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Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health
Ministry of Labour Ordinance No. 32 of September 30, 1972

Latest Amendments:
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance No. 47 of March 30, 2007
In Japanese

Update : 2008.03.28

Part II Safety Standards

Chapter XII Prevention of Dangers Due to Debris Flow

Article 575-9 (Investigation and Record)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the construction work (excluding temporary work, the same shall apply hereinafter) on a river where it is liable to occur debris flow incidental due to rain, melting snow or earthquake (hereinafter referred to as “river with a danger of debris flow”), investigate in advance the condition of upper reaches of the river from the work place and the surrounding area in order to prevent workers from dangers due to debris flow, and record the result of the investigation.
Article 575-10 (Rules Concerning Prevention of Industrial Accidents Due to Debris flows)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out construction work on river with a danger of debris flows, establish in advance rules relating to the prevention of industrial accidents due to debris flows.
  • (2) The provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be the one describing the following matters:
    • (i) The method of ascertaining the amount of rainfall.
    • (ii) Measures to be taken in case of rainfall, melting snow or an earthquake have taken place.
    • (iii) Measures to be taken in case of phenomena that precede a debris flow have been noted.
    • (iv) Alarm and the method of evacuation in the case of a debris flow occurs.
    • (v) Details and times of evacuation drills.
  • (3) The employer shall make the provisions set forth in paragraph (1) suitable to what is known by the investigation pursuant to the provision of the preceding Article.
Article 575-11 (Ascertaining and Recording)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the construction work on river with a danger of debris flows, ascertain the amount of rainfall in the 24 hours before commencing work and the amount of rainfall every hour after having commenced work using a rain gauge or other method and keep a record of them.
Article 575-12 (Measures to be Taken when Rainfall)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the construction work on river with a danger of debris flows and where is liable to cause a debris flow due to rainfall, take measures to quickly know the occurrence of a debris flow such as arranging a watcher. However, this shall not apply when having suspended work promptly and had workers evacuate to a safe place.
Article 575-13 (Evacuation)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the construction work on river with a danger of debris flows and there is an immediate danger of an industrial accident due to a debris flow, immediately suspend the work and have the workers evacuate to a safe place.
Article 575-14 (Alarm Equipment)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the construction work on river with a danger of debris flows, provide alarm equipment of a siren, an emergency bell, etc., to inform the workers concerned at the occurrence of debris flow, and make the place of the equipment known to the workers concerned.
  • (2) The employer shall maintain the alarm equipment set forth in the preceding paragraph in properly functioning at all times.
Article 575-15 (Evacuation Equipment)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the construction work on river with a danger of debris flows, provide equipment for evacuation of ascending piers, ladders, etc., at appropriate places for the safe evacuation of workers at the occurrence of debris flow, and make the location of the equipment and how to use them known to the workers concerned.
  • (2) The employer shall maintain the evacuation equipment set forth in the preceding paragraph properly functioning at all times.
Article 575-16 (Evacuation Drills)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the construction work on river with a danger of debris flows, conduct an evacuation drill for workers concerned after the commencement of the work without delay and once every period within six months thereafter in order to prepare for a debris flow.
  • (2) The employer shall, when having conducted evacuation drill, record the following matters and preserve the records for three years:
    • (i) The date of the training.
    • (ii) The name of the person who has undergone the training.
    • (iii) The details of the training.
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