Effective June 1, 2025! Heatstroke Prevention Becomes Mandatory Under Revised Industrial Safety and Health Regulations – Key Points and Challenges for Corporate Managers

Effective June 1, 2025, the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations will be revised, making heatstroke prevention measures mandatory for all business operators. This amendment is a crucial step to prevent the rising number of heatstroke cases in workplaces and to protect the safety and health of workers.

[Effective June 2025] What is the revision to the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations?

This revision to the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations more specifically defines the heatstroke prevention measures that business operators must implement and mandates their execution. While employers have always been required to implement heatstroke prevention measures based on their duty to ensure worker safety, this revision establishes a clearer legal basis and requires more specific actions.

Background behind the mandatory heatstroke prevention measures under the revised Industrial Safety and Health Regulations

In recent years, the number of heatstroke cases in workplaces has been on the rise due to the effects of global warming and abnormally high temperatures during the summer. For workers engaged in outdoor tasks or high-temperature, high-humidity indoor work in particular, heatstroke has become a serious health risk. Given this situation, it has been decided to mandate more effective heatstroke prevention measures for employers to ensure the safety and health of workers.

Content of the mandatory heatstroke prevention measures under the revised Industrial Safety and Health Regulations

Under this revision, business operators are required to implement the following two major measures and ensure they are communicated to all workers.

1) Point 1 | Establishment and Communication of a Reporting System for Heatstroke Patients

• Business operators must establish a system to ensure that, in the event a worker develops heatstroke, reports and communications are made promptly and appropriately.

• Reporting lines, contact information, and items to be reported must be clearly defined and thoroughly communicated to all workers engaged in the tasks.

• Specifically, it is required to define procedures such as who to report to, what information to report, and how to report it, create manuals, and communicate this information through training or posting notices.

2) Point 2 | Preparation and Communication of Measures to Prevent Worsening of Heatstroke

• Business operators must prepare appropriate measures in advance to prevent the symptoms of a worker who has developed heatstroke from worsening.

• Specifically, the following measures are anticipated.

• Preparation of First Aid Kits: Providing first aid kits equipped with cooling materials, beverages for hydration, thermometers, and information on first aid procedures.

• Establishment of Rescue Systems: Securing a cool place for workers suspected of having heatstroke to rest temporarily, and establishing a system for contacting medical institutions when necessary.

• Securing Transportation Means: Securing means to transport workers to medical institutions in case of an emergency.

• The details of these measures to prevent worsening and how to use them must also be thoroughly communicated to all workers engaged in the tasks.

Actions to be taken by companies

Following this revision of the regulations, companies need to specifically address the following points.

• Formulation of a Heatstroke Prevention Plan: Develop a concrete heatstroke prevention plan tailored to work tasks and environments.

• Management of Work Environment: Measure temperature, humidity, and radiant heat at work sites to determine the WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) index. Manage work hours and ensure rest periods based on WBGT values.

• Improvement of Work Methods: Implement measures to improve the work environment, such as upgrading heat-generating equipment, ensuring ventilation, and installing shade.

• Use of Protective Equipment: Provide and recommend breathable work clothing, hats, and protective gear with cooling functions.

• Thorough Health Management: Check health status before work, provide consideration for workers at high risk of heatstroke, and ensure early detection and response for those feeling unwell.

• Implementation of Education and Training: Conduct education and training for all workers regarding heatstroke prevention, symptoms, and first aid.

• Establishment and Dissemination of Reporting Systems and Deterioration Prevention Measures: Establish the newly mandated reporting systems and deterioration prevention measures, and ensure they are thoroughly communicated to all workers.

Regarding the Current Situation and Challenges

While many companies have likely been voluntarily implementing heatstroke prevention measures, this new mandate requires even more thorough and concrete responses.

The following points can be considered as current challenges:

• Delays in measures at small and medium-sized enterprises: Small and medium-sized enterprises with limited personnel and budgets may find it difficult to implement sufficient measures.

• Differences in measures based on industry and work content: Since appropriate measures vary depending on the industry and type of work—such as outdoor vs. indoor work, or light vs. heavy labor—a one-size-fits-all approach can be difficult.

• Manager awareness and leadership: It is crucial for managers to fully recognize the dangers of heatstroke and provide appropriate guidance, but differences in awareness and lack of knowledge can sometimes be observed.

• Raising worker awareness: Workers themselves need to understand heatstroke prevention measures and pay attention to their own health management, but awareness levels can sometimes be low.

• Building effective reporting systems and deterioration prevention measures: It is necessary to build an effective system that can respond quickly and appropriately if a heatstroke case actually occurs.

The revision of the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations, which will be enforced from June 1, 2025, is a vital measure for employers to protect the lives and health of their workers. Corporate managers must thoroughly understand the details of this revision and urgently implement the necessary measures tailored to their company's situation. Let us ensure the establishment and dissemination of reporting systems and heatstroke deterioration prevention measures to create an environment where workers can work with peace of mind.

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