A Survey on Existing Tools for Supporting Preventive Activities for Health Problems Caused by Long Working Hours

Purpose: This study examined the effective methods or tools that support the voluntary and systematic implementation of measures in the workplace against "Karoshi (death from overwork)." A literature and document survey for existing tools was conducted. Method: Tools (e.g., checklist, guidelines) to prevent physical and mental health problems caused by long working hours were collected using academic literature databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, JMEDPlus). The search formula was composed of the logical product of terms indicating tools (checklists, guidelines, management systems, etc.) and working hours. We researched academic papers published from 2000 to 2019 and conducted an exploratory internet search on existing tools provided by public or nonprofit organizations. Results: In the literary database, the search formula led to 72 English and 67 Japanese hits. Documents that developed, proposed, or mentioned tools to support preventive activities were selected based on their title and the abstract content. We selected one study on development of an action checklist to improve the systematic response to Japanese regulations that stipulate the implementation of interviews and guidance for long overtime workers, two studies on a practical toolkit to support the interviews and guidance, one on development of a checklist for shiftwork, and two on aviation safety (FRMS; Fatigue risk management system). An exploratory search on the internet resulted in ministries and public organizations releasing tools that target several specific industries and occupations, including compliance support tools for medical labor, guidelines for shift work, an action checklist to support voluntary improvement of the work environment, guidelines for improving work content in the transportation industry, and guidelines for the improvement of business practices in the construction. Collections of good practice cases were also provided to the medical and transportation industry. Since the guidelines for shift work include tips for preventive and comprehensive measures, the contents of the four identified guidelines were summarized in a table and discussed. All collected tools were categorized and discussed based on comprehensiveness, assumed direct users, main targets for improvement, and methods of intervention. Discussion: Currently, few tools have been developed to support voluntary and preventive efforts related to long working hours. Some cases exist of support tools for improving organ