In an active response to the Action Month on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), many Da Nang-based businesses have carried out many specific activities to reduce risks towards a safe and quality working environment.

Workers at the Ha Giang Phuoc Tuong Mechanical JSC are fully provided with protective equipment when working. Photo: H.T

Risk reduction efforts

The Da Nang Urban Environment JSC has provided various types of public services related to the environment such as environmental sanitation, collection, transportation and treatment of waste.
With a human resource of more than 1,200 officers, employees and workers, in the past time, the company has made great efforts to avoid labour accidents and minimise risks of fire and explosion at its factories and the landfill, thus striving to bring a safe, productive and quality working environment for employees.

Mr. Vo Minh Duc, General Director cum Chairman of the Labor Protection Council of Da Nang Urban Environment JSC, said: “To get the above-mentioned targets, the company has released specific guidance policies and strictly adhered to regulations on the management of occupational safety and health according to Plan No. 66/KH-UBND of the municipal People's Committee”.

He added that, every year, the company coordinates with the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police Team of Hai Chau District Police to promote fire prevention and fighting skills of employees, offer training on occupational safety and health, and provide protective equipment for workers so as to protect them from the impacts of dangerous and toxic factors arising in the working process”.

Meanwhile, the Ha Giang Phuoc Tuong Mechanical JSC, located on Road No. 8, the Hoa Cam Industrial Park, launched the programme ‘Safety at work’ from May 15 to June 15 in order to raise the awareness of safety for employees, thereby increasing production efficiency at the enterprise.

Many activities such as offering training on OSH for new employees and improve the skills of first aid teams under the motto “Safety first”.

Strengthening directions and supervisions

The Da Nang Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has issued instructions on OSH at relevant units and agencies, especially enterprises with hazardous working environment, workers using hazardous materials, and complex machinery and equipment requiring strict safety requirements during use.

At the same time, heed has been paid to strengthening publicity to raise awareness of employers, minimise risks in the process of labour and production.

This year's OSH Action Month was held from May 1 to 31 at all businesses across the country with a focus on strengthening measures to enhance occupational safety and health, improve working conditions at the workplace, ensure safe and flexible adaptation and effectively control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Director of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Nam said that, once an occupational accident occurs, it will greatly affect the life and spirit of employees as well as businesses that employ such workers. Therefore, OSH is a regular and continuous task, requiring the participation of the whole political system, but most importantly, full awareness of OSH significance among workers and employers.

In the time to come, functional local agencies will focus on promoting dissemination of occupational safety and health amongst employers and employees. I

In particular, a close watch should be kept on high risks of occupational accidents such as at construction works, quarries, metallurgical production facilities, mechanics, machine manufacturing, electricity consumption and transmission.

According to the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in 2021, the occupational accident situation tends to decrease, especially the number of fatal events. However, it still focuses mainly on occupations and fields of labour in construction, machine operation and production equipment.

There are still unexpected incidents leading to occupational accidents, mainly due to electric shock, falls from height, crashes and scaffolding collapse.

Any loss or damage caused by an occupational accident will result in physical, mental and material pain for the family’s victim. The creation of a hygienic and safe working environment, therefore, can bring into full play the motivation and ability of employees.

Reporting by HUYNH TRANG - Translating by A.THU