{"title":"[Promotion of help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job content among employees of small companies: Focusing on cooperative work climate].","authors":"Takashi Yamauchi, Takashi Shimazaki, Machi Suka","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-012-B","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-012-B","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examined the association between cooperative work climate and business owners' attitudes toward work climate and help-seeking intentions for balancing medical treatment and job (BTJ) by occupation among employees of small companies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In January 2024, we conducted an online survey of 1,800 full-time employees aged 20-64 years with no work restrictions due to illness working in small companies. After participants were provided a leaflet regarding BTJ, they were asked to indicate their intention to seek help in an imaginary situation where they had been diagnosed with cancer. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis using a combination of cooperative work climate (low or high) and business owners' attitudes toward work climate (low or high) as the primary explanatory variable and help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ as the dependent variable, adjusted for relevant job-related variables. As a subgroup analysis, logistic regression analyses by occupation (i.e., white- or blue-collar workers) were also conducted.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 1,800 participants (602 females and 1,198 males), 1,350 (75.0%) reported an active intention to seek help regarding BTJ. Those who reported higher levels of cooperative work climate and lower levels of business owners' positive attitudes toward work climate (odds ratio (OR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-2.1), as well as those who reported higher levels of work climate and business owners' attitudes (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.9), were significantly more likely to reveal help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ than those who reported lower levels of work climate and business owner attitudes. Analyses by occupation also showed that for both occupation categories, those who reported higher levels of cooperative work climate and business owner attitudes toward work climate more frequently revealed help-seeking intentions than those who reported lower levels of work climate and business owner attitudes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Among participants working for small companies, regardless of occupation, those who reported higher levels of cooperative work climate and business owners' attitudes toward work climate were significantly more likely to reveal help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ. Our findings imply that (1) cooperative work climate has a stronger effect on help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ than business owners' attitudes toward work climate, and (2) both work climate and business owners' attitudes have a synergistic impact on help-seeking intentions regarding BTJ. Enhancing a cooperative work climate may promote help-seeking intentions among employees working for small companies, regardless of occupation.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"281-291"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141201347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Performance of generative pre-trained transformer-4 on the certification test for mental health management: A factorial design].","authors":"Kazuhiro Watanabe, Yasuhiro Tsutsui, Takao Tsutsui, Takenori Yamauchi, Mitsuo Uchida, Yuriko Hachiya, Ilsung Kim, Mako Iida, Kotaro Imamura, Asuka Sakuraya, Norito Kawakami","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-017-B","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-017-B","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the performance of generative pre-trained transformer-4 (GPT-4) on the Certification Test for Mental Health Management and whether tuned prompts could improve its performance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used a 3 × 2 factorial design to examine the performance according to test difficulty (courses) and prompt conditions. We prepared 200 multiple-choice questions (600 questions overall) for each course using the Certification Test for Mental Health Management (levels I-III) and essay questions from the level I test for the previous four examinations. Two conditions were used: a simple prompt condition using the questions as prompts and tuned prompt condition using techniques to obtain better answers. GPT-4 (gpt-4-0613) was adopted and implemented using the OpenAI API.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The simple prompt condition scores were 74.5, 71.5, and 64.0 for levels III, II, and I, respectively. The tuned and simple prompt condition scores had no significant differences (Odds ratio = 1.03, 95% Confidence interval; 0.65-1.62, p = 0.908). Incorrect answers were observed in the simple prompt condition because of the inability to make choices, whereas no incorrect answers were observed in the tuned prompt condition. The average score for the essay questions under the simple prompt condition was 22.5 out of 50 points (45.0%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>GPT-4 had a sufficient knowledge network for occupational mental health, surpassing the criteria for levels II and III tests. For the level I test, which required the ability to describe more advanced knowledge accurately, GPT-4 did not meet the criteria. External information may be needed when using GPT-4 at this level. Although the tuned prompts did not significantly improve the performance, they were promising in avoiding unintended outputs and organizing output formats. UMIN trial registration: UMIN-CTR ID = UMIN000053582.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"303-313"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142305231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Exploring the reality of seafarers' deaths and injuries and preventive measures from the cases of overwork-related disorders].","authors":"Takumi Iwaasa, Toru Yoshikawa, Masaya Takahashi","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-018-E","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-018-E","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Till date, only few studies have detailed the reality of overwork-related disorders among seafarers. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of overwork-related disorders among seafarers and assess factors such as patient attributes, diseases diagnosed at the time of determination, workload factors, and other aspects, thereby suggesting relevant preventative measures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Among all the patients identified with overwork-related disorders from April 2010 to March 2017, 2,280 cases of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and 3,517 cases of mental disorders were selected. To identify seafarer-related cases, keywords related to seafarers were extracted. Subsequently, 33 cases of cardiovascular disease and 19 cases of mental disorders were obtained.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average age of the patients with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases was 56.7 years; for those with mental disorders, it was 45.2 years. The patients were most commonly engaged in fishing, transportation, and postal services. Most patients were employed in the deck department or were captains. The most common types of vessels were fishing and cargo ships. Among the diseases diagnosed at the time of determination, cerebrovascular diseases accounted for 20 cases (60.6%) and cardiovascular diseases accounted for 13 cases (39.4%), with cerebral and myocardial infarctions being the most frequent conditions. Among mental disorders, \"mood disorders\" accounted for 7 cases (36.8%), and \"neurotic disorders, stress-related disorders, and somatoform disorders\" accounted for 12 cases (63.2%), with major depressive episodes, post-traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorders being the most common. The most common workload factor for patients with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases was \"long-term excessive work\", and among non-workload factors, \"long working hours\" and \"irregular working hours\" were prevalent. For mental disorders, 8 cases were attributed to \"extreme psychological stress.\" Specific events leading to these diseases included \"interpersonal relationships\", \"experiencing accidents or disasters\", and \"work quantity and quality\".</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Both cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, as well as mental disorders, showed a notable aging trend among seafarers. Thus, measures that consider the characteristics of elderly workers, such as their physical function, are important. Additionally, as seafarers are distributed across various industries and occupations, measures should be specifically tailored to their industry and job type. Our study confirmed that long working hours and irregular working hours were prevalent in both cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further efforts to prevent and mitigate overwork-related deaths among seafarers, including organizational support from onshore workplaces and enhancement of medical and ope","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"314-328"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142057720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Development of an exercise program for sedentary behavior in desk workers].","authors":"Miyuki Ueno, Tamiko Tanino, Ikuharu Morioka","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-011-B","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-011-B","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The effects of lacking exercise due to increased sedentary behavior on physical and mental health are attracting attention. We developed an exercise program for sedentary behavior in desk workers and verified whether decreased body pain and weakness and improved subjective health are short-term effects.</p><p><strong>Subjects and methods: </strong>We developed a 3-min exercise program comprising three among four types of exercises; standing on one leg (1 min on each side), squats (1 min), stretching (1 min), and deep breathing with eyes closed (1 min). The exercise program was performed in the morning and afternoon for 2 months (41 days) (3 types × twice daily × 41 days = 246 times) by 94 employees of University A. For easier implementation, radio exercises (part 1), widely recognized in Japan, were performed in the morning and afternoon before work. Participants were asked about their attributes, work situation, physical and mental conditions before and after implementation, and evaluation of the exercise program after implementation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Exercise records and questionnaire responses were collected from 87 participants. The median number of exercises was 83 (interquartile range; 16-128). The participants were divided into two groups based on the median values. The level of lower back pain and friendship scores had an interaction and improved in the group that performed the exercise more frequently. A receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn based on the relationship between the group whose level of lower back pain was reduced by at least 2 of 11 points and that who did not, and the number of exercises. The cutoff value was 70 times, suggesting that performing exercise ≥ 70 times for 41 days decreased lower back pain. To continue implementing the exercise program, it was necessary to use free time, maintain motivation, and create a sense of unity in the workplace.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We created an exercise program comprising four types of exercise for sedentary behavior in desk workers, which is performed in the morning and afternoon for 2 months. Improvements were seen in the degree of lower back pain and friendship score.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"292-302"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141332787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Business continuity capabilities for disaster preparedness: A comparative study of different industries in Wakayama Prefecture].","authors":"Ikuharu Morioka, Tatsuya Takeshita, Kazuhisa Miyashita, Akira Fujiyoshi, Tomohiro Tanaka, Zentaro Ikuta, Aiko Hirabayashi","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-002-E","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-002-E","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to elucidate the status of business continuity plan (BCP) formulation in businesses, focusing on different industries. It examined their preparation for natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and crisis events, such as emerging infectious diseases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1,583 businesses in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, were randomly selected from the Wakayama Occupational Health Support Center workplace list. Anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed by mail. The questionnaire comprised questions on the business, awareness and formulation status of BCP, and business continuity capabilities in preparation for natural disasters and crisis events. It also explored difficulties in progress in BCP formulation. Businesses were categorized into three groups based on the type of industry: manufacturing (114 companies), lifeline (66 companies), and others (207 companies).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Questionnaires were collected from 412 businesses, and 387 of those that responded to the type of industry were analyzed (valid response rate: 24.3%). More than 50% of businesses in all industries were aware of BCP. Regarding the status of BCP formulation, 39.5% of the manufacturing, 34.8% of the lifeline, and 41.5% of others had already formulated or were formulating a BCP. Many lifeline businesses had not taken any measures to prepare facilities and allocate funds for emergencies. Additionally, 49% were at high risk of being forced to close down due to disasters. As the difficulties in progress in formulating a BCP, 60.9% of lifeline businesses did not know what to develop or how to consider it. In addition, 44.2% of others had to secure the time and human resources necessary for formulation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although awareness of BCPs is increasing, their formulation has not progressed significantly. In particular, BCP formulation has been delayed in lifeline industries, resulting in low business continuity capabilities. Given that many businesses do not know the contents or methods of formulating BCPs, it is suggested that educating relevant parties about using templates is necessary. This approach can reduce the time required for formulation and enable the creation of a BCP even without detailed human resources.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"192-201"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141263687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Underlying scinece for a guide to maintain physical and mental health of long working physicians].","authors":"Hiroo Wada, Ryutaro Shirahama, Yuito Ueda, Mayuko Hosokawa, Toru Tsuda, Takeshi Tanigawa","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-007-A","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2024-007-A","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"202-206"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141474196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Association of psychological violence, harassment, and cyberbullying with depression and turnover intentions in female nurses].","authors":"Asuka Hori, Tomoko Sankai, Akiko Miki","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2022-037-E","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2022-037-E","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Psychological violence and harassment have been reported to be associated with mental health problems and turnover intention among nurses. Cyberbullying, a hidden form of harassment using information and communication technology, is attracting attention as a factor that threatens the mental health of nurses. This study aimed to add coping characteristics, social support, and workplace social capital to psychological violence, harassment, and cyberbullying in female nurses and determine their association with depression and turnover intention.</p><p><strong>Participants and methods: </strong>An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted, targeting 2,158 female nurses working in four domestic hospitals, excluding those in management positions. The analysis included 1,151 nurses who responded (valid response rate: 53.3%). Multiple regression analysis was performed with depression and turnover intention as dependent variables and psychological violence and harassment, cyberbullying, the brief scales for coping profile (BSCP) and social support scale scores, and social capital (SC) as independent variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Depression was positively correlated with psychological violence and harassment, cyberbullying, and the BSCP subscale \"avoidance and suppression\" and negatively correlated with the BSCP subscale \"changing the point of view\" and social support subscales \"support from supervisors\" and \"support from co-workers.\" Turnover intention was positively correlated with psychological violence and harassment and the BSCP subscale \"avoidance and suppression\" and negatively correlated with the BSCP subscale \"changing the point of view,\" social support subscale \"support from supervisors,\" and vertical SC.</p><p><strong>Discussion and conclusion: </strong>The results suggest that work environments should prevent psychological violence and harassment in nurses to promote a sense of security and eliminate mental health problems. Cyberbullying was inferred as a factor that could lead to mental health problems among nurses. Therefore, each nurse should raise their awareness of information literacy, besides attending more to their words and attitudes.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"181-191"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141581970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Digital devices for smoking cessation among working women: Insights from survey of academic papers].","authors":"Kyoko Kitagawa, Kyoko Nomura, Mayumi Tsuji","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-040-W","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-040-W","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"168-173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141083057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Features and evaluations of organizational support provided by occupational health nurses in private practice for the implementation of sustainable health and productivity management in medium-sized enterprises].","authors":"Noriko Nishikido, Junko Yoshino, Hitomi Abe, Yuko Mitsuhashi, Satoko Shimamoto, Michiyo Ito, Minako Sasaki","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-042-B","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-042-B","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to clarify the features and evaluations of the organizational support provided by occupational health nurses (OHNs) in private practice to promote sustainable health and productivity management (HPM) in medium-sized enterprises.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Corporate managers and employees of four enterprises with fewer than 300 employees received support from an experienced OHN in private practice through five support sessions per company, primarily targeting company managers. The OHNs documented their support steps and evaluations. After completing the support process, we conducted semi-structured interviews with company managers and OHNs to evaluate the support provided by the OHNs. The support processes were organized for each company according to an analytical framework based on the consolidated framework for implementation research; the support features of OHNs were extracted. The evaluations of the support provided by OHNs from the perspective of company personnel were categorized using content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six features of support by OHNs for the promotion of HPM were extracted, including clarifying corporate needs while focusing on relationships of trust with company representatives, providing appropriate health information, and introducing external resources to facilitate independent and continuous efforts in the company to promote sustainable HPM. The managers' evaluations of the support provided by the OHNs included the following six categories: 1) identified and recognized current internal health issues; 2) received specific assistance tailored to the company; 3) gained an opportunity to work on health promotion measures; 4) considered the development and continuation of future health promotion measures; 5) learned about the existence of OHNs as easy to consult with; and 6) identified aspects of support from OHNs that were different from what they expected.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study clarified the features and evaluations of the support provided by OHNs in private practice in medium-sized enterprises for the promotion of HPM. Our findings suggest that the involvement of OHNs in private practice may increase the number of medium-sized enterprises that can autonomously commit themselves to HPM in a sustainable manner.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"156-167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141156030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[The history of compensation system for workers with pneumoconiosis-related lung cancer].","authors":"Yoshimasa Ishii, Yoshiharu Aizawa, Takumi Kishimoto, Seichi Horie, Chikage Nagano, Hidesuke Shimizu","doi":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-025-A","DOIUrl":"10.1539/sangyoeisei.2023-025-A","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To review the historical aspects of compensation system for workers with pneumoconiosis who developed lung cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Materials and papers published on the compensation system as discussed in administrative meetings were utilized.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Legal claims for compensation for lung cancer among individuals with pneumoconiosis increased during the period of rapid economic growth in Japan. A possible causal relationship between pneumoconiosis and lung cancer in workers has been discussed by committees of specialists. The Expert Committee on Pneumoconiosis and Lung Cancer in 1978 did not find a causal relationship between them. However, a survey of physicians specializing in pneumoconiosis revealed medical disadvantages among individuals diagnosed with pneumoconiosis who developed lung cancer. The Ministry of Labour announced the risk of work-related lung cancer in patients with advanced pneumoconiosis (class IV or equivalent severity). Since then, numerous lung cancer patients with pneumoconiosis have been adjudicated. In 1997, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) re-evaluated the carcinogenicity of silica and declared it to be a Group I carcinogen in humans. The Expert Committee on Compensation of Lung Cancer Cases Developing from Pneumoconiosis discussed the IARC evaluation but did not accept this classification. However, the Committee of Occupational Exposure Limits in the Japan Society of Occupational Health upheld the IARC evaluation of silica as a Group I carcinogen. Because the Expert Committee of Medical Disadvantage of Lung Cancer Patients with Pneumoconiosis accepted the increased risk of lung cancer in patients with class III or equivalent severity pneumoconiosis, the Ministry of Labour announced worker compensation for such patients. The Expert Committee of Health Control of Pneumoconiosis Complicated with Lung Cancer reported in 2002 that a meta-analysis revealed no increased risk of lung cancer among workers exposed to crystalline silica; however, there was an increased risk of lung cancer in patients with pneumoconiosis. The Ministry of Labour has added lung cancer to the list of complications from pneumoconiosis and, if necessary, regular medical checkups for lung cancer. After Leaving dust work, the Health Care System provides for workers who are diagnosed With class II or higher pneumoconiosis. Therefore, if an individual with pneumoconiosis develops class II or higher lung cancer, that individual becomes eligible for workers' compensation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The conclusion of the Expert Committee in 2002 and the decision of the Ministry of Labour to add lung cancer to its list of complications of pneumoconiosis are evaluated to be appropriate.</p>","PeriodicalId":94204,"journal":{"name":"Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health","volume":" ","pages":"143-154"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140308435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}