TKV: Strengthening solutions to ensure labor safety

Despite tightened occupational safety measures, the coal industry has still experienced a number of unfortunate workplace accidents. To eliminate occupational safety risks at the workplace, the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group ( TKV ) is requiring its units to tighten work procedures, strengthen inspection and supervision, detect, prevent, and handle violations in order to minimize occupational safety risks and incidents.

Thong Nhat Coal Company promotes labor safety slogans at many work locations.

Over the past period, safety has always been a top priority and has been implemented vigorously throughout the coal industry. In the first six months alone, TKV (Vietnam Coal Corporation) issued numerous guiding documents and detailed regulations on the planning and implementation of occupational safety and health (OSH) work, and strengthened measures to ensure disaster prevention and search and rescue. The entire Group conducted 14 thematic inspections of all TKV units based on official directives, and 3 unscheduled inspections. Directives were issued to immediately address shortcomings and to conduct reviews and disciplinary actions against units. In the first six months of the year, TKV units spent over 700 billion VND on OSH work.

However, with increasingly deeper underground coal mining operations, workers have to work in cramped environments and face numerous safety risks. Since the beginning of this year alone, TKV (Vietnam Coal Corporation) enterprises in the province have experienced 7 serious work accidents resulting in 17 deaths. Given the increasing number of work accidents and their unpredictable nature, the Corporation aims to minimize the number of work accidents and incidents caused by human error by the end of 2024; reduce the number of Category 1 incidents and serious work accidents compared to the same period in 2023; and prevent catastrophic accidents and incidents.

Accordingly, TKV and its member units focus on investing in mechanization and automation to improve labor productivity and working and commuting conditions for workers, especially in underground mining. The application of mechanization will reduce direct labor compared to conventional mining, contributing to minimizing risks. For open-pit mines, TKV has put into use high-capacity mechanized equipment such as 96-ton trucks, large-diameter drilling machines, hydraulic drilling machines, electric excavators, hydraulic backhoe excavators, combined truck-conveyor transport systems, and flexible frame trucks...

TKV currently has 13 underground coal mining units. To date, 100% of the units have installed and put into operation an automated centralized mine gas monitoring system. This system continuously updates mine gas parameters and data to the centralized production control center, helping units control parameters quickly, accurately, and safely. To eliminate occupational safety risks, all TKV underground coal mining units are currently strengthening ventilation and mine gas control solutions to prevent spontaneous coal combustion in underground mines; equipping and installing sufficient wind and gas sensors and mine gas monitoring systems for all personnel in underground mines; and strictly implementing the use of handheld gas detectors for monitoring and control.

TKV also requires units to maintain procedures ensuring that a supervisor guides workers into the mine, and to control gas before and during production shifts as prescribed. Preventive measures against spontaneous coal combustion include the installation of complete nitrogen gas pumping pipelines, temperature control pipes, and gas control systems. In addition, occupational safety and health inspections and controls are strengthened, especially in underground mining units, to detect risks early, address and eliminate hazards, and prevent violations of occupational safety and health regulations.

Vang Danh Coal Joint Stock Company conducts occupational safety and health knowledge tests for all its employees.

According to TKV General Director Dang Thanh Hai: The last months of the year are when mines accelerate their production, boosting coal mining output, and the risk of occupational safety and health violations remains ever-present in many locations. The Group requires its units to pay special attention to implementing occupational safety and health work effectively, identifying it as the number one priority. Accordingly, it requires reviewing, supplementing, and building a team of highly qualified, capable, and responsible occupational safety and health personnel; enhancing the role and position of the occupational safety and health team and establishing mechanisms to improve operational efficiency. Alongside investing in modern technology, the coal industry also focuses on promoting education on policies and laws, raising the self-awareness of safety among workers and employers. At the same time, it regularly reviews and improves procedures, regulations, and technical safety management documents, supplementing plans for incident response, search and rescue, fire prevention, and disaster response.

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