This year, the 10th National Week on Labour Hygiene & Safety, Fire and Explosion Prevention will be launched from March 16-23 in the northern midland province of Phu Tho under the theme “Improving working conditions and reducing workplace accidents and occupational diseases”.

According to a report by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), last year saw no sign of reduction in the number of workplace accidents, fire and explosion cases and occupational diseases. In 2007 alone, nearly 6,000 workplace accidents were reported in the country, leaving over 600 dead and more than 2,500 injured. Total material losses were estimated at more than VND58 billion. In particular, 2007 also witnessed many serious workplace accidents such as the Can Tho Bridge collapse, the explosion of a 12,000-cu.m oil tanker in central Da Nang city, a rockslide in central Nghe An province and northern Ha Nam province that killed dozens people. Furthermore, tens of workplace accidents happened at the beginning of this year, including the explosion of a barge in southern Long An province, the collapse of a brick-kiln in northern Ha Tay province, while killed and wounded many people. The largest number of fatal workplace accidents in 2007 was reported in Ho Chi Minh City, the northern border Quang Ninh province and southern Vinh Long province.

Most workplace accidents were attributed to dangerous working conditions and workers’ poor awareness of occupational health and safety (OHS), the carelessness and negligence of labourers, poor OHS training and the lack of OHS facilities during work.

This year, the steering board for the 10^th National Week on Labour Hygiene & Safety, Fire and Explosion Prevention focuses on improving working conditions and reducing workplace accidents and occupational diseases in order to promote OHS work, minimise workplace accidents and successfully realise goals set by the national programme on labour protection untill 2020.

To carry out the 10^th National Week on Labour Hygiene and Safety, Fire and Explosion Prevention successfully, it is necessary to make employers realise their responsibility in improving working conditions for workers by applying advanced technology to ensure the safety and health of their workforce and protect the environment. It is also important to install warning safety system and invest in purchasing technical equipment to ensure safety for labourers, especially those who work in the coal and construction sectors.

Second, workers should obey regulations on Labour Hygiene and Safety, Fire and Explosion Prevention. Trade unions should promote their supervisory role and conduct joint activities to ensure the implementation of the labour law at localities.

Third, relevant agencies and localities should be instructed to implement the national programme on labour protection, labour safety and labour sanitation until 2010 in line with fulfilling the socio-economic development plan. Related regulations on Labour Hygiene and Safety, Fire and Explosion Prevention should be introduced to enterprises, employers and workers.