JICOSH was closed in 2008. For further information, please contact JISHA.
JICOSH Home > OSH Japan > Outline of Japan's Industrial Safety and Health Law

9. Regulations for Maintaining and Improving Health (2)
3. Medical Examinations

Medical examinations are required on the following occasions as a basic means of maintaining and improving workers health.
(1)Medical examinations at the time of employment

Employers are required to carry out medical examinations for workers at the time of employment with respect to the items covered by periodical medical examinations
(2)Periodical medical examinations
Employers shall have regular workers undergo periodical medical examinations by a physician as to the following items at least once per year.

Medical and work history of each worker; presence or absence of subjective and objective symptoms; height, weight, eyesight and audibility; thoracic X-ray examination and sputum examination; blood pressure; anemia; hepatic function; lipid level in blood; blood sugar examination; urine analysis; and examination by electrocardiogram.

Employers who regularly employ 50 or more workers shall submit a Report of the Results of the Regular Medical Examination to the Chief of the Labour Standards Inspection Office.
(3)Special medical examinations

Workers engaged in hazardous operation must undergo special medical examinations by a physician, and the results of such examinations must be reported to the Chief of the Labour Standards Inspection Office.
(a) Hazardous operation subject to special medical examinations and examination intervals

*Work in high-pressre rooms or diving work: at least once every six months

* Radiation work: at least once every six months

* Work handling specified chemical substances (37 types): at least once every six months

* Work handling lead: at least once every six months

* Work handling tetra-alkyl lead: at least once every three months

* Work handling organic solvents: at least once every six months

* Work at places where gas, vapor or dust generated by hydrochloric acid, nitric acid or sulfic acid are emitted: at least once every six months(medical examinations by dentists)
(b) Examination items

Examination items for special medical examinations are defined in the Ordinance on Prevention of Organic Solvent Poisoning etc..
(4)Other medical examinations
(a) Medical examinations for overseas workers

Employers intending to send wokers abroad for more than six months are required to have those wokers undergo medical examinations by a physician covering items similar to those in the periodical medical examinations.
(b) Tuberculosis examinations

For workers who have been diagnosed as vulnerable to tuberculosis through the medical examinations at the time of employment or periodical examinations, the employer shall require such workers to receive medical examinations by a physician within six months from said diagnosis.
(c) Examination of feces for food supply workers

Employers shall require food supply workers at dining halls attached to workplaces to undergo medical examinations including a fece examination at the time of employment and reassignment
(5)Measures after medical examinations

For workers who are diagnosed with abnormal findings, the employer shall take the necessary measures in accordance with the views of physicians and/or dentists, including a change in workplace, transfer to other jobs, and/or shortened working hours. The employer shall also implement working environment measurement, and install or improve related equipment and facilities.
4. Personal health records

The Director of Prefectural Labour Bureau must provide those who have been engaged in operations that are liable to cause cancer or other serious health impairment with the personal health record at the time of their separation from their service or thereafter, and recommend them to periodically undergo medical examinations.

Work Requirement
Work related to benzidine and its salts Engaged in such work for three months or more
Work related to beta-naphthylamine and its salts Engaged in such work for three months or more
Dusty work Pneumoconiosis control class3 or higher
Work related to chromic acid and its salts Engaged in such work for four years or more
Calcining or refining and related work in arsenic trichloride Engaged in such work for five years or more
Work related to cokes or producer gas in iron manufacturing Engaged in such work for five years or more
Work related to bis (chloromethyl) ether Engaged in such work for three years or more
Work related to beryllium and its compounds To have tubercular shade of pervasive nature on both lungs
Work related to benzotrichloride Engaged in such work for three years or more
Work related to poly-chlorated vinyl Engaged in such work for four years or more
Work related to asbestos To have irregular shade on both lungs
Work related to dianicidine and its salts Engaged in such work for three months or more


(Government Responsibilities will be discussed in the next session. )

toptop