Perspectives on Preventing Overwork During Disasters: Insights from an Analysis of Workers’ Compensation Cases Involving Cerebrocardiovascular Diseases Related to the Great East Japan Earthquake

Abstract

Through the analysis of 21 cases related to cerebrocardiovascular diseases and death from overwork associated with the Great East Japan Earthquake, this study examines the focus of countermeasures against excessive work during disasters. The findings include: (1) the affected industries and occupations are diverse, and (2) the recognized causes for death from overwork and related conditions were “encounters with unusual events” in six cases, “short-term excessive work” in two cases, and “long-term excessive work” in 15 cases. These findings underscore the importance of anticipating the characteristics of excessive work tasks by industry and occupation during disasters, proactively examining strategies for reducing excessive/overload work, responding to changes in workload over different time frames after a disaster, and formulating business continuity plans (BCP) based on these perspectives.