Workers in Hải Dương Province join an exercise on giving first aid to workers suffering from occupational accidents. — VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Tú

HÀ NỘI —The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) has proposed that agencies and local authorities strengthen work safety inspections to better protect workers' health and safety.

Statistics from the Department of Labour Safety under the MoLISA show that last year, the number of labour accidents, people with occupational diseases and serious incidents was still high and worrying.

Specifically, last year the country had nearly 7,400 occupational accidents injuring nearly 7,600 people.

Among the occupations with many fatal accidents, the construction sector accounts for 18.27 per cent of the total cases and 20.03 per cent of deaths.

The mining and mineral exploitation sector accounts for 16.14 per cent of the total accidents and 17.8 per cent of the deaths.

Damage due to occupational accidents was estimated at more than VNĐ16.3 trillion (US$652 million).

It was an increase by about VNĐ2.2 trillion ($88 million) compared to 2022.

Deputy Director of the Department of Labour Safety, Chu Thị Hạnh, said that management agencies and local authorities had made many efforts recently to ensure workplace safety and workers’ health.

The attempt also aimed at reducing the number of occupational accidents and consequences.

Although some results have been achieved, said Hạnh, occupational safety and hygiene still had some shortcomings.

The main reason is that many employers do not pay enough care or strictly implement legal regulations on labour risk management and control.

In addition, many workers have not been trained in occupational safety and hygiene and lack the necessary knowledge and skills on accident prevention.

Inspection

To ensure occupational safety and hygiene and well conduct the May action month for occupational safety and hygiene this year, Director of the Department of Labour Safety Hà Tất Thắng said the MoLISA, as the steering committee for the action month, proposed that ministries direct enterprises to proactively inspect labour safety and hygiene.

They should carry out examinations on businesses in fields with high risks of occupational accidents and serious incidents.

Along with that, the MoLISA requested provincial and municipal people's committees pay more attention to checking enterprises’ compliance with safety regulations and occupational hygiene.

From February to May this year, inspectors from the Department of Labour Safety have been coordinating with local departments of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to examine 16 businesses in Hà Nội and HCM City.

According to the plan, in March and April, inspectors have been checking Việt Nam National Chemical Group and its 11 members, the Việt Nam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company and its nine members.

From April to the end of June this year, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade will also organise inspections of occupational safety and hygiene at several departments.

In Hà Nội, the Director of the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Bạch Liên Hương, said the action month launching ceremony was scheduled for April 19 at the Việt Nam Soviet Friendship Palace of Culture and Labour.

On this occasion, Hà Nội will not only enhance inspections on this matter but also facilitate support for businesses in enhancing working conditions.

The capital city would give education and training to workers to raise awareness about labour accident prevention, and the education would be held as a regular work, she said. — VNS