Countermeasures Against Heat Stroke in Summer
TAISEI CORPORATION
| Publication date | May 12, 2021 (Posted on July 19, 2022) |
|---|---|
| Sector | Human Health, Industrial and economic activities |
Company Overview
Founded in 1873, TAISEI CORPORATION has been fulfilling the social responsibility as a construction company by being engaged in the development of safe, secure and attractive cities along with the development of social infrastructure. We have also been contributing to the reconstruction and recovery from large-scale natural disasters, as well as the strengthening of national land. We will continue to strive for sustainable growth and increase the corporate value while pursuing the group philosophy, "to create a vibrant environment for all members of society," and aim to create a society full of dreams and hopes for the next generation in harmony with nature.
Climate Change Impacts
Due to the extreme heat caused by global warming in the recent years, the number of deaths and injuries due to heat stroke among all workplaces in Japan was 1,178 in 2018, followed by 829 deaths and injuries in 2019.
Considering this, we are focusing on measures to prevent heat stroke as one of the top priorities at work sites during the summer period.
Adaptation Initiatives
The three main pillars of measures against heat stroke are: work environment management, work management, and health management.
[Work Environment Management]
- It is necessary to understand the risk of heat stroke based on the heat index (WBGT value: wet-bulb globe temperature) and to take countermeasures such as calling for attention and taking breaks. It is also important to frequently monitor the heat condition of the actual working environment not only by the WBGT values provided as local information, but also by using a portable WBGT measuring device.
- Measures are taken depending on the environment of each work site, such as installing blowers, electric fans, and mist cooling devices, or preparing rest areas with roofs and air-conditioners.
- Work uniforms with cooling fans have been effective and are being widely used at work sites. In 2020, we have produced our original work uniform with air-conditioning fans (Fig. 1), in accordance with the entire changeover of work uniforms and helmets for our employees.
[Work Management]
- For workers who are not accustomed to working in a hot environment, it is important to avoid long working hours, and “heat acclimatize” by gradually getting used to the heat over the period of approximately seven days.
- Plenty and frequent intake of water and salt is reminded before and during working hours.
- We also use measures based on the latest medical knowledge, such as "palm cooling" which is an easy way to control the rise of the deep body temperature by cooling the palms or other tips and ends of the body.
[Health Management]
- Raising awareness toward the fact that lack of sleep, having a cold, heavy alcohol consumption on the previous day, skipping breakfast, or underlying diseases increase the risk of heat stroke.
- Workers in such conditions are asked to come forward in advance, and their working location will be allocated with consideration.
- During working hours, it is important that the supervisors go around and check the physical conditions of the workers and also for the workers themselves to pay attention to each other and communicate. We also remind them not to work alone and not to refrain from asking for help when they are not feeling well.
- When there are any symptoms suspected of heat stroke, it is important not to hesitate and seek medical attention promptly to avoid serious conditions.
- The opportunities to wear masks have increased as a countermeasure against COVID-19, but we also remind our workers that wearing masks increases the risk of heat stroke because the heat tends to accumulate in the body and it becomes difficult to feel thirst.
These countermeasures against heat stroke are notified through the company’s newsletters, warning posters (Fig. 2) and instruction videos.
Heat stroke cannot be prevented by introducing a single countermeasure, but we will aim to increase the effectiveness by combining various measures.
Effects / Expected Benefits
As a result of the various measures mentioned above, the cases of heat stroke has been decreasing across the company, and both the rate and severity of heat stroke have been maintained at a low standard compared with other major companies in the same industry.
