With cases of workers suffering heatstroke on the rise, the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health has been amended to require companies to implement measures to prevent heatstroke at work from June 2025. This article looks at the status of workers’ heatstroke and details about company requirements.
[1] Industrial disasters resulting from summer heat
The Labour Ministry has published data about industrial accidents resulting from heat stress. In 2023, the number of heat stress disorders at work (cases resulting in death or absence of four days or more) has increased by 279 from a year ago to 1,106. The chart below shows the trend over the past ten years. About 40% of the cases were reported in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Chart: Cases of heat stress disorders at work
Among the 1,106 cases, 31 led to workers’ death, including twelve in construction and six in security services. Analysis of fatal accidents found that most of them occurred in the workplace where the heat stress index, or WBGT, was not being monitored and employees had not received education about industrial safety. Some of the affected workers had underlying conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which made them susceptible to heat stroke.
[2] New company requirements
From June 2025, companies will be mandated to implement the two measures described below.
1. Establishment of a report structure
Companies will be required to establish a structure to allow workers report immediately when they experience heat stress symptoms or notice that other workers show such symptoms. Contact persons or departments must be designated in each workplace where workers carry out “tasks involving the risk of heatstroke.”
“Tasks involving the risk of heatstroke” refers to work conducted under WBGT28 or a temperature of 31 degrees Celsius or higher continuously for one hour or more, or a total of four hours or more in a day.
2. Prevention measures and notification
The amended regulation requires companies to establish procedures in the case of heatstroke, e.g., (1) Make the worker leave from the ongoing task, (2) Cool the worker’s body, (3) Have a physician examine the worker or provide necessary treatment. The procedures should also include (4) The communication flow, contact number and address in the case of heatstroke accident. This information must be notified to relevant workers.
The Labour Ministry and an organization for preventing industrial accidents are jointly running a campaign to encourage businesses to implement necessary measures. The special website provides videos and materials for employers, health managers and field supervisors. Please make use of the information and take action as needed.
[Reference]
The Ministry of Labour, “Information about heat stroke prevention at work”
“Stop heat stroke! Cool work campaign”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000116133.html
The information is based on laws and regulations as of the date of the original article.
