Japan Firms Boost Heatstroke Prevention Efforts

Tokyo, Aug. 14 (Jiji Press)–Japanese companies are promoting efforts to prevent employees from suffering heatstroke as temperatures passed 40 degrees Celsius at some locations in the country this summer. General contractor Obayashi Corp. employees work at construction sites from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in July and August, earlier than their usual work hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The company aimed to “further reduce the risk of heatstroke” by introducing the summer shift, an official said. If a construction schedule is affected by the shift, work hours are extended when temperatures are low. Since May, West Japan Railway Co., or JR West, has provided workers in charge of on-site maintenance and inspections with an app developed by the company to allow such workers to check information on heatstroke prevention. At the company, examples of efforts and goods to deal with heat are being shared. In September, short-sleeved polo shirt uniforms will be introduced on a trial basis to about 15,000 station staff and crew members. While maintaining the design of the conventional short-sleeved shirts, the uniforms will offer improved breathability and sweat absorption. Seibu Railway Co. uses recreational vehicles equipped with air conditioners, refrigerators and other amenities as rest areas for staff working in mountainous areas to improve work efficiency. Previously, a round trip to a rest area took about 40 minutes in total. Heatstroke measures are also being taken at busy commercial facilities. At a beer garden on the rooftop of Matsuya Co.’s department store in the upscale Ginza district in Tokyo, employees put stickers on their arms to visualize changes in body temperature under a demonstration program with cosmetics and health food company Fancl Corp., which provides the stickers. “The kitchen is especially hot,” Mizuki Shimomura, a 23-year-old employee, said. “As the color (of my sticker) changes, I’ve become more conscious about drinking water.” Last year, the ordinance on industrial safety and health was revised to oblige business operators to take measures against heatstroke. According to a survey conducted by research company Teikoku Databank Ltd. in July, 50.0 pct of companies said their operations had been disrupted by intense heat. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]