[Acute illness caused by the handling of chemicals in reports of worker casualties with ≥ 4 days of work absence or death in Japan in 2020].

Abstract

Objectives: There are few reports of chemical-related illnesses in the Reports of Worker Casualties in Japan. Using these reports from 2020, this study analyzed the relationship between illnesses caused by chemical handling stratified by male or female sex, using the Japan Standard Industrial Classification (JSIC).

Methods: Our study included 244 patients from the Reports of Worker Casualties submitted to the Competent Labor Standards Inspection Office in 2020 with chemical-related illnesses resulting in at least 4 days of absence. Patients were classified into major and minor industrial groups using the JSIC. Simple and cross-tabulations were performed to assess characteristics.

Results: Of the 244 included patients, 236 were absent from work, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1. The substances or product names of chemicals handled by the case group included one substance in 216 patients (88.5%) and two or more substances in 28 patients (11.5%). Dangerous and harmful materials other than those specified in special regulations accounted for 52.9% of the total. Of the 244 patients, 100% were reclassified into industrial divisions of the JSIC; 94.7% into major industrial groups and 63.9% into minor industrial groups. By industrial division, most workers were in manufacturing (43.9%), followed by construction (18.0%), services, N.E.C (9.0%), and wholesale and retail trade (7.4%). All workers in construction were males. The experience period was less than 1 year in 30.3% of the cases across a wide range of age groups ≤ 70 years old. The most frequently encountered disease sites (expected closure period of ≥ 1 month) were the lower limbs, followed by the upper limbs and the head. The most common diseases were integumentary diseases (67.2%), followed by poisoning (24.6%) and respiratory diseases (7.8%). The most common categories for health hazard classification (globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals) were specific target organ toxicity (single exposure) (36.5%), specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure) (25.4%), serious eye damage/irritation (25.4%), skin corrosion/irritation (23.0%), and acute toxicity (21.3%). All eight deaths occurred in workplaces with ≤ 49 employees.

Conclusions: To reduce the number of sick people and the expected period of absence from work, it is necessary to regularly check chemical safety after starting work, taking into account employee's years of experience and selecting appropriate protective equipment for the integumentary system (especially the upper limbs, lower limbs, and head [eyes]) based on chemical risk assessment; additionally, support should be provided for chemical management in small businesses.