Safety and Health Standards" and the "Workplace Response Guidelines for Preventing Heat-related Illnesses."
The government plans to devise additional measures as necessary to prevent safety accidents at public construction sites in the future.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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