Over 860 people killed in work-related accidents in 2016

Hanoi (VNA) - More than 860 people were killed in work-related accidents last year in Vietnam, according to a report from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA)’s Labour Safety Department.

The figure was released at the press briefing on the occasion of the first action month of the year to promote workplace safety and hygiene, hosted by MoLISA on April 25 in Hanoi.

According to the report, there were close to 8,000 occupational accidents, resulting in over 860 deaths.

Construction, mining and fishing jobs are considered the most dangerous in the country.

Employers are the reason for more than 42 percent of fatal occupational accidents, while workers are responsible for more than 17 percent and 40 percent is by other causes.

The localities with the highest number of workplace accidents are HCM City, Hanoi, Binh Duong and Thanh Hoa.

Many fatal accidents have also not been reported, Ha Tat Thang, head of the Labour Safety Department, said.

The action month for labour safety will begin in Hanoi on May 1 as part of the city’s efforts to raise public awareness on occupational safety and promote enforcement of the Law on Occupational Safety and Hygiene. 

The city will give a push to labour safety and hygiene training at local businesses, helping them update necessary information to tackle labour accidents, fires and explosions at the workplace. 

Enterprises are ordered to improve working conditions, take drastic measures to reduce workplace pollution and occupational diseases and undertake detailed inspection of explosion prevention methods at the workplace. 

The action month also includes conferences and seminars on improving working conditions and medical healthcare for employees, especially those working in high-risk sectors.-VNA