Occupational Safety: The Foundation for Sustainable Development

The Provincial Labor Safety and Health Council inspected the actual situation at Shenzhen Concrete and Construction Company Limited (Quyet Thang Commune, Thai Nguyen City).

Recently, the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs (now the Department of Home Affairs) has issued many documents urging and guiding the implementation of regulations on occupational safety and hygiene (OSH) to the People's Committees of districts, cities, the Provincial Federation of Labor, the Provincial Industrial Park Management Board... Not stopping at documents, propaganda work on OSH has also been deployed on a large scale and in depth.

Through more than 100 media products, from banners, leaflets, to special reports on Thai Nguyen Radio - Television, Thai Nguyen Newspaper in recent times, the message of occupational safety and health has reached closer to each enterprise, each craft village, each worker. Along with that, the inspection and examination work has also been vigorously implemented by the Provincial Occupational Safety and Health Council.

In 2024, the specialized agency inspected and examined 57 enterprises, issued 44 recommendations and 8 decisions on penalties with a total amount of 124.5 million VND. At the same time, it made 93 recommendations to rectify and guide 42 enterprises to promptly correct and correct the implementation of the provisions of the Labor Code, the Law on Occupational Safety and Health and the Law on Social Insurance.

Timely detection of violations, recommendations for correction, sanctions for violations and specific instructions have helped many units overcome limitations, enhance responsibility in labor protection, occupational safety and hygiene management and implementation of social insurance policies for employees. This not only prevents the risk of occupational accidents but also creates a fair and humane working environment, enhancing employees' trust in enterprises and state management agencies.

In 2024, the competent authority investigated 27 occupational accidents and imposed fines of VND 292 million; including 312 workers who had not received occupational safety and health training. The investigation of occupational accidents was carried out seriously and in accordance with procedures, contributing to clarifying the cause of the incident, determining the responsibilities of the parties involved, and drawing warning lessons, raising awareness and prevention capacity for both businesses and workers. Strictly handling violations, especially serious violations, is not only a deterrent but also a reminder for businesses to prioritize occupational safety, considering it the foundation for long-term development.

Production area of ​​Tan Lap Elevator - Mechanical Company Limited (Tan Lap ward, Thai Nguyen city).

Mr. Nguyen Van Quyen, Deputy Head of the Labor Policy Department, Department of Home Affairs, said: During the inspection process at enterprises, the factor that we pay the most attention to is compliance with labor safety regulations, from providing adequate labor protection equipment for employees, to ensuring a working environment without harmful risks. Along with that is the implementation of safety procedures in production, ensuring fire prevention and fighting, labor hygiene and the health of employees are protected to the maximum.

In 2024, the whole province had 148 enterprises declaring equipment with strict requirements on occupational safety. This shows the proactiveness of enterprises in complying with legal regulations. Not only that, training courses, dialogues, and seminars have become a bridge between enterprises - employees - management agencies. More than 170 people representing 50 enterprises participated in occupational safety and health training sessions, over 117 enterprises participated in direct dialogues.

Mr. Tran Dinh Nghia, Director of Mountainous Mining Joint Stock Company (headquartered in Thai Nguyen City): We consider labor safety as the first factor in the production process. The company has organized labor safety training, provided safety equipment and conducted periodic health check-ups for employees. Since 2024, the unit has had no labor accidents.

It can be seen that the active participation of authorities and enterprises has contributed to building a safe and stable working environment for employees, proactively preventing particularly serious incidents, and minimizing environmental pollution. However, in the province, there are still occupational accidents causing damage to people and property. This poses an urgent need to further strengthen inspection and supervision, raise the sense of responsibility of both employees and employers, in order to minimize risks that may occur during the production process.

In the coming time, Thai Nguyen province will continue to effectively implement Directive No. 31-CT/TW dated March 19, 2024 of the Central Party Secretariat on continuing to strengthen the Party's leadership over occupational safety and health in the new situation. Along with that, promote propaganda, dissemination andeducation of occupational safety and health laws for leaders, managers, employers and employees in agencies and units.

The whole province strives to reduce occupational accidents, especially serious occupational accidents; the rate of fatal occupational accidents decreases by at least 4%/year; the number of workers working in environments exposed to risk factors who are examined and detected for occupational diseases increases by at least 5%/year; the number of establishments generating harmful factors whose working environment is monitored increases by at least 5%/year.

With continuous efforts to improve the working environment, Thai Nguyen is affirming its strong commitment to building a sustainable industrial development, closely linked to protecting the health and safety of workers. Practical actions and occupational safety policies not only help protect lives, but also create a solid foundation for long-term development, harmonizing economic benefits and social responsibility. Occupational safety is the key factor for Thai Nguyen to continue to grow, becoming a model in sustainable industrial development, bringing benefits to both the community and the economy.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202504/an-toan-lao-dong-nen-mong-cho-su-phat-trien-ben-vung-b7a33f4/