Nippon Steel Trading System Construction Strengthens Heatstroke Countermeasures for Scorching Heat, Continues Young Employee-Initiated 'Chill Chill Happy Time'

Nippon Steel Trading System Construction Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Satoshi Uno), a specialized manufacturer of system construction, has formulated its 2026 fiscal year heatstroke countermeasure guidelines in response to rising heatstroke risks from recent heatwaves and legal changes requiring stronger workplace countermeasures. The company is enhancing its safety management system at construction sites nationwide.

In June 2025, the revised Occupational Health and Safety Regulations were enforced, mandating that businesses establish organizational frameworks, create procedures, and inform stakeholders to prevent severe heatstroke cases during work under certain conditions.

In the construction industry, outdoor work in high-temperature environments is common, making response to occupational accident risks from heatstroke a critical issue. The company is implementing thorough heatstroke countermeasures across all sites, including those involving subcontractors, and is committed to preventing heatstroke and its severity through active communication and regular health monitoring of workers.

■ Continuing 'Chill Chill Happy Time' in Fiscal 2026
Since the summer of 2025, the company has designated regular site breaks as 'Chill Chill Happy Time' to protect the health and safety of site workers. It has decided to continue this initiative into fiscal 2026.

'Chill Chill Happy Time' consists of 10-15 minute breaks taken between tasks to replenish moisture and salt and to cool down the body. Rather than mere rest, these are positioned as intentional periods for checking physical condition while encouraging each other across the site.

In construction sites, where workers may overexert themselves due to busyness or sense of responsibility, using a friendly name helps create an atmosphere where it is easier for people to reach out to one another. Introduced following a proposal from young employees, the initiative also fosters communication across generations.

■ Nationwide 'Heatstroke Countermeasure Training' Based on Actual Cases
Based on the 2025 revision of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, the company has revamped its heatstroke training curriculum. With instructors from Sangyoi Co., Ltd., the company is conducting training across regions in fiscal 2026. This year, the content has been updated to teach critical points and response methods based on actual heatstroke cases.

Training covers reporting structures and response procedures during heatstroke occurrences, while also reflecting on cases from perspectives like "what symptoms appeared," "why did it happen," and "what could have been done to prevent it." Q&A sessions are also held to discuss cases expected at different sites and daily questions, deepening practical understanding.

Comment from Kazuo Kashu, Senior Leader, Safety and Quality Management Center, Nippon Steel Trading System Construction
"For us, protecting the health and safety of our employees and the personnel from our subcontractors—who work in harsh environments every day—is one of our most critical summer safety measures. That's why we reviewed and updated our training to be more practical. In addition to expert lectures, we now conduct simulation training where participants physically practice response procedures, focusing on the principle that 'swift action prevents severe cases.' We have received many questions from participating employees, which reflects their high safety awareness. We will continue to improve our safety management activities so that everyone working on our sites can return home to their families healthy and saying, 'I'm home.'"

■ WBGT-Based Work Management
The company manages sites based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). When WBGT is 30 degrees or higher (Strict Alert), the guideline is to operate with "45 minutes work, 15 minutes rest." If WBGT is expected to reach 33 degrees, the company considers reviewing work content or suspending work. Even where site heatstroke indicators are absent, the company maintains a system to monitor WBGT in real-time using the Ministry of the Environment's Heatstroke Prevention Information Site or heatstroke prevention apps.

■ Twice-Daily Physical Condition Checks and Reporting Framework
Using heatstroke prevention check sheets, the company confirms the condition of all workers twice a day, morning and afternoon. If workers feel unwell, they are instructed to report immediately to the person in charge or the foreman and take an early rest, thereby preventing heatstroke development and severity. Furthermore, upon discovering a worker feeling unwell on-site, the company strictly ensures immediate first aid and coordination with medical institutions as the prime contractor.