産業医とは｜企業の健康を支える専門医
産業医とは、企業における労働者の健康を守るために、医学的知見を活かして職場環境の改善や健康管理に関わる専門医です。一般的な病院や診療所の「病気の治療を行う医師」とは少し役割が異なり、「病気を未然に防ぐ」「働く人が安心して働ける環境づくりを支援する」ことを主な目的としています。
労働安全衛生法という法律によって、一定規模以上の事業場では産業医の選任が義務付けられています。近年では、働く人々の多様化、メンタルヘルスの重要性の高まり、長時間労働の是正、職場のハラスメント防止など、産業医が担う役割はますます広がっています。
産業医の選任義務
労働安全衛生法では、以下のように産業医の選任が義務付けられています。
| 事業場の規模 | 産業医の選任義務 |
|---|---|
| 常時50人以上 | 産業医の選任が必要 |
| 常時1000人以上、または有害業務あり | 専属産業医の選任が必要 |
中小企業では非常勤の嘱託産業医が選任されるケースが一般的です。
産業医の主な業務内容
① 定期的な職場巡視
毎月1回、職場環境を巡視し、作業環境・安全管理を確認します。空調・照明・騒音・有害物質・作業姿勢などのリスクを把握し、改善提案を行います。
② 健康診断の結果管理
定期健康診断・雇入時健診・特殊健康診断の結果を確認し、就業上の措置や医療機関受診を勧めます。
③ 長時間労働者の面談指導
長時間残業者への面談（過労死防止法による義務）を実施し、健康状態を確認します。
④ メンタルヘルス対応
うつ病・不安障害などメンタル不調者への支援や、休職・復職支援、ストレスチェック後の面談を行います。
⑤ 衛生委員会への出席
衛生委員会で労働安全衛生の課題を共有し、改善に向けた助言を行います。
⑥ 休職・復職判定
病気療養後の復職判定を医学的見地から行い、復職支援プラン作成にも関与します。
⑦ 法令遵守の助言
労働安全衛生法・労働基準法などに沿った社内制度整備を支援します。
産業医が果たす3つの役割
- 予防医学の専門家： 病気を未然に防ぐ職場環境整備
- 法令遵守のアドバイザー： 安全衛生法に基づく制度設計
- 企業と従業員の中立支援者： 双方にとって良好な職場作り
産業医の資格
- 日本医師会認定産業医研修修了
- 労働衛生コンサルタント（国家資格）
- 日本産業衛生学会認定専門医
様々な診療科出身の医師が産業医として活躍しています。
近年ますます重要性が高まる理由
- メンタルヘルス不調者の増加
- 長時間労働・過重労働の是正
- 職場ハラスメント対応
- 高齢社員の健康管理
- テレワークによる新たな健康課題
企業が単独で全てを判断するのが難しい領域を産業医が医学的にサポートします。
まとめ
産業医は「働く人の健康を守る医師」として、企業の重要なパートナーです。社員が安心して働ける職場づくりは、生産性の向上や離職防止、企業イメージの向上にもつながります。
当事務所では、経験豊富な産業医が企業の実情に合わせたきめ細やかな支援を行っています。オンライン面談や全国対応も可能ですので、お気軽にご相談ください。
What is an Occupational Physician?
An occupational physician is a medical professional who supports the health of workers in a company by applying medical knowledge to workplace improvement and health management. Unlike physicians who focus on treating illness, their main goals are to prevent health problems and support safe working environments.
Under Japan’s Industrial Safety and Health Act, companies above a certain size are required to appoint occupational physicians. Their roles are expanding in response to workforce diversity, increasing attention to mental health, overwork prevention, and workplace harassment.
Appointment Requirements
The following requirements are defined by law for appointing occupational physicians:
| Workplace Size | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 50 or more employees | Occupational physician must be appointed |
| 1,000 or more employees or hazardous work | Full-time occupational physician required |
In small and medium enterprises, part-time occupational physicians are commonly appointed under contract.
Main Duties of Occupational Physicians
1. Regular Workplace Rounds
Monthly inspections are conducted to assess work environments, including lighting, ventilation, noise, and ergonomics. Recommendations are made based on risk assessment.
2. Health Checkup Management
Results from periodic, pre-employment, and special medical checkups are reviewed. Necessary follow-up measures or referrals to medical institutions are advised.
3. Interviews for Long Working Hours
Interviews are conducted with employees working long hours to monitor their health, as required by the Act on Overwork Prevention.
4. Mental Health Support
Support is provided to employees with depression or anxiety disorders. Interviews following stress checks and return-to-work assistance are included.
5. Attendance at Health and Safety Committees
Occupational physicians attend these committees to address workplace health and safety issues and provide advice for improvement.
6. Judging Fitness for Return to Work
Medical judgment is made regarding return to work after illness, along with planning and support for reintegration.
7. Legal Compliance Advising
Support is provided to help companies develop systems compliant with the Industrial Safety and Health Act and Labor Standards Act.
Three Key Roles of Occupational Physicians
- Preventive Medicine Specialist: Helps build environments that prevent illness.
- Legal Compliance Advisor: Designs systems in line with safety and health laws.
- Neutral Supporter: Assists both employers and employees to improve workplaces.
Occupational Physician Qualifications
- Completion of Japan Medical Association occupational physician training
- Licensed occupational health consultant (national certification)
- Certified occupational medicine specialist (Japan Society for Occupational Health)
Doctors from various medical fields work as occupational physicians.
Why Occupational Physicians Are Increasingly Important
- Growing number of employees with mental health issues
- Need to correct long working hours and overwork
- Workplace harassment measures
- Health management for aging employees
- New health challenges from teleworking
Occupational physicians provide medical support in areas where companies may struggle to make independent decisions.
Summary
Occupational physicians are vital partners for companies to protect worker health. Creating safe and supportive work environments contributes to higher productivity, lower turnover, and improved corporate image.
At our office, experienced occupational physicians offer tailored support for your company. We also offer online consultations and nationwide services. Please feel free to contact us.