Shin-Hanul NPP Units 3 and 4, THE H Daechi Edellui, and the Ulsan Shaheen Ethylene Facility (PK G1) are flagship projects representing Hyundai E&C’s nuclear power, housing, and plant business sectors. These sites are home to both seasoned veterans skilled in their work and ambitious new faces. Among them are the trios in their first year with the company. As they begin their careers in the field, they are acutely aware of the significant gap between theory and practice. Overcoming unfamiliarity, they are steadily honing their practical skills by learning from the expertise of their senior colleagues. Let's take a closer look at their journey of adaptation in the field.

I will become a specialized OSH (occupational safety & health) manager

that every nuclear power site needs!

Shin-Hanul NPP Units 3 & 4 Main Facility Construction, Manager LEE CHAERIM

Q. Since this is your first on-site assignment, adapting must have been quite a challenge.

Being new to the company, I found both the systems and the tasks unfamiliar, which took me quite a while to get adjusted. I tried to apply what I learned from the company’s knowledge portal and internal training programs to my work. More than anything, I was initially taken aback by the overwhelmingly high ratio of men on-site, but I focused on being proactive and taking on every task with enthusiasm. Thanks to my energetic approach, my nickname on-site is “Captain Lee.” (Laughs)

Q. Last October, you represented Hyundai E&C at the groundbreaking ceremony for Shin-Hanul Units 3&4.

My experience reading the declaration as the builder representative at the client's Zero-Accident Resolution event led me to take on the role of site representative at the groundbreaking ceremony. This opportunity reinforced my sense of responsibility and has driven me to take an even more proactive approach to my role. 

As Hyundai E&C takes the lead in constructing Korea’s first domestic nuclear power plant in eight years - having built 22 out of 34 Korean-designed reactors worldwide - our site director and department heads are demonstrating remarkable passion and dedication. Working in such a specialized megaproject environment, I have the privilege of learning from senior colleagues who are experts in their respective fields. Watching them, I am determined to become a specialized occupational health manager myself, and I am actively preparing for that future.

Q. OSH management must be particularly critical on a nuclear power plant construction site.

Every construction site contains hazardous substances and confined spaces, requiring extra caution. For instance, in the ongoing civil works, gasoline consumption is high. Since gasoline contains benzene, we attach warning signs and handling notices during storage for its management. As construction advances, we expect to have over 60 confined spaces. Nuclear powerplant structures also include numerous pipelines transporting hazardous gases like nitrogen and CO2, requiring rigorous control. 

Q. What is Hyundai E&C’s greatest strength in OSH management?

I would say active network among OSH managers. When I was first assigned to a construction site and felt overwhelmed about where to start, I had a chance to attend a three-day training session at the Hyundai Technical Training Institute, where I received both job-specific training as well as a chance to connect with OSH managers from other sites. Exchanging information and sharing on-site challenges greatly helped me, as a newcomer to the site, to adapt quickly to the field.

I will be the steward of the housing construction site 

closest to our customers! 

Daechi The H Edellui Site, Manager SON WOOYOUNG

Q. Since this is your first site assignment, you must face many challenges.

Dealing with civil complaints still is the most difficult aspect. Since the construction site is in an urban area, complaints naturally occur quite frequently. Finding a middle ground can be quite complex for complaints. More importantly, since all responses are sent as official documents, just one word can shift the entire direction of the complaint process, so I must be extra careful compared to other tasks.

Q. What efforts have you made to adapt to your job?

I believe that all construction work is ultimately carried out on-site. That’s why I tried to visit the site frequently to observe how construction equipment is used, what tasks workers are performing, and where materials are located. Since many of the terminologies and technical knowledge used on-site were new to me, I tried to learn by having in-depth discussions with site supervisors and subcontractors. As a result, I have gained a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the overall workflow.

Q. Since THE H Daechi Edellui is a high-end residential complex in a prime location in Daechi-dong, you must approach your work with a strong sense of commitment.

The name Edellui is a combination of EDEL, meaning “noble” and “valuable,” and LUIRE, meaning “to shine.” It embodies Hyundai E&C’s commitment to creating a residential space as valuable and radiant as a jewel. True to this vision, I approach my work with a strong sense of dedication and passion to deliver the highest-quality living environment. From the site director to the staff, everyone takes immense pride in being part of Hyundai E&C’s high-end housing project in such a prime Daechi-dong location, carrying a deep sense of responsibility in every aspect of the project.

I will become an expert, 

driving the optimization of plant construction sites!

Ulsan Shaheen Ethylene Facility Construction PKG1, Manager KOO JAKYUN

Q. Plant-related terminology can be unfamiliar. Please explain your work in simple terms. 

The electrical team in the project delivery team is responsible for managing electrical design drawings and overseeing their fabrication and installation. My main task is to facilitate the timely preparation and distribution of drawings to keep pace with the construction schedule. Another role of mine is to verify and inspect whether the components fabricated by subcontractors conform to the design drawings. I also coordinate and manage delivery schedules to ensure that electrical equipment arrives on time, minimizing any disruptions to the construction process. 

Q. What has been the most difficult aspect of your work at your first site?

Ensuring the timely delivery of electrical equipment remains a challenge for me. If equipment arrives too early, prolonged storage could lead to potential issues with equipment. On the other hand, if it arrives too late, the project schedule may be delayed, making it impossible to meet the overall timeline. I need to adjust delivery dates by considering various factors such as design changes, current construction progress, and dependencies with other processes to ensure that electrical equipment arrives on-site at the right time. This is an area where I still have much to learn and gain experience.

Q. What competencies are essential for your role?

I believe communication skills are essential, as coordination between the design team and subcontractors is critical. Unlike civil, architectural, or residential construction, electrical work in plant sites involves the installation of extensive piping systems, large equipment, and piperacks, which requires constant checks for clashes and interface issues with other construction work. The only way to effectively resolve unexpected problems that arise in the process is through smooth communication.

Q. The Shaheen Project is the largest petrochemical project in Korea’s history. How would you describe the work atmosphere on-site?

As you pointed out, the scale of the project is remarkable. Given its status as the largest petrochemical project in Korea’s history, expectations are naturally high, and every team member is fully committed, working diligently with passion and responsibility. At times, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride, knowing that this is my first field experience and that I am contributing to such a massive undertaking. (Laughs) In particular, watching senior managers - many of whom have extensive experience - devote themselves wholeheartedly to their work motivates me to accelerate my learning and improve my skills every day.