Regarding the Enforcement of the Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, Effective June 1, 2025
Long time no see, it's BBA.
I usually use note as a tool for hobbies or jotting down miscellaneous notes, but since the content of this partial amendment to the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health is something you cannot afford to be ignorant of, I decided to take it up properly and use this space to inform you.
Upon reviewing this amendment, I found that legal frameworks have been established regarding corporate initiatives against heatstroke.
If you are a company such as a major general contractor or a subcontractor for a housing manufacturer, this is information you would know through new entrant training or notifications, but for sole proprietors, small town construction firms, factories, or local industries, there are times when people say "I didn't know," so I hope you will check it once more before the Labor Standards Inspection Office makes a surprise visit.
🤔Bubble Bomb Angel (commonly known as BBA)?
Sanitary Engineering Health Officer
Type 1 Health Officer
RST Trainer (Construction)
Heatstroke Prevention Instructor/Manager in Construction, etc.
Full-Harness Fall Arrest Equipment Special Education Instructor
2nd Grade Civil Engineering Construction Management Engineer
Type 3 Radiation Protection Supervisor
etc.
I am an old lady who has worked in 3K (difficult, dirty, dangerous) jobs like construction, plants, and factories for quite a long time.
When I was a public servant, I actually created company rules (related to industrial safety and health) in accordance with laws and regulations, and I was also someone who was in charge of special education at a general contractor.
If I counted just the qualifications in that field, I had about 50.
I have also been involved in three sites where fatal accidents occurred (I personally have no history of being referred to prosecutors or being punished).
If you are alive and healthy, humans can manage anything.
I am a former corporate slave who carried out my duties believing that.
📚Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Kihatsu No. 0520-6
In the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Kihatsu No. 0520-6 (dated May 20, 2025), a notification was sent to the directors of each prefectural labor bureau regarding the "Enforcement of the Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, etc."
It was promulgated on April 15, 2025, and will be enforced on June 1, 2025.
[Official Gazette] Reiwa7Year4Month15Day (Main Issue No.1445Issue)
Regarding the Enforcement of the Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, etc.
Comparison Table of New and Old Industrial Safety and Health Act
If you check the links above, you can confirm the relevant laws and the Kihatsu notification, but it is 32 pages long, and for those who are not interested, it is content that might cause complaints from the field such as "It's troublesome, let the safety person handle it," so please be aware that such a thing has been notified by the government (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) to the directors of each prefectural labor bureau.
⁉️Roughly what the content is
Applies to all workplaces (even in light work or office work, people can get heatstroke)
The definition of "hot places" has been established
It applies not only to workers but to everyone present at the same site to take heatstroke prevention measures
The obligation to take measures arises for both the prime contractor and the related contractors involved in the workplace (obligation for communication systems, education, treatment in case of heatstroke, etc.).
Violations do not occur only for the prime contractor; violations of the same article occur for all businesses involved in the workplace (not just the prime contractor, but subcontractors also share joint responsibility).
Establish a robust reporting system and ensure it is well-communicated.
Clearly communicate the reporting system, contact information, and emergency response procedures through postings or other means.
Create standard operating procedures for working in hot environments.
There are separate provisions for decontamination work and work at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (a comparison table of old and new guidelines is available).
In summary, these are the main points.
In particular,the three items in boldare the primary objectives of this new legal framework.
In short, the message is: 'Let's work together to prevent heatstroke, ensure everyone is fully aware of contact information so they can reach out in an emergency, and take the initiative to prevent heatstroke.'
Click here to view the materials from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
🚓 Are there any penalties or punishments?
Yes, there are.
Violations are subject to'imprisonment for up to 6 months or a fine of up to 500,000 yen.'
☀️ Heatstroke-related accident cases, etc.
The final figures for occupational heatstroke casualties in 2024 have been released again this year.
Although these are released annually, the number of deaths has exceeded 30 for three consecutive years, and the number of incidents has exceeded 1,000 for two consecutive years.
2024 Status of Occupational Heatstroke Casualties in 2024
If you click the link above, you can view detailed data such as accident case studies and the number of incidents by business establishment, so please check this link if you need further information.
⁉️ How long should heatstroke training take?
My impression is that many companies are considering around 3.5 hours.
🙇♀️ Summary
I have written this content to be 'roughly like this' without getting into difficult technicalities.
Given the timing, I assume each company is already implementing measures and training, so I have summarized it simply and broadly.
In this day and age, you can easily find more detailed materials, awareness-raising leaflets from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and notifications by searching online.
You can also ask AI for answers, so even if your company struggles to gather materials or finds training cumbersome, you can quickly have ChatGPT create the materials for you.
However, it is also a fact that only those with experience truly understand the reality of on-site situations, such as near-death experiences or work stoppages.
Although the laws have been updated, I hope you will take this opportunity to reaffirm why heatstroke is being discussed so much and how it occurs.
There have been past cases where symptoms appeared the next day, leading to death a week later.
There are also cases where elderly people at home have died from heatstroke, and indoor workers have been transported to the hospital due to heatstroke.
Heatstroke is something anyone can fall victim to, so never let your guard down.
I will conclude with these words.