Occupational environment monitoring of a furniture manufacturing factory

1. Overview of the Furniture Manufacturing Factory

a. What is a furniture manufacturing factory?

Factory manufacturing furniture is a factory that produces interior products including tables, chairs, cabinets, and other items used in living and working spaces. Furniture manufacturing factories usually produce products from materials such as wood, metal, plastic, fabric, and other materials.

The manufactured products can be designed and fabricated according to customer requirements or based on pre-existing designs.

b. Production stages in a furniture manufacturing factory

Production stages in a furniture manufacturing factory include:

• Material preparation: Wood, nails, screws, glue, foam cores, upholstery fabric, etc.
• Cutting, sanding, woodturning: Wood is cut, sanded, and shaped into small pieces with the required sizes and shapes.
• Frame assembly: Wood pieces are assembled into chair frames using nails and screws to hold components together.
• Carving: If required, furniture details are carved to create beautiful and unique designs.
• Foam padding and upholstery: Foam cores are padded and covered with fabric to create comfortable seating and backrests.
• Finishing: After assembly and upholstery, furniture is finished by polishing, painting, and quality checking to ensure it meets standards.

c. Types of machinery used in a furniture manufacturing factory

Main machinery used in a furniture manufacturing factory includes:

• Carving machine: Used for carving wood details such as knees, chair legs, and armrests.
• Wood saw: Used to cut and shape wood pieces to create furniture components.
• Planer: Used to polish and sand wood components to produce smooth surfaces.
• Wood lathe: Used to create wood details such as chair legs and armrests in various shapes and sizes.
• Drilling machine: Used to drill holes in wood components for assembly.
• Edge banding machine: Used to attach edges to wood components to create smooth, attractive surfaces.
• Spray painting machine: Used to paint wood components for coloring and finishing the final product.

d. Occupational diseases that may occur in furniture manufacturing workers

Workers in furniture manufacturing factories may encounter some occupational diseases such as:

• Back pain: Due to prolonged sitting or standing, lifting, moving, and handling heavy items.
• Joint inflammation: Due to frequent lifting, handling, and operating machinery.
• Respiratory diseases: Due to dust and chemicals during production.
• Skin diseases: Due to exposure to chemicals during production, such as woodworking, painting, or chemical coating.
• Vision problems: Due to working in low-light environments or focusing on small details during production.

These occupational diseases can affect workers’ health and productivity in the furniture manufacturing factory.

e. Common types of furniture on the market

Currently, there are many types of furniture produced and sold in various designs and materials. Some common types include:

• Office furniture: Commonly used in offices, available in various designs and materials such as wood, metal, plastic, etc.
• Meeting room furniture: Designed for meetings, available in various designs and materials such as wood, metal, plastic, etc.
• Waiting room furniture: Designed for waiting areas, available in various designs and materials such as wood, metal, plastic, etc.
• Restaurant furniture: Used in restaurants and eateries, available in various designs and materials such as wood, metal, plastic, etc.
• Outdoor furniture: Designed for outdoor use, available in various designs and materials such as wood, metal, plastic, aluminum, etc.
• Children’s furniture: Designed specifically for children, available in various designs and materials such as wood, plastic, metal, etc.

2. Overview of workplace environment monitoring services

a. What is workplace environment monitoring at a furniture manufacturing factory?

Workplace environment monitoring (or occupational environment assessment) at a furniture manufacturing factory is the activity of collecting, evaluating, and analyzing measurements of occupational environmental factors at the factory to implement timely measures, minimize environmental impacts on workers’ health, and prevent occupational diseases. Workplace environment monitoring is a mandatory requirement for furniture manufacturing factories.

Workplace environment monitoring plays a critical role in protecting, maintaining, and enhancing workers’ health, as workers are the primary resource of a business and directly contribute to its profit. Workers frequently exposed to risks and occupational hazards beyond permissible limits may experience health issues and develop occupational diseases.

REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

b. Nam Viet’s workplace environment monitoring program

Nam Viet’s workplace environment monitoring program is developed by monitoring engineers specializing in occupational safety and environmental protection. Aimed at ensuring workers’ health and safety, this program uses modern measurement methods to monitor air, water, microclimate, physical, and dust factors in the workplace. It is crucial for ensuring a safe working environment and protecting workers’ health.

Additionally, Nam Viet’s program plays an important role in researching and developing new solutions to improve workplace environmental quality. With the dedication and professionalism of the monitoring experts, Nam Viet’s exclusive program is becoming a breakthrough in occupational safety and environmental management in Vietnam.

c. Standardization in workplace environment measurement procedures

Standardization in Nam Viet’s workplace environment measurement procedures is essential for ensuring the quality of measurement results. To guarantee accuracy and reliability, the program follows standards and standardized procedures recognized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. This ensures that the collected data can be reliably used for evaluating the work environment and making informed decisions to improve workplace conditions and protect workers’ health.

These standardized procedures also ensure that measurements are conducted by a highly qualified team of monitoring specialists with years of experience, enabling managers and experts to trust An Toan Nam Viet’s results and make accurate, valuable decisions to safeguard workers’ health and the environment.

By applying standardization in workplace environment measurement procedures, Nam Viet demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a safe working environment and protecting workers’ health, while contributing positively to the development and enhancement of occupational safety and environmental management in Vietnam.

d. Reporting the results of furniture manufacturing factory environment monitoring

Workplace environment monitoring results are compiled according to Form No. 04, Appendix III issued with Decree 44/2016/ND-CP and prepared in two copies: one copy is sent to the enterprise that signed the monitoring contract, and one copy is retained by the organization performing the monitoring.

The retention period for workplace environment monitoring results is indefinite, in accordance with legal regulations.

e. Frequency of workplace environment monitoring as per legal regulations

According to clause 2 of Article 18 of the Law on Occupational Safety and Health 84/2015/QH13, employers must conduct workplace environment monitoring to assess harmful factors at least once a year.

f. Deadline for submitting workplace environment monitoring reports as per legal regulations

The deadline for submitting reports is before December 31 each year. Enterprises at manufacturing facilities are required to submit workplace environment monitoring reports to the Department of Health in the locality where the enterprise’s headquarters is located and where workers are employed.

When there are changes in technology, manufacturing processes, or during facility renovation or upgrades that may generate new harmful factors affecting workers’ health, enterprises must update occupational hygiene records related to these harmful factors and perform workplace environment monitoring.

g. Penalties for violations of workplace environment monitoring by employers

According to Article 27 of Decree No. 12/2022/ND-CP dated January 17, 2022, regulating administrative penalties in labor, social insurance, and Vietnamese workers working abroad under contract:

• Clause 2: Fines from 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND for employers who fail to publicly announce to workers at the monitored workplace and at the inspection and management site the results of workplace environment monitoring and the results of inspection, assessment, and management of hazardous factors immediately after obtaining them.
• Clause 3: Fines from 20,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND for employers who fail to conduct workplace environment monitoring to control health impacts on workers as required by law.
• Clause 4: Fines from 40,000,000 – 60,000,000 VND for employers who collude with organizations conducting workplace environment monitoring to commit fraud in monitoring activities, but the act does not yet constitute criminal liability.

3. Harmful environmental factors for workers in furniture manufacturing factories

In furniture manufacturing factories, harmful environmental factors for workers’ health may include:

• Dust and chemical fumes: During wood processing and product finishing, wood dust and other chemicals can have serious health consequences for workers who inhale them.
• Noise: Noise in furniture manufacturing factories can cause hearing and psychological health issues for employees working in this environment.
• Lighting: High-intensity lighting in factories can cause eye strain and glare for people working continuously in this environment.
• Temperature: Temperatures in furniture manufacturing factories may vary across areas, with some areas being very hot due to machinery and equipment operation.
• Air quality: Air in the factory may be polluted by wood dust, chemicals, and other substances used in the production process.
• Physical hazards: Risk of injury from machinery and equipment used in furniture production, as well as workplace accidents if labor safety is not ensured.

REGISTER FOR LABOR ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

4. Measures to improve the working environment in furniture manufacturing factories

To improve the working environment in furniture manufacturing factories, the following measures can be implemented:

• Provide full personal protective equipment and ensure workers use it properly.
• Conduct regular workplace hygiene management to ensure cleanliness, ventilation, and no adverse effects on workers’ health.
• Ensure proper handling and recycling of waste, guaranteeing safety for workers and the surrounding environment.
• Periodically adjust the work environment to reduce noise and ensure appropriate lighting and temperature levels according to regulations.
• Provide training to workers on labor safety and environmental protection to raise awareness and responsibility on these issues.
• Use advanced technologies and modern machinery to minimize the impact of production processes on the environment and workers’ health.
• Conduct regular inspections of the work environment and implement corrective measures if necessary.
• Periodically conduct labor environment monitoring in factories, collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, and implement adjustments to reduce risks and prevent occupational diseases.

5. Benefits of periodic monitoring in furniture manufacturing factories

An Toan Nam Viet provides businesses with excellent benefits when using labor environment monitoring services in accordance with Decree 44/2016/ND-CP on the management and control of harmful factors in the working environment affecting workers.

• Businesses can proactively control harmful factors in workshops or factories.
• Receive advice and recommendations on measures to reduce harmful factors and improve the quality of the working environment.
• Indirectly protect human resources, the key factor in business development.
• Minimize the impact of occupational diseases on human health, reducing future treatment costs.
• Improved worker health leads to higher product quality and consistent production output.
• Compliance with labor safety laws, avoiding legal risks.
• Enhance reputation and professionalism, elevating the business brand.

Nam Viet’s environmental monitoring service is a solution to reduce the impact of occupational diseases, contributing to a clean and high-quality working environment.

6. National labor environment monitoring center

National labor environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring labor environment quality across all provinces in Vietnam. With experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.

In addition to monitoring services, the center assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking labor environment issues. With the motto “customer-centered,” the center prioritizes client satisfaction, meets all client needs, and provides the best solutions for businesses.

REGISTER FOR LABOR ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

With investment in technology, equipment, and human resources, Nam Viet’s monitoring center has become one of the most reputable units in labor environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City, with the following goals:

• We always value our brand reputation and service quality.
• We provide clients with the best and most suitable solutions.
• With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers committed to environmental protection and business benefits.
• Working with Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring, your company will receive professional service from field experts and enjoy the best cost advantages.

The labor environment monitoring process at Nam Viet includes the following steps:

• Before performing monitoring, all equipment is calibrated and adjusted according to legal regulations.
• Follow the complete monitoring procedure as committed to the Department of Health.
• Report labor environment monitoring results honestly to the employer.
• If monitoring results indicate unsafe conditions for workers, Nam Viet will provide corrective solutions, and the workplace will implement:
  • Measures to improve working conditions, minimize harmful factor impact, and prevent occupational diseases.
  • Organize health checks to detect occupational and related diseases early for employees in unsafe working conditions.
  • Provide material compensation to employees according to labor law.

7. Labor environment monitoring price list

To help businesses conduct professional and effective labor environment monitoring, Nam Viet provides clients with a comprehensive and reasonably priced labor environment monitoring service price list.

• Our price list provides detailed information on the costs of monitoring services, including travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting fees. Clients can be assured of the accuracy and reliability of our monitoring reports.
• We are committed to offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market and are always ready to provide quick and professional consultation on monitoring services.
• With Nam Viet’s price list, clients can easily choose service packages that meet their needs. We are committed to delivering maximum satisfaction with professional service quality.