Latest news with #IndustrialSafetyandHealthLaw
Straits Times
04-08-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Fatal manhole accident in Japan: Hydrogen sulphide level reportedly exceeded legal limit
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A sewer manhole four workers died during an inspection had a concentration of hydrogen sulfide at least 15 times the legal level. SAITAMA, Japan - A sewer manhole where four workers died during an inspection had a concentration of hydrogen sulfide at least 15 times the legal level, according to the contractor assigned to the work. The Saitama prefectural police believe that the workers may have inhaled hydrogen sulfide and are working to determine the exact cause of death. An investigation has been opened for suspected professional negligence resulting in death. Police on Aug 3 announced that the deceased were employees of a Saitama City-based civil engineering company hired by Gyoda city government to perform the inspection. According to the police, one of the workers was trying to climb down a ladder to the bottom of the sewer pipe, which had stopped flowing, when he lost consciousness and fell on the morning of Aug 2. The other three workers apparently fell while attempting to rescue him. All four were pulled from the pipe, where wastewater was about 1.8 meters deep, and were later pronounced dead at a hospital. None of the workers had any visible injuries. The Industrial Safety and Health Law requires that in locations where hydrogen sulfide may be generated, ventilation or other measures must keep concentrations at 10 ppm or less. According to the company, a reading of 30 ppm was recorded when work began. After the four men fell, a concentration of 150 ppm or higher was measured. None of the workers were wearing safety harnesses to prevent falls, nor masks to guard against oxygen deficiency. Police are examining whether there were any problems with the company's safety management. THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Yomiuri Shimbun
04-08-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide in Manhole Exceeded Legal Level; Police Probe Death of Workers Inspecting Pipe in Japan's Saitama Pref.
SAITAMA — A sewer manhole where four workers died during an inspection had a concentration of hydrogen sulfide at least 15 times the legal level, according to the contractor assigned to the work. The Saitama prefectural police believe that the workers may have inhaled hydrogen sulfide and are working to determine the exact cause of death. An investigation has been opened for suspected professional negligence resulting in death. Police on Sunday announced that the deceased were employees of a Saitama City–based civil engineering company hired by Gyoda city government to perform the inspection. According to the police, one of the workers was trying to climb down a ladder to the bottom of the sewer pipe, which had stopped flowing, when he lost consciousness and fell on Saturday morning. The other three workers apparently fell while attempting to rescue him. All four were pulled from the pipe, where wastewater was about 1.8 meters deep, and were later pronounced dead at a hospital. None of the workers had any visible injuries. The Industrial Safety and Health Law requires that in locations where hydrogen sulfide may be generated, ventilation or other measures must keep concentrations at 10 ppm or less. According to the company, a reading of 30 ppm was recorded when work began. After the four men fell, a concentration of 150 ppm or higher was measured. None of the workers were wearing safety harnesses to prevent falls, nor masks to guard against oxygen deficiency. Police are examining whether there were any problems with the company's safety management.
Yomiuri Shimbun
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Heatstroke Prevention: Caution Needed Even around End of Rainy Season
Heatstroke occurs when the body loses water and its ability to regulate temperature declines. Although heatstroke is often associated with midsummer, many people also suffer from it in May and June. This is attributable to the fact that it is more difficult for people to regulate their body temperature because high humidity means that sweat evaporates less. Sufficient caution is needed for this type of heatstroke, which is typical in the rainy season. In addition, during the period immediately after the end of the rainy season, the number of people suffering from heatstroke usually increases rapidly, as the body has not yet fully become used to the heat. Consciously acclimatizing to the heat by engaging in light exercise, such as walking, is considered effective. In recent years, about 90,000 people a year have been transported to a hospital by ambulance due to heatstroke in Japan, and more than 1,000 people died. Many of those who died from heatstroke were in their 70s and 80s. Elderly people are unlikely to be aware of the heat and their thirst, and they develop heatstroke without realizing it even at home. To prevent heatstroke, it is important to drink fluids frequently and use air-conditioning sufficiently. It is crucial that people around the elderly check on them and encourage them to use air-conditioning. The Industrial Safety and Health Law has been revised to require companies to strengthen measures against heatstroke in the workplace, starting this month. It can be said that the measure is necessary to protect the health of workers because extreme heat is becoming common. Employees with symptoms such as headaches, dizziness or unsteadiness should be detected promptly and allowed to rest. If their condition appears abnormal, they should be taken to a medical facility immediately. Workplace managers must establish such procedures and communication networks in advance. Deaths due to heatstroke are conspicuous in industries where people often work under the blazing sun, such as construction, manufacturing and transportation, but indoor workplaces are also at risk. It is likely important for employers to provide spacious break rooms where air conditioning and ways to hydrate are available, as well as to introduce well-ventilated work clothes and uniforms. With the summer vacation period approaching, the risk of heatstroke will rise further along with an increase in children's sports and outdoor activities. Sports organizations have increasingly introduced rules to suspend activities when the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) — known as the heat index — which is calculated from factors such as temperature and humidity, exceeds a certain threshold. Ingenuity is called for, such as introducing 'cooling times' during sports events to cool the body from the inside with sherbet-like beverages. Consideration also should be given to holding games in the morning or evening hours when it is cooler, or moving events to the winter season, without sticking to traditional practices. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 29, 2025)
Yomiuri Shimbun
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Heatstroke in Workplace: Preventive Measures and Quick Responses Will Save Lives
As the heat has been intensifying, the risk of heatstroke is increasing. Fatal cases have occurred while people were working, not only outside but inside as well. Companies must make every effort to take measures against heatstroke and ensure the safety of their employees. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has revised the ministerial ordinance attached to the Industrial Safety and Health Law, and from June will oblige all companies nationwide to strengthen heatstroke countermeasures in the workplace Companies are required to establish procedures and communication networks in advance to quickly identify employees showing signs of heatstroke and ensure they receive first aid and emergency transportation. Failure to establish such systems may result in fines or other penalties. The government is urging companies to take measures because there has been a spate of cases in recent years of people collapsing at work due to extreme heat. Last year, 30 people died nationwide, and over 1,000 people took four or more days off. Measures against heat are now one of the most important points in preventing workplace accidents. Heat-related deaths are not limited to outdoor work exposed to direct sunlight, such as construction or traffic control, but also occur in indoor settings like warehouses. Countermeasures against heat are even more critical in jobs that require protective suits or dust masks. Fatalities from heatstroke among those aged 65 or older have become noticeable. The graying of the workforce has increased the risk from heat. In environments with high temperatures and high humidity, the body's ability to regulate body temperature through sweating becomes impaired, leading to heatstroke. This results in a buildup of heat in the body, causing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and nausea. Firstly, it is essential to implement thorough preventive measures. It is important to take numerous steps, including frequent breaks, introducing shift work to reduce long working hours and scheduling work during cooler morning hours. However, workers tend to hesitate to request such things as breaks or hydration during work. Companies must keep an eye on conditions in the workplace and take steps to prevent workers from being exposed to high temperatures for prolonged spells. If employees or others develop symptoms of heatstroke, it is important that work be immediately halted and the affected individual cooled down. In severe cases, there should be no hesitation in calling an ambulance. Some local governments, such as the Gunma prefectural government, have introduced a system to allow the deadlines for public works projects to be extended when they fall behind schedule due to extreme heat. Such flexible measures are certainly necessary. If a person's body is not accustomed to heat, the risk of heatstroke further increases. For such workers as newly recruited employees, it is important to consider matters, such as working hours, and have them gradually get used to the heat. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 29, 2025)
