LookAtVietnam – Enterprises failing to report workplace accidents will be severely punished, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Bui Hong Linh told . . .

Employers should regularly check enterprise operations relating to accident risks.

But, in a lot of enterprises, especially the medium-and small- ones, there are still many workers who do not have good knowledge on safety. As a result, labour accidents keep happening.

Last year most accidents occurred in the construction (51 per cent), mining (15.5 per cent) and mechanical (5.93 per cent) industries.

Statistics show 29 per cent were due to the fault of employers, 12 per cent to lack of training on workplace safety, 27 per cent to poor facilities. Accidents also happened because workers did not follow safety regulations.

Was the increase in workplace accidents because strict punishments were rarely applied to violators?

The speed of investigation for the accidents is slow. Last year, 63 cities and provinces had 507 workplace accidents but we have received only 135 accident reports.

In detail, HCM City reported 69 out of 102, Quang Ninh 15 out of 27, Dong Nai 3 out of 30. Binh Duong, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Son La and Ha Nam had between 11 and 23 cases, but none of them produced an accident report.

Of the total number of accidents last year, only two cases were sent to the People’s Procuracy for investigation of criminal responsibility and possible prosecution.

The number of enterprises which report workplace accidents makes up only 2.4 per cent.

What are the solutions?

We have asked ministry branch inspectors to punish enterprises which don’t report accidents and to work on ensuring that accidents are investigated and reports are made so any wrongdoing can be punished.

In construction, mining and electricity, we require our staff to mostly inspect the enterprises with old technology which influence the environment.

What should be done to prevent workplace accidents?

Employers should regularly check enterprise operations relating to accident risks. If accidents happen, enterprises will not only lose money and possibly equipment, they may also be brought to court. So, employers should develop a culture of safety and workplace safety checks and train their workers in safe working procedures.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News