High-Temperature Hazard Inspections to Begin in June; Violators Face Fines Up to NT$3 Million
To prevent heat-related hazards for outdoor workers, Taiwan's Ministry of Labor will launch 3,230 high-temperature inspections and follow-up checks starting June 1. This dual-track mechanism will specifically target high-risk workplaces like construction sites. In line with the new Occupational Safety and Health Act effective July 1, employers failing to implement protective measures could face fines of up to NT$3 million, strengthening worker safety.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 19:18
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 19:32 (13 min after Published)
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(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by reporter Wu Hsin-yun) With the hot summer approaching, the Ministry of Labor will launch special inspections for high-temperature outdoor work and follow-up checks for heat hazard improvements starting June 1, totaling 3,230 sessions. According to the new Occupational Safety and Health Act, which takes effect in July, violators may face fines ranging from NT$50,000 to NT$3 million. The Ministry of Labor held its regular press briefing today, where Chang Kuo-ming, Director of the Occupational Hygiene and Health Division at the Ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), stated that with rising temperatures across the country, the Ministry will simultaneously roll out a dual-track protection mechanism from June 1 to prevent occupational disasters such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion among outdoor workers. Chang pointed out that the dual-track mechanism includes special high-temperature outdoor inspections and follow-up checks for heat hazard improvements. The former will target high-risk workplaces like construction and road repair sites with intensified labor inspections, with 230 sessions planned. If violations are found, in addition to a one-week deadline for improvement, a comprehensive re-inspection will follow. Furthermore, Chang said the latter will introduce a follow-up check mechanism for general outdoor work, with 3,000 sessions planned. If an inspection agency finds inadequate on-site protection, besides requiring improvement within a set period, the employer must also upload images of the improvements to a designated website. The Occupational Safety and Health Prevention and Rehabilitation Center will then assist in verifying the implementation of the protective measures. Those who fail to report or show unsatisfactory improvement will be targeted for priority spot checks. According to statistics, last year's inspections for high-temperature heat hazards resulted in 23 penalties, totaling NT$780,000 in fines. Chang reminded employers that under the new Occupational Safety and Health Act effective July 1, violators could be fined between NT$50,000 and NT$3 million, urging them to properly implement heat hazard protection measures. (Editor: Wu Su-jou)