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Safety managers at LOTTE E&C's headquarters monitor the operation status of IoT thermometers and hygrometers along with real-time apparent temperatures at construction sites nationwide from the safety situation center. /Lotte E&C

Lotte E&C has expanded the deployment of a real-time apparent temperature management system at its construction sites nationwide to prevent heat-related illnesses caused by summer heatwaves.

The company announced on July 2 that it is operating its in-house developed "apparent temperature IoT monitoring platform" at 80 construction sites across the country to strengthen worker safety during the hot season.

This platform was jointly developed with smart solution company NBizSoft after Lotte E&C initiated research and development in 2023, with construction completed last year. Internet of Things (IoT)-based thermometers and hygrometers installed throughout the sites measure and transmit temperature, humidity, and apparent temperature in five-minute intervals, analyzing heatwave risk levels in real time based on this data.

The risk stages are classified into five levels according to the apparent temperature: Normal (below 32°C), Caution (32°C to under 33°C), Alert (33°C to under 35°C), Warning (35°C to under 38°C), and Danger (38°C and above).

The platform connects the headquarters' safety situation center with each site in real time to support a rapid response system. Safety managers at the headquarters can check the apparent temperatures and risk levels of nationwide sites at a glance through a dashboard. When a heatwave risk stage is detected, automated alerts are transmitted to relevant departments, including the safety situation center, safety prevention diagnosis team, business division safety team, and site safety and health managers. This allows for immediate safety measures, such as granting rest periods or halting work.

The efficiency of site safety management tasks has also been improved. The system automatically generates apparent temperature measurement logs based on actual measured data and automatically sends out safety guidance text messages tailored to the heatwave stages to workers.

Worker convenience has been enhanced as well. By scanning QR codes attached throughout the sites with a smartphone, workers can instantly check the real-time apparent temperature, current heatwave stage, and step-by-step action guidelines without needing separate measurement equipment.

Recognized for its technical capability, this platform won the Innovation Award in the complex and housing sector at the "Smart Construction Challenge" hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2024. After upgrading its functions, it has been fully applied to sites nationwide since last year.

An official from Lotte E&C stated, "We developed the 'apparent temperature IoT monitoring platform' and fully introduced it to nationwide sites to protect the lives and safety of site workers from heatwaves during the hot season." The official added, "We will continue to strive for new technology development so that workers can operate in a safer environment."

                                                                                                         Jeon Won-jun