According the recently released data on industrial accidents in fiscal 2022, work-related fatality was a record low, but the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents resulting in four or more days of absence was the largest in 20 years. This article looks at the status of occupational accidents and provides the outline of the government’s 14th Industrial Accidents Prevention Plan, started this fiscal year.
[1] Fatal and non-fatal industrial accidents
Between January and December 2022 were reports of 132,355 fatal and non-fatal work-related accidents resulting in at least four days of absence, excluding cases related to the coronavirus infections. The number increased from 1,769 last year and marked 20-year high. The 13th Industrial Accidents Prevention Plan, which ended on March 31, 2023, was aimed to reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents by more than 5% from the levels in 2017 by 2022, but the goal could not be achieved with cases increasing by 9.9%.
Based on the 13th Industrial Accidents Prevention Plan, efforts were focused particularly in the land freight transportation, retailing, social welfare facilities and restaurant and bar industry. However, accidents increased in all these areas from the 2017 levels. Particularly, accidents in social welfare facilities rose as much as 46.3% from 2017.
By accident type, “falls on the same level” was the most prevalent with 35,295 cases, followed by 20,879 cases of “bodily reaction, overexertion,” and 20,620 cases of “falls to a lower level.”
[2] The 14th Industrial Accidents Prevention Plan
The industrial Accidents Prevention Plan is the government’s medium-term program, which sets industries to concentrate efforts by the government, companies and workers to reduce industrial accidents. The 14th Plan has been started this fiscal year. The plan sets following objectives regarding the numbers of fatal and non-fatal accidents as described in [1].
- Reduce fatal and non-fatal accidents in land transport businesses by at least 5% by 2027 from the 2022 level.
- Reduce fatal and non-fatal accidents by “caught in/between machines” in the manufacturing industry by at least 5% by 2027 from the 2022 level.
To reduce work-related injuries or deaths, the Plan also cites other measures, such as establishment of a workplace where older workers can carry out duties safely, steps to prevent accidents resulting from workers’ behaviors, and strengthening of safety and health measures in the fields where the number of workers is rapidly increasing or the turnover rate is high, such as the tertiary industry.
The Labour Ministry and prefectural labor bureaus encourage employers to take actions to prevent industrial accidents during the “National Safety Week” from July 1st to 7th, and its preparation month from June 1st to 30th. Please take this opportunity to check workplace safety and health management structure, review safe operation manuals and prevent accidents in the workplace.
[Reference]
Labour Ministry, “About the Industrial Accidents Prevention Plan”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000197308.html
“Status of industrial accidents in fiscal 2022”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_33256.html
“Fiscal 2023 National Safety Week implemented in July
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_32482.html
*The contents are valid as of the date of the article.
