Japan companies step up efforts to prevent heatstroke
Japanese companies have stepped up their efforts to prevent their employees from suffering heatstroke as temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of Japan this summer. General contractor Obayashi had its employees work at construction sites from 7 a.m. to 1 …
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Japanese companies are taking measures to prevent heatstroke among their employees, including adjusting work hours and providing recreational vehicles with air conditioners. The companies are also introducing new uniforms and sharing measures and products used to deal with heat.
Imagine you're working outside on a really hot day. You might feel dizzy or sick because of the heat. Some companies in Japan are trying to help their workers stay safe by changing their work hours or giving them special vehicles to rest in. They're also teaching workers how to stay cool and healthy.
Analysis
Heatstroke Prevention Measures in Japan's Companies
Japanese companies have been taking various measures to prevent heatstroke among their employees, particularly during the hot summer months. One such measure is adjusting work hours to avoid the peak heat of the day. General contractor Obayashi, for instance, had its employees work at construction sites from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in July and August, earlier than their usual work hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This change was made to further reduce the risk of heatstroke, according to an official.
Another company, West Japan Railway, has provided workers in charge of on-site maintenance and inspections with an app developed by the company to allow such workers to obtain information on heatstroke prevention. At the company, examples of measures and products used to deal with heat are being shared. In September, short-sleeved polo shirt uniforms will be introduced on a trial basis to about 15,000 station staff and crew members. The uniforms will offer improved breathability and sweat absorption.
Seibu Railway is providing staff working in mountainous regions with recreational vehicles equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators, and other amenities to serve as rest areas and to improve work efficiency. Previously, a round trip to a rest area took about 40 minutes in total. Heatstroke measures are also being undertaken at busy commercial facilities. At a beer garden on the rooftop of Matsuya department store in the upscale Ginza district in Tokyo, employees put stickers on their arms to get a visual representation of changes in their body temperature under a demonstration program with cosmetics and health food company Fancl, which supplies the stickers.
An employee of Matsuya department store's rooftop beer garden in Ginza, Tokyo, wears a sticker that indicates body temperature on her arm on Aug. 6. | JIJI
The kitchen is especially hot, said Mizuki Shimomura, a 23-year-old employee. As the color of my sticker changes, I've become more conscious about drinking water. Last year, the ordinance on industrial safety and health was revised to oblige business operators to implement measures against heatstroke. According to a survey conducted by research company Teikoku Databank in July, 50.0% of companies said their operations had been disrupted by intense heat.
KEYWORDS heatstroke (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/heatstroke) , health (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/health)
Key points
- Japanese companies are taking measures to prevent heatstroke among their employees, including adjusting work hours and providing recreational vehicles with air conditioners.
- The companies are also introducing new uniforms and sharing measures and products used to deal with heat.
- Heatstroke measures are being undertaken at busy commercial facilities, such as beer gardens and department stores.
- The ordinance on industrial safety and health was revised last year to oblige business operators to implement measures against heatstroke.
If these heatstroke prevention measures are successful, it could lead to a reduction in heat-related illnesses and deaths among Japanese workers. Additionally, the implementation of these measures could set a precedent for other companies to follow, leading to a cultural shift towards prioritizing worker safety and health.
However, there are concerns that these measures may not be enough to prevent heatstroke, particularly in extreme heat conditions. Additionally, the cost of implementing these measures could be a burden for some companies, potentially leading to a decrease in their competitiveness.