I: Objectives, Etc.

1 Objectives

In combination with the Industrial Safety and Health Law, pertinent regulations, as well as the standards for the improvement of vehicle driver working hours (MOL Notice No. 7; 1989; hereinafter called the "improvement standards notice"), etc., these guidelines are aimed at promoting the prevention of industrial traffic accidents by positively encouraging the establishment of a management structure at workplace for industrial traffic accident prevention, appropriate working hour management, etc., vehicle operational management, providing education for driver, health preservation as well as raising awareness with respect to industrial traffic accident prevention.

2 Industrial traffic accidents subject to these guidelines

Industrial traffic accidents subject to these guidelines shall be involving automobiles and motorbike (hereinafter called "vehicle, etc.") that occur on the road or within the premises of workplaces.

3 Responsibility of employers and drivers

Employer who assigns workers to drive vehicle, etc. (hereinafter called "employer") shall follow these guidelines in endeavoring to prevent industrial traffic accidents by positively promoting measures to prevent industrial traffic accidents at workplaces.

Worker who operates vehicle, etc. (hereinafter called "driver") shall endeavor to prevent industrial traffic accidents by observing all required items such as the employer's instructions, etc., as well as cooperating with the steps for the prevention of industrial traffic accidents implemented by the employer.

II: Management Structure for the Prevention of Industrial Traffic Accidents

1 Establishing a management structure for the prevention of industrial traffic accidents

(1) Preparation of rules for the prevention of industrial traffic accidents

In order to set out the basic items for dealing with the prevention of industrial traffic accidents at workplace, rules for the prevention of industrial traffic accidents shall be prepared with respect to the following items, and said rules shall be widely publicized among all drivers.

A. Management structure
B. Manager's duties
C. Items to be observed by driver
D. Contents of education and training for driver

(2) Appointment of manager in charge of industrial traffic accident prevention

A. A manager who will take charge of industrial traffic accident prevention (hereinafter called the "industrial traffic accident prevention manager") shall be appointed, and said manager shall be assigned the responsibility to carry out the following duties.

(a) Preparation of industrial traffic accident prevention promotion plans indicated in these guidelines
(b) Driving management
(c) Providing education, raising awareness, etc.

B. In appointing an industrial traffic accident prevention manager, a person who is in a position of being capable of performing the relevant duties shall be selected, and such person shall be delegated the necessary authority to perform such duties. In addition, a person who is able to render assistance as necessary in the performance of said duties shall also be appointed.

(3) Examination and deliberations at safety committees, etc.

Matters related to the prevention of industrial traffic accidents shall be examined and deliberated at industrial safety committee, etc. (meaning industrial safety committee, industrial health committee, industrial safety and health committee, etc.; hereinafter the same).

Efforts shall be made to ensure that matters examined and deliberated by the industrial safety committee the industrial health committee are regulated under Articles 17 and 18 of the Industrial Safety and Health Law (hereinafter called the "Law").

In this case, the industrial traffic accident prevention manager shall be appointed as a member of the industrial safety committee, etc.

In addition, it is desirable to intensively deal with the prevention of industrial traffic accidents by such means as installing an industrial traffic accident prevention subcommittee within the industrial safety committee, etc.

(4) Organizing the management structure for the prevention of industrial traffic accidents

The management organization for the prevention of industrial traffic accidents should be so organized that it can be operated in conjunction with a general industrial safety and health management organization, and should be a structure that enables the provision of thoroughgoing guidance on industrial traffic accident prevention within the operations of general industrial safety and health management.

2 Preparation of industrial traffic accident prevention promotion plan

In order to effectively promote the prevention of industrial traffic accidents, an industrial traffic accident prevention promotion plan shall be prepared through studies and deliberations by the industrial safety committee, etc., and such plan shall specify the following items.

A. Specific goals in consideration of the incidence of industrial traffic accidents in the past
B. Basic items to be implemented
C. Special items to be implemented
D. Timing or period for implementation of the plan
E. Personnel in charge of implementation and those who actually carry out such implementation

Overall, efforts shall be made to promote the effectiveness of such measures by periodically evaluating such matters as the extent to which the plan is being achieved and the demonstrated effectiveness of the plan.

III: Appropriate Working Hour Management and Driving Management

1 Appropriate working hour management

In order to prevent industrial traffic accidents caused by the fatigue of driver, efforts shall be made to full observe the standards for the improvement of driver's working hours, etc., as specified in the improvement standards notice, the special exceptions relating to the total hours spent in work and rest periods for vehicle driver engaged in activities other than the general passenger vehicle transportation business (Labor Standards Bureau Notice No. 92; March 1, 1989), and the standards for the improvement of working hours, etc., for vehicle driver (Labor Standards Bureau Notice No. 93; March 1, 1989).

2 Appropriate driving management

(1) Formulating driving plan

A. Investigating driving routes

When driver is assigned to operate vehicle, etc., information shall be gathered on road conditions, the required driving time, traffic control, speed limits, fuel locations, en-route inspection locations, rest/nap/meal locations, dangerous locations, weather, etc., from investigations conducted in advance, road maps, past driving records, radio reports, etc., and such information shall be used in determining appropriate driving routes, deploying vehicle, etc., suitable for driving such routes, and informing the driver of any items necessary for driving safety.

In addition, efforts shall be made to convey such information to driver in an easy-to-understand way by means such as preparing traffic safety information maps incorporating such information, or general guidance maps, and distributing such maps to the driver.

B. Preparing driving plans

In order to prevent industrial traffic accidents caused by the fatigue of driver, suitable driving plans shall be prepared that set reasonable and appropriate driving hours, etc., based on the improvement standards notice, etc., and the investigation of driving routes specified in Item A above.

With respect to the necessary procedures for preparing work plans involving the driving of truck, etc., in off-road locales, the requirements prescribed in Article 151-3 thorough Article 151-7 of the Industrial Safety and Health Regulation (hereinafter called the "Regulation") shall be strictly observed.

(2) Appropriate driving management by driving records, etc.

The actual driving performance of driver shall be continuously monitored through driving records such as daily driving reports in order to conduct appropriate management of driving operations based on the driving plan, and improvement measures shall promptly be taken in the event any problems are noted.

In the case of using vehicle equipped with metering devices such as tachographs, appropriate driving management shall be conducted on the basis of such records, which shall also be utilized as reference materials in providing driving safety guidance, etc.

(3) Prevention of industrial traffic accidents at the time of workers to and from workplace

In the case of workers to and from workplace by vehicle such as microbus or van, the following items in addition to those listed in (1) above shall be carried out.

A. From among those with the necessary qualification for driving the vehicle used, the driver assigned shall be those who are fully qualified and who demonstrate a high level of skills.

B. In the case of driving in particularly dangerous places, such as railway crossings (excluding those equipped with automatic crossing gates or attended crossings), places with an obstructed view, narrow sites, and roads with soft shoulders, a qualified person with adequate skills shall be appointed in advance to serve as a guide, and clear hand signals that the guide can use in providing directions shall be established.

C. In the case of requiring worker to engage in vehicle driving operation after doing work other than vehicle driving, consideration shall be given to reducing non-driving work in order to prevent industrial traffic accidents due to driver fatigue.

(4) Vehicle inspections

A. Inspections before driving

In order to secure the safety of vehicle, etc., implementation guidelines shall be established concerning the specific methods of inspecting vehicle, etc., before they are driven, and such inspections shall be conducted on the basis of these implementation guidelines.

In the event any abnormality is observed during such inspections, repairs and/or other appropriate steps shall be undertaking immediately.

With respect to such inspections before driving and follow-up steps in the case of using truck, etc., the pertinent provisions in Articles 151-75 and 151-76 of the Regulation shall be carefully observed.

B. En-route inspections

In the event long-distance runs are involved, driver shall be required to inspect the condition of the vehicle, etc., and the cargo at periodic intervals during the route.

In this case, such inspections shall be incorporated in the driving plan.

C. Inspections after driving

In order to secure the safety of vehicle, etc., implementation guidelines shall be established concerning the specific methods of inspecting vehicle, etc., after they are driven, and such inspections shall be conducted on the basis of these implementation guidelines.

In the event any abnormality is observed during such inspections, repairs and/or other appropriate steps shall be undertaking immediately.

(5) Roll call inspections, etc.

In order to secure driving safety, roll call inspections prior to driving shall be conducted, at which time the attire, shoes, etc., of driver as well their physical condition shall be checked.

Driver who appears to be in poor physical condition at the time of the roll call inspection prior to driving shall be prohibited from driving and steps shall be taken to ensure that they take appropriate rest.

(6) Steps in case of abnormal weather, etc.

In the event that safe driving conditions may possibly be compromised due to abnormal weather, natural disasters, etc., driver shall be provided with the necessary instructions in order to secure driving safety.

In cases of abnormal weather, natural disasters, etc., a full and clear understanding of the situation shall be ascertained and efforts shall be made to promptly convey such details to drivers, as well as to provide appropriate instructions as necessary such as discontinuing the run, temporarily waiting in safe places or proceeding with extreme caution.

In such cases, driver shall be required to contact the workplace as appropriate and follow the instructions given.

(7) Appropriate cargo loading

In case driver is assigned to operate trucks with cargo loads, the following items in particular must be fully observed.

A. Not exceeding the maximum load.
B. Carefully loading cargos to prevent any load imbalance.
C. Fastening the cargo with ropes or providing tarpaulin covers to prevent any cargo shifting or falls.

With respect to Items A ~ C above, the related provisions in Articles 151-10 and 151-66 of the Regulation must be fully observed.

(8) Safety devices, etc., to be installed on vehicle

In order to try to prevent industrial traffic accidents and/or to minimize damage in case an accident does occur, it is desirable to equip vehicle with safety devices such as antilock brakes, air bags, etc.

(9) Emergency tools, etc.

To allow for emergency repairs in case of trouble, etc., during driving, all vehicles shall be equipped with appropriate tools and equipment, such as chocks, jacks, wrenches to install and remove tires, screwdrivers, pliers, insulating tape, spare tires, spare light bulbs and spare fuses.

In addition, in order to provide first aid in case of injuries during driving, all vehicles shall be equipped with first-aid equipment and supplies such as tourniquets and bandages.

IV. Education and Driver Certification System

1. Education, etc.

(1) Education for industrial traffic accident prevention management

Industrial traffic accident prevention managers, etc., shall be provided with education on such matters as their duties as well as the contents of the rules for industrial traffic accident prevention as outlined in Section II-1-(1).

(2) Education at the time of employment, etc.

In conducting education at the time of employment as specified in Paragraph 1, Article 59 of the Law, newly hired driver shall be provided with education on those matters that driver should observe, such as obeying traffic regulations, matters requiring attention while driving, and shall be encouraged to strictly observe the regulations requiring inspections before driving, and shall be provided with on-the-job guidance by making arrangements for them to be accompanied by veteran driver, etc., who has abundant knowledge and experience in driving safety.

Moreover, in conducting education as specified in Paragraph 2, Article 59 of the Law for those who will become driver due to changes in their work contents, the education and guidance provided shall be in conformity with the education and guidance for newly hired drivers.

(3) Daily education

Driver shall be provided with education on those matters that driver should observe, such as obeying traffic regulations, matters requiring attention while driving, and shall be encouraged to strictly observe the regulations requiring inspections before driving.

In assigning driver to routes that he has never driven before, guidance shall be provided concerning all necessary matters for driving safety by utilizing information such as past driving records and road maps.

(4) Traffic danger prediction training

It is desirable to continuously conduct traffic danger prediction training to enable driver to acquire the necessary skills for driving safety by providing training in predicting the potential dangers of industrial traffic accidents and planning prevention measures through the use of illustrations, photos, etc., that assume actual driving scenarios.

(5) Driving safety instructor system and practical training in driving safety

In order to promote the thoroughgoing conduct of driving safety, it is desirable to introduce a driving safety instructor system in which driver guidance is provided by arranging for qualified persons to accompany driver and provide guidance.

In such cases, the qualifications, activities, etc., of driving safety instructors shall be determined in accordance with the actual circumstances of each workplace.

In addition, it is desirable to conduct practical training in driving safety to acquire the necessary skills for safe driving by such means as utilizing organizations that carry out practical training in driving safety practices.

(6) Seminars on industrial traffic accident prevention

Drivers shall be provided with knowledge on industrial traffic accident prevention by holding seminars on this theme (such as case studies of industrial traffic accidents and the reconfirmation of traffic regulations) or by making arrangements for driver to attend seminars provided by related organizations.

2 Driver certification system, etc.

(1) Driver certification system

It is desirable to introduce a driver certification system whereby driving operations are restricted only to those who have completed certain education and guidance or those who passed a certification test. This system would be used to select potential driver from among those who has necessary qualifications for driving the applicable vehicle, etc.

The contents of education, guidance and certification tests shall be determined in accordance with the actual circumstances of each workplace.

(2) Driving aptitude tests

In order to understand the physiological and psychological characteristics of driver, it is desirable to conduct driving aptitude tests by such means as utilizing organizations which carry out such testing, notifying the driver of the test results, and providing guidance as required on driving safety based on the results.

In this connection, proper attention must be given to handling the results of such testing from the viewpoint of ensuring privacy protection.

V. Health Preservation

1 Medical examinations

(1) Implementing medical examinations

Appropriate steps shall be taken to ensure that medical examinations are carried out for driver, and that health guidance, etc., is promoted on the basis of the results through a comprehensive understanding of driver health conditions.

Although the provisions of Article 66 of the Law require the implementation of medical examinations at the time of employment and regular checkups once every year, careful attention must be given to the fact that regular medical examinations must be conducted at least once in every six-month period for driver engaged in various operations, including late-night.

(2) Measures based on the results of medical examinations

With respect to those drivers for which positive or cautionary findings are observed during medical examinations, appropriate follow-up measures shall be taken, such as providing guidance on proper treatment as required, providing guidance on whether they can continue driving operations, as well as points requiring special attention concerning driving safety, all as based on the views of industrial physician, etc.

2 Maintaining and promoting the health of both mind and body

In order maintain and promote the health of driver in both mind and body, measures aimed at continuously and systematically maintaining and promoting health at workplaces shall be carried out.

3 Recovery from fatigue during driving

In order to prevent industrial traffic accidents due to fatigue, driver shall be provided with guidance to encourage steps to overcome fatigue while driving, such as by means of stretching his shoulders, arms and back and performing other exercise in the course of driving his routes.

VI: Raising Awareness Concerning Industrial Traffic Accident Prevention, Etc.

1 Raising awareness concerning industrial traffic accident prevention

Efforts shall be made to raise the awareness of driver concerning industrial traffic accident prevention by such means as soliciting and posting posters or slogans, posting photographs of the scenes of industrial traffic accidents, establishing a commendation system, announcing driver with commendable records, and holding industrial traffic accident prevention rallies.

2 Preparing traffic danger maps

Efforts shall be made to call the attention of driver to industrial traffic accident prevention by preparing, distributing and posting traffic danger maps indicating danger spots, matters requiring attention, etc., based on traffic accident experience and case examples in which driver felt themselves exposed to the potential danger of a traffic accident (such as examples of near-miss cases).

3 Industrial traffic accident prevention for general workers

For general workers in addition to driver, efforts shall be made to prevent industrial traffic accidents by such means as requiring their active participation in traffic safety seminars, etc., conducted by related administrative agencies, etc.