How Occupational Health can Contribute in a Disaster and What We should Prepare for the Future—Lessons Learned through Support Activities of a Medical School at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Summer 2011

Abstract

How Occupational Health can Contribute in a Disaster and What We should Prepare for the Future—Lessons Learned through Support Activities of a Medical School at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Summer 2011: Koji MORI, et al. Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan— Background A nuclear accident occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) as a result of a mega‐earthquake and tsunami in March, 2011. A large number of workers were engaged in response and recovery operations under a complex structure of involved companies. They were exposed not only to radiation but also to other health hazards. TEPCO implemented programs to prevent radiation exposure, but had no effective systems for managing the other health risks and few occupational health (OH) professionals contributed to the health risk management. Activities: The University of Occupational and Environmental Health (UOEH), Japan, dispatched physicians to a quake‐proof building at the plant to provide first‐aid services from mid‐May, 2011, and took a strategic approach to protecting workers from existing health risks. UOEH presented recommendations on OH systems and preventive measures against heat stress to the Government and TEPCO. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare issued guidelines to TEPCO and contractors. TEPCO implemented a comprehensive program against heat stress according to the guidelines and in cooperation with UOEH. As a result, we successfully prevented severe heat illness during summer 2011. Discussion From our experiences, we believe that the following recommendations should be considered: 1) the role of OH and the participation of experts should be defined in emergency response plans; 2) regulations should allow the national government and main companies involved to lead safety and health initiatives for all workers at disaster sites; and 3) OH professionals, response manuals and drills should be organized at a national level.

What Occupational Health Needs Arise in Workplaces Following Disasters? A Joint Analysis of Eight Cases of Disaster in Japan

“…[25][26][27] This may be because companies are reluctant to disclose data even when various occupational health needs have arisen. Indeed, in some cases in this study, the cause of the disaster was attributable to errors on the part of the company, and it is highly likely that the company would not have agreed to publish a case report about the matter if we had requested that.…”

“…[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Except for studies by external occupational health experts examining the occupational health needs arising at workplaces during large-scale disasters, 25,26 few case reports on this matter have been published. 27,28 When the cause of the disaster is attributable to errors on the part of the company, they may be reluctant to disclose information on health issues during disasters.…”

“…26 The latter members were occupational health residents engaged in postgraduate programs in the UOEH. This group had no experience with disaster activities.…”

Collective strategy for facing occupational risks of a nursing team

“…Recognizing and controlling them is a necessity (6) , and the professionals who work there must acquire a safe attitude towards such risks, including the development of a preventive culture.…”

Assistance Convergent Research: Nursing Team Sharing Occupational Risk Knowledge and Proposing Interventions

“…2 Cabe aos profissionais desenvolver postura segura no tocante à execução de procedimentos, com vistas a garantir sua proteção bem como da equipe e do paciente. Além disso, é necessário entender, conhecer e ampliar a compreensão das transformações sociais para ressignificar a realidade dos profissionais de saúde.…”