The use of electronic application system is becoming increasingly widespread for social insurance and other administrative applications, as the use of the system has become mandatory for some applications and also because of the system’s increased convenience. From January 2025, electronic filing will become mandatory for certain labor, safety and health applications.
[1] Applications that must be submitted through the electronic system
Report on workers’ death, illness or injuries
Report on the appointment of general health and safety supervisor, safety officer, health supervisor and industrial physician
Report on regular health examination results
Report on the results of examinations for assessing the degree of psychological burden (“stress check”)
Report on dental examination results for workers engaged in harmful work
Report on health examination results for workers handling organic solvents, etc.
Report on the status of pneumoconiosis examinations
Electronic filing is also available for many other applications, including the notification of the installation, relocation and change of scaffolding or local exhaust ventilation, etc. (those submitted in line with the Article 88 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act), or reports on special health examination results relating to specified chemical substances.
[2] Merits of electronic filing
By using electronic application, filing can be completed anytime without actually visiting the Labor Standard Inspection Office. Some companies might wonder if electronic signature or certificate will be required for electronic filing, but they are not necessary for electronic applications that will become mandatory in January.
However, preparation in the three steps below is needed before starting electronic filing.
Step 1 Registration of an e-Gov account
Step 2 Browser setting
Step 3 Installation of the application
[3] Common misunderstanding about the report on workers’ death, illness or injuries
Some companies mistakenly consider that the report on workers’ death, illness or injuries must be submitted when workers received compensation for absence from work. However, the report must be submitted when an industrial accident has occurred, even if a worker’s absence is less than four days and is not entitled to compensation. The purpose of the report on workers’ death, illness or injuries is to understand the status of industrial accidents and prevent recurrence. The report is stipulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health and not by the Workers Compensation Insurance Act.
Electronic application becomes mandatory in several months. Please make necessary preparations in good time.
[Reference]
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “Electronic filing of a part of applications relating to labor, safety and health becomes mandatory”
https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/tokyo-roudoukyoku/hourei_seido_tetsuzuki/anzen_eisei/denshishinsei.html
“Please use online application to the Labor Bureau and the Labor Standards Inspection Office”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/roudoukijun/denshishinsei.html
*The information is valid as of the date of this article.
