The 13 th National Week on Labour Safety and Hygiene – Fire and Explosion Prevention will take place from March 20-26.

The information was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), Bui Hong Linh, at a press conference in Hanoi on February 24.

According to Linh, a ceremony to launch the week will be held at the Dung Quat Industrial Park in the central province of Quang Ngai on March 20.

In 2010, the country saw more than 5,100 accidents at work, killing and injuring over 5,300 people. Despite the decrease in the numbers of cases and victims, the numbers of deadly accidents and fatalities has risen by 9.27 percent compared to 2009.

The ten localities that reported the highest numbers of fatal work related accidents included Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hai Duong, Quang Binh, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Long An.

Bac Lieu was the only province in the country to record no fatal labour accidents for two consecutive years.

Accidents at work in 2010 caused a total loss of 137.5 billion VND

To prevent accident in the future, all ministries and businesses need to strengthen the supervision of State regulations on labour safety and hygiene, and introduce accident insurance policies.

Businesses should regularly inspect machinery and equipment and improve the working conditions for workers to ensure that they work in a safe environment./.