Safety Initiatives

Since becoming a member of the NEXCO Central Group, we have been conducting our daily operations, aiming to provide road spaces and services that our customers can use safely, securely and comfortably.
However, on December 2, 2012, the ceiling panel collapsed in the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway, resulting in the loss of 9 precious lives and injury to many others.
As a company in charge of maintenance inspections, we will never forget this accident and clearly state in our corporate philosophy that “Safety Comes First” and are working to improve safety.

Regarding the inspection implementation system, in addition to the previous training and OJT related to inspections so far, we have newly created a unique qualification system that indicates the level of proficiency of each individual and assigned qualified personnel to inspection work. In the future, we will actively acquire the “Expressway Inspection and Diagnostics Qualification” newly established by the Express Highway Research Foundation of Japan and assign more qualified people to inspection work.

To handle the inspection of invisible and difficult to see areas, we have prepared various non-destructive inspection equipment and developed new technologies such as a system for determining fatigue cracks in steel bridges using infrared rays.
In addition, for places that are difficult to approach for inspection, we have developed a structure inspection helicopter system (SCIMUS) and are working to further enhance access methods.

With regard to data management of inspection and repair results, we are storing records on the system with reliability and have adopted data management that includes location information, and implemented system improvements together with NEXCO Central Nippon to make it easier to use the information for subsequent maintenance and management operations.

Regarding the system for checking items related to safety, we have newly established a department (Safety and Quality Control Department) that is in charge of company-wide safety management and occupational health and safety, and have decided to collect and disseminate safety information, conduct safety patrols, analyze accidents, and examine measures.

To make the training more practical oriented, we decided to develop and operate a new training facility where training of inspection and work can be conducted in the same facility as the actual expressway. (Opened in October 2016)

Click here for details of the technical training center