May 15, 2026 : Clinic, Committee, And Cafe Break
© 安岡喜晴 (JoyShine)
Today, morning outpatient clinic, then I saw patients until three in the afternoon, and then I went on to my occupational physician duties to attend the health and safety committee meeting.
At the health and safety committee, I talked about heatstroke prevention and customer harassment countermeasures.
Kyoto's already seeing days around 30°C, and the forecast for the start of next week is up to 36°C, so I said we need to check the flow for who to report to when they feel sick and how to step away from work, including for the backyard, receiving area, kitchens, and event work.
I also said kitchens are an especially high-risk spot for heatstroke because humidity and radiant heat come on top of the air temperature, and WBGT meters should be installed there.
Also, I shared the standards. Even under WBGT 21 drinking water is necessary, 28 or above is severe warning level, and 31 or above is the danger zone, where you should think about changing the work content, adding breaks, rotating staff, or even stopping work depending on the situation.
On customer harassment, I explained that since service work is emotional labor, behaviors like verbal abuse, intimidating language, long forced interactions, excessive demands, and hinting at social media posts are health and safety issues that can drive employees into mental health problems or out of the job.
I also told them that since customer harassment countermeasures will become a mandatory obligation for employers under the revised Labor Policy Comprehensive Promotion Act starting October 1, 2026, the company needs to do more than just lay out a policy.
The company needs to set up early on who staff can turn to on the floor, at what point to escalate to the store manager or head office, how to keep records, and a system that doesn't leave employees handling things by themselves.
On top of that, I brought up the measles outbreak as another agenda item.
Routine measles vaccination in Japan started in October 1978, and depending on the system before that and the number of doses, immunity levels vary widely by generation.
I pointed out that those born between October 1, 1972 and April 1, 1990 in particular are the single-dose generation, so their antibody levels have likely declined, and I asked them to check their maternal and child health handbook, get an antibody test, and consider getting a booster MR vaccine if needed.
After the health and safety committee, I conducted a return-to-work interview with an employee on leave over the web.
There were no particular issues, and I concluded that he could return to work.
Interview wrapped, and the weekend mood finally kicked in!
I took a break at a cafe on Gokomachi Street and then headed home.