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Guideline

Guidelines for the Promotion of the Fifth Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Hazards Due to Dust

In Japanese

I. Purpose

The guidelines for furthering the comprehensive measures to prevent hazards due to dust (hereinafter called the "guidelines") are aimed at preventing the incidence and progress of pneumoconiosis by effectively promoting the Fifth Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Hazards Due to Dust (hereinafter called the "comprehensive measures") and by encouraging appropriate work environment control, work control and health preservation concerning dusty work from the mid-and long-term viewpoints.

In order to further reduce the incidence of those newly diagnosed with pneumoconiosis, the thorough implementation of measures for dusty work shall be promoted in the field of arc welding work, in which the number of those newly diagnosed with pneumoconiosis is high, and in the field of tunnel construction where the incidence rate is high.

II. Period of the plan

Five years starting in fiscal 1998 through fiscal 2002.

III. Items to be emphasized among the comprehensive measures

Among the comprehensive measures that should be carried out during the plan, the items to be emphasized include the following.

1 Promoting measures to prevent hazards due to dust in arc welding work
2 Promoting measures to prevent hazards due to dust in tunnel construction work
3 Promoting measures to prevent hazards due to dust in specified dusty work
4 Promoting health preservation after leaving the job

IV. Specific implementation items

In promoting the comprehensive measures, the following steps shall be implemented for each emphasized item.

1 Promoting measures to prevent hazards due to dust in arc welding work

(1) Thoroughly implementing steps to raise awareness about the dangers of dust

In order to increase awareness about the dangers of dust among both employers and workers engaged in arc welding work, thorough efforts shall be made through safety and health seminars, other group guidance activities, conferences of various related organizations, etc., to further publicize the dangers of dust, and education in conformity with special education shall be provided for workers engaged in arc welding.

In addition, using the opportunities of the special education prescribed in Item 3, Article 36 of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, education on the dangers of dust, methods of using respiratory protective equipment, etc., shall also be implemented.

(2) Clearly indicating dusty workplaces

In workplaces where arc welding work is conducted, signs that clearly indicate that the premises are engaged in dusty work shall be prominently displayed, along with the necessary signs concerning precautionary matters such as the proper way to wear respiratory protective equipment, etc.

(3) Promoting work environment improvements through the diffusion of push-pull type ventilation system, etc.

Dust dispersion prevention measures in arc welding work, including the installation of local exhaust ventilation system or push-pull type ventilation system shall be promoted among employers to improve the work environment.

In particular, it is sometimes claimed that dust dispersion prevention measures such as the installation of local exhaust ventilation system is difficult in certain types of work because they can lead to welding defects. However, as it is possible in some of these cases to implement effective measures for the source of the dust that do not lead to welding defects by using push-pull type ventilation system, the installation of such equipment shall be promoted in such cases.

(4) Fully enforcing requirements to wear respiratory protective equipment and promoting the proper methods to use such equipment

A. Fully enforcing requirements to wear respiratory protective equipment

One general principle in preventing hazards due to dust is to create a good working environment by not generating dust within the workplace through steps to contain dust in airtight spaces, wetting down dust to prevent its airborne circulation, or by removing workplace-generated dust by using local exhaust ventilation system, push-pull type ventilation system , etc. In the case of work where such steps to improve the environment are difficult, however, requirements to wear respiratory protective equipment should be fully enforced.

B. Promoting the appropriate selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment

Respiratory protective equipment shall be devices that have passed type approval and/or powered air purifying respirators as stipulated in Labor Standards Bureau Notification No. 767 of December 14, 1982 (including JIS T8157 powered air purifying respirator), and which are also considered as suitable for individual workers. In addition, it is important to maintain the original performance of respiratory protective equipment by daily observance of the requirements for inspections and care. In order to meet these purposes, the appropriate selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment shall be thoroughly implemented in accordance with the provisions of Labor Standards Bureau Notification No. 505 (Selection, Use, Etc., of Dust Respirators) dated August 6, 1996.

Further, the proper use of respiratory protective equipment shall be fully promoted by organizing a management record to log such items as filter replacement dates, and by appointing a protective equipment usage manager for each workplace to provide guidance on the proper usage, handling, etc., of respiratory protective equipment and conduct the maintenance management and disposal of such equipment. This appointment shall be made from among those who are qualified as a health supervisor, or who have knowledge, experience, etc., concerning industrial health.

(5) Further promoting health preservation measures

A. Promoting health preservation education for those diagnosed with pneumoconiosis

In order to prevent the progress of pneumoconiosis in those diagnosed, continuous health guidance by industrial physicians, etc., shall be implemented, and health preservation education shall be promoted on the basis of Labor Standards Bureau Notification No. 70 (Guidelines for Health Preservation Education for Those Diagnosed with Pneumoconiosis) dated February 3, 1997.

B. Full implementation of medical examinations for pneumoconiosis and follow-up steps based on the results

The implementation of medical examinations for pneumoconiosis for workers engaged in dusty work and follow-up steps based on the results shall be fully implemented. In particular, the following steps shall be respectively taken for those diagnosed with pneumoconiosis upon considering the actual situation of each worker: measures to reduce exposure to dust for those workers in Classification 2 under the Classification for Supervision of Pneumoconiosis; measures to reduce exposure to dust, or steps to transfer employees to work other than dusty work in case such measures are suggested in the provisions of Paragraph 1, Article 21 of the Pneumoconiosis Law (Law No. 30; 1960) for those workers in No. 3A; and measures to transfer employees to work other than dusty work for those workers in Classification 3B.

2 Full implementation of measures to prevent hazards due to dust and promotion of health preservation in tunnel construction work

(1) Thoroughgoing implementation of special education

The thoroughgoing implementation of special education for workers engaged in specific dusty work shall be promoted, and education in conformity with special education shall also be promoted for workers engaged in dusty work other than specific dusty work.

(2) Full enforcement of the requirement to wear respiratory protective equipment and the promotion of the proper methods of use

Measures similar to those in IV-1-(4) shall be promoted.

(3) Further promoting health preservation measures

Measures similar to those in IV-1-(5) shall be promoted.

(4) Guidance for master employers in the construction industry

Master employers in the construction industry shall provide the necessary guidance concerning measures to prevent hazards due to dust to be carried out by related subcontractors. In particular, this shall include providing guidance and assistance for special education, health preservation education, etc., and the training and development of special education instructors for dusty work within the workplace based on Labor Standards Bureau Notification No. 19 (Promotion of Special Education Concerning Specific Dusty Work) dated August 29, 1979, and Labor Standards Bureau Notification No. 30 (Implementation of Seminars for Special Education Instructors for Dusty Work in the Construction Industry) dated July 16, 1986.

3 Promoting measures to prevent hazards due to dust in specific dusty work

(1) Full implementation of work environment measurements and appropriate steps based on the results

While measures are stipulated for specific dusty work such as the installation of local exhaust ventilation system or push-pull type ventilation system, humidification, creating airtight environments, etc., based on the Ordinance on Prevention of Hazards Due to Dust, it is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of these dust-dispersion prevention measures in order to maintain a good working environment in indoor workplaces. For this purpose, work environment measurements shall be thoroughly implemented for indoor workplaces where specific dusty work is regularly performed.

For those workplaces classified as No. 2 or 3 on the basis of the work environment appraisal standards (the Ministry of Labour Notification No. 79, 1988) as a result of such measurements, inspections shall be conducted concerning the facilities, equipment, work processes and working methods based on Articles 26-3 and 26-4 of the Ordinance on the Prevention of Hazards Due to Dust. In accordance with the results of these inspections, all necessary measures such as installing or adjusting facilities or equipment and improving the work process or working method shall be undertaken. The contents of these improvement steps shall be recorded as prescribed in Paragraph 3, Article 26 of the same ordinance.

(2) Comprehensive examinations and inspections of local exhaust ventilation system, etc.

With respect to local exhaust ventilation system or push-pull type ventilation system and dust collectors, it is important to carry out periodic inspections so that they can fully meet their required performance levels. This requires that the legal periodic voluntary inspections and checks be thoroughly conducted for local exhaust ventilation system or push-pull type ventilation system and dust collectors, and that the voluntary inspections be carried out at a frequency of more than once a month.

Examination and inspection personnel in charge shall be appointed to conduct and/or oversee the legal periodic voluntary inspections and checks and voluntary inspections of all such equipment.

Furthermore, the periodic voluntary inspections of local exhaust ventilation system and dust collectors shall be implemented respectively on the basis of the periodic voluntary inspection guidelines for local exhaust ventilation system (Voluntary Inspection Guidelines Public announcement No. 5; February 23, 1983), and the periodic voluntary inspection guidelines for dust collectors (Voluntary Inspection Guidelines Public announcement No. 6; February 23, 1983). The assignment of examination and inspection personnel in charge shall be made from among those who have completed the periodic voluntary examiner seminar for local exhaust ventilation system, etc., as prescribed in Labor Standards Bureau Notification No. 563 (Training Seminars for Examiners Conducting Periodic Voluntary Inspections, Etc., of Local Exhaust Ventilation System, Etc.) dated October 11, 1983 (hereinafter called "Notification No. 563").

In order to promote the comprehensive examination and inspection of local exhaust ventilation system , etc., at workplaces of affiliated companies, employees of the parent company shall, to the extent possible, participate in the periodic voluntary inspection instructor seminars for local exhaust ventilation system, etc., as prescribed in Notification No. 563, and said persons shall pass on the necessary knowledge and skills to the examination and inspection personnel in charge at workplaces of the affiliated companies.

In addition, all equipment to provide airtight enclosures to contain dust sources, maintain humid conditions, and wet-type rock drills and their water source, shall be inspected before starting the day's work to ensure that these facilities and equipment will fully meet their required performance levels.

(3) Promoting measures against accumulated dust

One of the important measures to improve the working environment in dusty workplaces is to prevent the secondary billowing up of dust due to accumulated dust on the floor, etc., by always maintaining a clean workplace. Accordingly, personnel in charge of everyday cleaning and cleaning and removing accumulated dust more than once a month (hereinafter called the personnel in charge of cleaning accumulated dust) shall be appointed at workplaces where dusty work is conducted.

In implementing cleaning for removing accumulated dust, it is important to prevent the further spread of dust by using water or vacuum cleaners for cleaning. In particular, careful cleaning shall be implemented in the case of workplaces where dust containing a high content of free silicic acid is generated.

In order to promote the complete and thorough implementation of these items, general cleaning campaigns shall be conducted by taking advantage of opportunities such as the dust hazard prevention comprehensive measures promotion month.

(4) Full implementation of special education

Measures similar to the earlier portions of IV-2-(1) shall be promoted.

(5) Further promoting health preservation measures

Measures similar to IV-2-(5) shall be promoted.

4 Promoting health preservation after leaving the job

(1) Promoting health preservation measures for those diagnosed with pneumoconiosis who are leaving the job

As pneumoconiosis can still be diagnosed a long time after being engaged in dusty work, it is important to manage the results of pneumoconiosis medical examinations over a long period in promoting pneumoconiosis health preservation. Accordingly, when workers who have been engaged in dusty work or who have undertaken dusty work leave the employ of the employer due to the completion of a project, etc., said workers shall be provided with a set of the necessary documents for health preservation after leaving the job, such as certificates covering the results of pneumoconiosis medical examinations, etc., during the employment period, and the significance of said documents shall be clearly conveyed to the workers.

After those diagnosed with pneumoconiosis leave the job and thereby the employ of the employer, they must undertake pneumoconiosis health preservation by themselves. To assist them, the "Guidebook for Those Diagnosed with Pneumoconiosis Who Are Leaving the Job" (hereinafter called the "guidebook") shall be distributed to those in No. 2, 3A or 3B under the Classification for Supervision of Pneumoconiosis who plan to leave the job, to make them aware of the need for health preservation after leaving the job in order to prevent the progress and complications of pneumoconiosis.

Health preservation utilizing the guidebook shall also be promoted for those already in Classification 2, 3A or 3B under the Classification for Supervision of Pneumoconiosis who have left the job, and the guidebook shall be distributed as necessary to those no longer working for the employer.

(2) Promoting awareness on obtaining personal health records among those who plan to leave the job

In the event workers who satisfy the requirements to obtain their personal health records are expected to leave their jobs, the employer shall fully inform them of how to apply to receive their personal health records, etc., by referring to the guidebook, etc.

5 Measures to prevent hazards due to dust for work or business types not listed among the emphasized items of the comprehensive measures

With respect to work or business types not listed among the emphasized items among the comprehensive measures, measures to prevent hazards due to dust shall also be promoted by using the techniques of the existing comprehensive measures as necessary.

V. Basic techniques

The major techniques used by the Ministry of Labor in promoting the comprehensive measures are as follows.

1 Implementing guidance for related organizations, etc.

(1) Guidance for industrial accident prevention organizations and employer organizations

The Ministry shall request that the comprehensive measures to prevent hazards due to dust based on the guidelines be promoted among the headquarters and branches of industrial accident prevention organizations, the headquarters and branches of related industrial accident designated organizations, etc. The Ministry shall also request related employer organizations to voluntarily encourage campaigns to promote measures to prevent hazards due to dust by such employer organizations and their member employers. In addition, the Ministry shall request that study groups, specialty committees, etc., be established among industrial accident prevention organizations, organizations involved in similar dust-related work such as related employer organizations in major production locales, etc., to promote activities such as studying specific measures to prevent hazards due to dust and to introduce improvement case examples concerning dusty work.

(2) Guidance for manufacturers of equipment, etc., related to dusty work

The Ordinance on the Prevention of Hazards Due to Dust shall be publicized among organizations such as major manufacturers of equipment related to dusty work, importers, etc., of arc welding machines and grinders, etc., and guidance shall be provided to incorporate appropriate measures based on the Ordinance on the Prevention of Hazards Due to Dust in equipment manuals, catalogs, etc.

2 Requests to those placing tunnel construction orders

In order to ensure the effectiveness of the measures to prevent hazards due to dust in tunnel construction, the Ministry shall request the order-placer to prepare order-placing conditions that include the implementation of such measures through order-placing organization liaison committees, etc., between the prefectural labor standard bureau and local self-governing bodies such as the government branch offices, prefectures and municipalities.

3 Promoting measures to prevent hazards due to dust for small and medium-sized workplaces

(1) Publicizing and disseminating the usage of the loan system

As work environment measurements and pneumoconiosis medical examinations are not thoroughly implemented in small and medium-sized workplaces, guidance shall be provided concerning the utilization of the small and medium-sized company safety and health activity promotion business loan system as necessary.

(2) Developing workplaces that serve as models for measures to prevent hazards due to dust and disseminating the results

In order to promote measures to prevent hazards due to dust in small and medium-sized workplaces, a dust hazard prevention model project (hereinafter called the "model project") shall be implemented in order to promote the publicizing and dissemination of improvement results at model workplaces among similar and adjacent workplaces through developing model workplaces for measures to prevent hazards due to dust.

(3) Promoting measures to prevent hazards due to dust by utilizing the Occupational Health Promotion Centers and Regional Industrial Health Centers

A. Utilizing the Occupational Health Promotion Centers

Efforts shall be made to encourage workplaces where measures to prevent hazards due to dust are not effectively implemented to utilize the services of experts at the Occupational Health Promotion Center concerning health consultations, work environment improvements, etc.

B. Utilizing Regional Industrial Health Centers


Efforts shall be made to publicize the fact that consultation by physicians, etc., is available at Regional Industrial Health Centers in order to promote the implementation of appropriate health preservation measures, etc., based on the pneumoconiosis medical examination results.

In cases where it is difficult to go to the consultation counters at Regional Industrial Health Centers, steps shall be taken to promote the implementation of appropriate health preservation measures, etc., by utilizing the system for individual workplace visits by personnel from Regional Industrial Health Centers to provide guidance and advice from physicians, etc., concerning health preservation, patrols and improvement advice on the workplace, and to consult with such personnel concerning worker health issues.

4 Implementing awareness and educational activities

(1) Dust hazard prevention comprehensive measures reinforcement month

Following the completion of the Fourth Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Hazards Due to Dust, the preparation month for the National Occupational Health Week shall be designated by the Ministry as the reinforcement month for promoting the comprehensive measures to prevent hazards due to dust. During this month, the Ministry shall request that related organizations, etc., hold various events such as meetings to announce improvement case examples and otherwise carry out positive public relations activities.

(2) Dust measures day

In order to promote the periodic inspections of local exhaust ventilation system, the cleaning and removing of accumulated dust, inspections of respiratory protective equipment, etc., those concerned shall be requested to determine and post a specific day of every month as dust measures day.

(3) Public relations, etc.

The awareness of employers and workers concerning the prevention of hazards due to dust shall be deepened by utilizing brochures, etc., concerning dust hazard prevention.

In addition, related organizations, etc., shall be requested to publish information on the prevention of hazards due to dust in their public relations magazines, etc.

5 Promoting the appropriate implementation of pneumoconiosis medical examinations

In order to promote the appropriate implementation of pneumoconiosis medical examinations, training on pneumoconiosis examination techniques, etc. shall be implemented for industrial physicians, physicians involved in pneumoconiosis medical examinations, medical radiation technicians, clinical examination technicians, etc.

In addition, guidance shall be provided to medical examination organizations to encourage positive participation in the comprehensive accuracy management project in order to promote appropriate pneumoconiosis medical examinations.

6 Promoting research and studies on measures to prevent hazards due to dust

Efforts shall be made to implement research and studies that reflect the changes in the techniques and working methods concerning dusty work and to conduct research and development on pneumoconiosis medical examination techniques, etc., in accordance with the progress of medicine, etc., in order to contribute to the progress of measures to prevent hazards due to dust.
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