One Year Since Workplace Heatstroke Prevention Mandates: A Survey on Current Practices
Kracie Pharmaceuticals surveyed 400 workers regarding heatstroke prevention. While awareness of legal mandates is high, limits in current practices and workplace constraints under extreme heat remain significant challenges.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 25, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 25, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 27, 2026 at 14:40 (49h 8m after Collected)
Kracie Pharmaceuticals conducted a survey on heatstroke prevention involving 400 working men and women aged 30-60 across Japan.
## Background
On April 17, 2026, the Japan Meteorological Agency defined days with temperatures reaching 40°C or higher as "Extreme Heat Days." It has been one year since the implementation of mandatory heatstroke prevention measures under the Industrial Safety and Health Act in June 2025, and the importance of these measures is growing. Casualties from workplace heatstroke in 2025 increased by approximately 40% compared to the previous year.
## Key Findings
1. **Awareness**: 62.8% of respondents were aware of the mandatory heatstroke prevention regulations. Among them, nearly half (49.8%) reported a change in their awareness.
2. **Current Practices**: 85.2% of workers implement some form of prevention, with "frequent hydration" (71.0%) and "salt/mineral intake" (43.5%) being the most common.
3. **Challenges**: Workers pointed out the limitations of these measures amidst extreme heat, environmental constraints such as the inability to hydrate during work, and physical challenges including sleep deprivation and appetite loss caused by the summer heat.
## Recommendation
In addition to basic measures, integrated health management from a Kampo (herbal medicine) perspective is suggested to help workers survive the extreme heat.
FAQ
What is the awareness level of the obligation to implement heatstroke prevention measures in the workplace?
62.8% of respondents answered 'I understand' or 'I have heard of it'.
What are the main heatstroke prevention measures implemented in the workplace?
The most common is 'frequent hydration' (71.0%), followed by 'salt and mineral supplementation' (43.5%).
What challenges are pointed out regarding heatstroke prevention measures in the workplace?
The challenges include the limits of measures (severe heat), constraints due to the work environment (limitations on hydration timing), and health issues caused by extreme summer heat (insomnia, reduced appetite).
What types of jobs do the survey respondents have?
The survey includes 400 men and women aged 30 to 60 who work in manufacturing, production sites, delivery and driving, warehouses and logistics, construction and civil engineering, agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
What is the impact of climate change that underlies this survey?
The Meteorological Agency has defined 'extremely hot days' (maximum temperature 40°C or higher) starting in April 2026, indicating that extreme heat is becoming the norm, and the importance of heatstroke prevention measures in the workplace is increasing.