The cement crusher tragedy is as unbelievable as it was decades ago!

Mandatory safety steps are “ignored”

Discussing the case of 7 workers dying in the crusher of a cement factory in Yen Bai, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tho, Director of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Hygiene Science (Vietnam General Confederation of Labor) said. , this incident repeats the cause of labor accidents in the field of construction materials production that were common decades ago.

In the current context, Mr. Tho is surprised that such an industrial accident still occurs. Because, most cement factories have converted to advanced, much safer production technology.

In particular, there is no shortage of processes and legal regulations on occupational safety and health, forcing manufacturing enterprises to fully comply. These factors help prevent potential tragedies from occurring.

With the published information about the incident, the Director of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Hygiene pointed out that many mandatory safety steps in the maintenance process at a medium-sized factory have been completed. is not executed.

Specifically, according to current regulations, before maintaining crushers, operators and workers must comply with many legal regulations such as the Law on Occupational Safety and Health, Vietnam Regulation No. 05/2012 issued by the Ministry of Health and Safety. Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs issued on labor safety in stone exploitation and processing, National Regulation No. 06/2020 issued by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs on labor safety and hygiene in confined spaces…

Director of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Hygiene analyzed, maintained, and maintained crushers as work in confined spaces. According to regulations, these jobs are required to be trained and trained for workers on plans, skills, and processes in a proficient and mature manner.

Along with that, there must be an emergency plan, with a safety monitoring department standing nearby, so that in case an incident occurs, it can be overcome and controlled immediately.

“A technological machinery system that is maintained with a team of 10 people and suddenly restarts while it is stopped is beyond imagination. The cause of the crusher’s operation will be specifically investigated. But there is a problem. It can be seen that a technology system being maintained, whether there is a person or not, cannot be automated?”, Mr. Tho questioned.

In general, a particularly serious occupational accident, causing 10 casualties, Mr. Tho emphasized, the responsibility of business owners and management levels is very great.

Although the legal system has complete regulations, in reality a part of businesses does not have enough capacity and means to ensure safety, protect labor, and overcome dangerous factors for workers.

What to do to avoid tragedy?

To ensure occupational safety and hygiene in enterprises, the Director of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Hygiene summarized that occupational safety and hygiene training is the most important, most effective and cheapest measure. best.

Practice shows that many businesses want to have good services provided on labor safety training. However, the organizations and agencies that carry out this task do not have available products such as programs, good lecturers…

“In an enterprise, even though the owner wants to organize good training, the officer in charge of safety training has another purpose, so the training, equipment, and skills do not meet the requirements. In that case, workers are the most disadvantaged, then businesses and society,” Mr. Tho stated.

Currently, many construction businesses develop and organize safety training from on-site sources such as technical staff and experts. Gradually, they are elevated to safety trainers. This is a flexible problem, immediately meeting the requirements of ensuring labor safety.

Discussing the overall solution, Mr. Tho said that it is necessary to review current legal policies such as the investor’s responsibility in labor hygiene and safety. Nowadays, businesses often hire contractors to provide general services. When there is an incident related to labor safety, the responsibility of the parties is not clear.

In addition, businesses need to have an assessment of the risks of the technology system, machinery and equipment in use, and then have an appropriate plan to ensure labor safety.

According to this person, it is necessary to pay attention to allocating human and financial resources in training a team of labor safety experts, scientists, and managers.

Currently, many new industries are born, many new technologies are applied such as petrochemical refining, chemicals, electronics… To control labor safety in these industries, a well-trained workforce is needed. safety skills, safety culture…