Speaking at the 2025 National Occupational Safety and Health Information Network Conference in Hanoi, officials and specialists pointed to the fact that serious workplace accidents continue to occur in high-risk sectors such as construction, mining, electricity and chemicals, despite ongoing prevention efforts.

A report presented by the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Home Affairs showed that Vietnam’s workforce is expanding quickly and shifting towards industry and services, while platform-based and informal labour are becoming more widespread. These trends, the report said, are exposing weaknesses in conventional approaches to occupational safety and health management.

Experts noted that artificial intelligence, big data and digital platforms could help shift workplace safety from reactive accident response to proactive risk prevention. However, they cautioned that technology alone is not a solution.

Nguyen Anh Tho, head of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Science and Technology under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, said the benefits of intelligent systems must be matched with effective measures to protect both assets and human resources in the workplace to prevent accidents and incidents.

Participants also warned that the rapid adoption of new technologies such as robotics, automation, renewable energy and advanced materials is creating new occupational hazards, while risk assessment and research systems have yet to fully adapt. Without proper governance, technology could increase risks rather than reduce them.

Chu Thi Hanh, deputy head of the Department of Employment, said the use of artificial intelligence requires careful assessment of job positions, targeted training and clear warnings for workers during implementation to minimise preventable accidents.

Delegates agreed that artificial intelligence and digital transformation in occupational safety and health can only be effective if accompanied by stronger regulations, improved management capacity, practical training and the development of a safety culture within enterprises.

While technology is an important tool, they said, human factors and corporate responsibility remain the decisive factors in ensuring worker safety and health in the digital era.

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