Six core programs
▪Smoking cessation
This program seeks to reduce the smoking rate among employees in Japan in addition to preventing passive smoking. The company aims to lower the smoking rate to 30% by 2022 and 12% by 2025 by encouraging employees to receive medical assistance for smoking cessation (for a one-month period) and participate in a cessation support program (three-month period). In April 2020, the company banned smoking during work hours.
▪Cancer detection and treatment
Bridgestone conducts regular and special health check-ups, as well as health exams for employees working outside Japan as required under the Industrial Safety and Health Law. Industrial physicians and other medical personnel offer healthcare guidance to employees with health issues, usually at the Company’s Health Care Center.
Furthermore, in order to increase screening rates and achieve early detection and treatment, the company provides at-work cancer screening, informs employees of subsidies for screening expenses, and raises awareness through videos and e-learning. In addition to using a bus to provide screening services, the company started to offer screening services through a nationwide network*1 of clinics made available through the Bridgestone Health Insurance Society in July 2021.
As a priority issue for FY2021, the company aimed to provide women's cancer screening at all sites in Japan and achieve a screening rate of at least 50%. This effort was aimed at early detection as well as to help employees receiving cancer treatment to return to the workplace.
*1 Made possible through an agreement between Bridgestone Health Insurance Society and a medical examination enforcement organization.
▪Lifestyle diseases
The company uses information and communication technologies to encourage employees to use a health guidance program*1 designed to improve lifestyle-related health outcomes. It also encourages use of an online health improvement service available by smartphone or computer.
*1 A program for employees deemed high risk for serious lifestyle diseases based on the results of their annual health check-up. Eligible employees receive free guidance and support from a medical expert for improving their lifestyle habits.
▪Mental health care
The company has developed a guideline on mental health and established a mental health plan for each office that complies with Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines on self-care, consultation line care, on-site industrial medical staff care, and off-site care.
Based on a mental health plan, every site in Japan has a health promotion officer of nurse, public health nurse, or other health professional who organizes mental health team. It provides counseling services under the guidance of an industrial physician and is supported by an external Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that also covers employees’ families.
▪Infectious disease
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the company prepared response procedures for suspected cases of infection among employees and sent this document to all sites in Japan. The company has updated its response procedures consulting with industrial physicians whenever necessary to prevent further spread, based on changing conditions and the newest information announced by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
▪Integration of health-related efforts
Bridgestone Corporation's General Affairs and Health Management Promotion Division manages the advancement of the above programs in partnership with the Health Care Center and industrial health staff at each site and with the Bridgestone Health Insurance Society.