Wood processing is an industry that uses a lot of machinery, posing a high risk of workplace accidents. In reality, at some small-scale processing facilities, compliance with occupational safety regulations is not strictly enforced. Workers still work in environments with a lot of wood dust and loud noise, but are not adequately equipped with protective gear. Some machinery is not properly shielded, posing a risk of accidents during operation.
Observations at a pallet wood processing workshop in Hoa An village, Thai Binh commune, reveal that working conditions remain inadequate. In the approximately 100 square meter workshop, various saws and cutting machines operate continuously. Many workers are working right next to the machines, but their protective gear consists only of masks, gloves, and bare heads.
Ms. VTB, a worker at the factory, said: "We mainly work seasonally. Usually, during the workday, I only wear a face mask and cloth gloves, and sometimes wood dust gets in my eyes, which is very uncomfortable."
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Toai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Binh commune, said: The commune currently has 5 enterprises, 1 cooperative, and 10 establishments processing various types of forest products. Although no serious occupational accidents have been recorded in the wood processing sector in the area recently, the risk remains ever-present, especially since some establishments have not fully equipped themselves with protective equipment and safe working conditions. Currently, the People's Committee of the commune is coordinating with relevant agencies to strengthen inspection and supervision of compliance with legal regulations; promoting propaganda and guidance to raise awareness and compliance with occupational safety regulations among establishment owners and workers, contributing to preventing and reducing risks in the production process.
According to statistics from the Department of Internal Affairs, from 2022 to the present, the province has experienced 5 occupational accidents in the field of forest product exploitation and processing, resulting in 4 deaths and 1 injury. The main causes are that many business owners still have a complacent attitude, have not focused on investing in improving working conditions, have not adequately equipped workers with protective equipment, and have not inspected and supervised the compliance of workers with safety regulations. In addition, the awareness of occupational safety regulations among a segment of workers is still low, with a complacent attitude, working quickly and carelessly to increase productivity.
In light of this situation, relevant agencies and local authorities in the province have intensified inspections and guidance for production facilities to strictly comply with occupational safety regulations. Simultaneously, they have promoted awareness campaigns to educate facility owners and workers about the importance of ensuring safety in production. For example, in 2025, relevant provincial agencies coordinated inspections of 20 production and business units and facilities regarding occupational safety, hygiene, explosives, etc.; collaborated with businesses and production facilities to organize 704 training courses, integrating occupational safety and hygiene awareness campaigns for 182,687 participants; and launched 15 campaigns and emulation movements on occupational safety and hygiene with 935 collectives and 4,156 individuals participating.
Ms. Hoang Thi Le, Head of the Labor, Employment and Social Insurance Department of the Department of Internal Affairs, said: The department has advised the provincial department to strengthen coordination in inspection and propaganda, requiring manufacturing and processing enterprises, including those processing forest products, to strictly comply with regulations on occupational safety and hygiene; to provide adequate protective equipment; and to require employees to strictly adhere to internal regulations, procedures, and safety measures... In the coming time, the department will continue to advise and coordinate with relevant units to promote the dissemination of regulations on occupational safety in production, especially in the exploitation and processing of forest products… Thereby, contributing to building a safe and stable working environment.
Besides the involvement of authorities, production facilities and workers also need to raise awareness and strictly comply with occupational safety regulations. When awareness is raised and regulations are strictly implemented, it will contribute to reducing occupational accident risks and create a foundation for the sustainable development of the wood processing industry.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/noi-lo-an-toan-trong-che-bien-go-5090838.html
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