Occupational Environment Monitoring at the Industrial Laundry Workshop

1. Overview of industrial laundry workshop

a. What is an industrial laundry workshop?

An industrial laundry workshop is a facility that produces laundry goods and provides laundry services on a large scale, serving customers in the fields of hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools, agencies, and other organizations. Industrial laundry workshops often use advanced machines, equipment, and technologies to carry out laundry, cleaning, ironing, and packaging processes effectively and with high quality.

b. Production stages in industrial laundry workshops

In industrial laundry workshops, the main stages include:

• Receiving and sorting: Laundry is received and classified according to fabric type, color, dirt level, and special customer requirements.
• Washing and cleaning: Laundry is placed into industrial washing machines or cleaning systems using modern technologies such as hot water washing, chemical washing, dry cleaning, etc. to remove dust, stains, and odors.
• Ironing and finishing: After cleaning, laundry is ironed and finished with industrial ironing machines, smoothing machines, and other equipment to ensure a neat and professional appearance.
• Packing and delivery: After ironing and finishing, laundry will be packed and prepared for delivery back to customers.

c. Types of machinery used in industrial laundry workshops

In industrial laundry workshops, various types of machinery are used to perform laundry, cleaning, ironing, and packaging processes. Below are some common types of machinery in industrial laundry workshops:

• Industrial washing machine: Specialized machines used to wash large amounts of fabric and laundry. Industrial washing machines have different functions and fabric processing capabilities such as hot water washing, chemical washing, dry cleaning, delicate fabric washing, etc.
• Industrial dryer: Industrial dryers are used to dry laundry after the washing process. Industrial dryers usually have large capacities and the ability to process large amounts of fabric quickly.
• Industrial ironing machine: Industrial ironing machines are used to iron and finish laundry. They are large in size, have wide ironing surfaces, and can adjust temperature and pressure to meet specific requirements for each type of fabric.
• Smoothing machine: Smoothing machines are used to soften and smooth laundry after ironing. These machines help remove wrinkles and create a soft surface for fabrics.
• Cutting, sewing, and packaging machines: In some industrial laundry workshops, machines may also be used to cut, sew, and package laundry after completion.

d. What occupational diseases can workers in industrial laundry workshops face?

Workers in industrial laundry workshops may face some occupational diseases such as:

• Respiratory diseases: Laundry workers may be exposed to dust and chemical fumes during the washing and cleaning process. This may cause respiratory issues such as chemical pneumonia, pneumonia, and other conditions such as asthma, sinusitis, and pharyngitis.
• Skin diseases: Continuous contact with chemicals during washing, cleaning, and laundry handling may cause skin irritation, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes.
• Musculoskeletal diseases: Working in an environment requiring frequent movements, laundry workers may face musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, cervical spondylosis, arthritis, and musculoskeletal injuries due to repetitive movements.
• Vision problems: Working with machines and optical equipment may cause eye strain and vision problems such as eye fatigue, dry eyes, and tearing.
• Ear diseases: Exposure to noise from machines during washing and drying may cause hearing problems such as hearing loss and ear damage.

To protect the health of workers in industrial laundry workshops, safety and health protection measures such as ensuring the use of personal protective equipment, proper ventilation and waste management, regular machine inspection and maintenance, providing occupational safety training, and using safe detergents should be applied.

2. Overview of occupational environment monitoring service

a. What is occupational environment monitoring at industrial laundry workshops?

Occupational environment monitoring (or occupational environment measurement) at industrial laundry workshops is the activity of collecting, evaluating, and analyzing measurement indicators of occupational environmental factors at laundry workshops, in order to take timely measures, minimize environmental harm to workers’ health, and prevent occupational diseases. Occupational environment monitoring is a mandatory requirement for industrial laundry workshops.

Occupational environment monitoring plays the most important role in caring for, protecting, and improving workers’ health because the main resource of enterprises and the direct creators of profits are the workers. Workers frequently exposed to risk factors and occupational hazards exceeding allowable standards will be affected in health and may suffer from occupational diseases.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

b. Occupational environment monitoring program of Nam Viet

The occupational environment monitoring program of Nam Viet is a program developed by monitoring engineers in the field of occupational safety and environmental protection. With the aim of ensuring workers’ health and safety, this program uses modern measuring methods to monitor air quality, water, microclimate factors, physics, dust, etc. in the working environment. This is a very important program in ensuring a safe working environment and protecting workers’ health.

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

c. Standardization in occupational environment measurement process

Standardization in Nam Viet’s occupational environment measurement process is a very important aspect in ensuring the quality of measurement results. To guarantee accuracy and reliability of the results, this program applies recognized standards and standardized procedures of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. This ensures that the collected data will be used with high reliability in occupational environment assessment and decision-making for workplace improvements to protect workers’ health.

These standardized procedures also ensure that measurement results are conducted by a team of monitoring experts with high qualifications and years of experience, helping managers and specialists rely on results from An Toan Nam Viet to make accurate and valuable decisions in protecting workers’ health and the environment.

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

d. Report on occupational environment monitoring results of industrial laundry workshops

The occupational environment monitoring results report is prepared according to form No. 04, Appendix III issued with Decree 44/2016/ND-CP and is made in two copies: one sent to the labor facility that signed the occupational environment monitoring contract and one kept at the monitoring organization.

The storage duration of occupational environment monitoring results is regulated by law as indefinite record keeping.

e. Frequency of occupational environment monitoring as prescribed by law

According to Clause 2 of Article 18 of the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Law 84/2015/QH13, employers must organize occupational environment monitoring to assess harmful factors at least once a year.

f. Deadline for submitting occupational environment monitoring results as prescribed by law

The deadline for submission is before December 31 every year. Enterprises belonging to production facilities are required to submit occupational environment monitoring results reports to the Department of Health at the locality where their headquarters and employees are located.

When there are changes in technology processes, production processes, or when renovating or upgrading facilities that may generate new harmful factors to workers’ health, enterprises must update occupational hygiene records regarding harmful factors requiring occupational environment monitoring.

g. Penalties for violations of occupational environment monitoring for employers

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

• Clause 2: A fine from 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND for employers who do not publicly announce to workers at the occupational environment monitoring site and the inspected, assessed, and managed hazard areas immediately after receiving the monitoring and assessment results.
• Clause 3: A fine from 20,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND for employers who fail to conduct occupational environment monitoring to control impacts on workers’ health as prescribed by law.
• Clause 4: A fine from 40,000,000 – 60,000,000 VND for employers who collude with occupational environment monitoring organizations to commit fraud in monitoring activities but not to the extent of criminal prosecution.

3. Harmful environmental factors for workers working in industrial laundry workshops

Workers working in industrial laundry workshops may encounter the following harmful environmental factors:

• Chemicals: During the washing and cleaning process, industrial laundry workshops use detergents, bleaching agents, and fabric softeners. Exposure to these chemicals can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. The chemicals may contain carcinogenic substances or have long-term toxic effects.
• Dust: The process of handling laundry can generate dust from fabric, fine dust, and dust from machinery. Long-term exposure to dust can cause respiratory inflammation and other health problems.
• Temperature and humidity: Industrial laundry workshops may have hot and humid working environments. High temperature and high humidity environments can cause discomfort, fatigue, and health issues such as reduced work productivity, tiredness, and difficulty in breathing.
• Noise: Machinery in industrial laundry workshops generates continuous noise. Long-term exposure to noise can cause hearing problems, create stress, and affect general health.
• Toxins from detergents and waste: Waste treatment from the laundry process can generate toxic substances such as air and water pollutants. Exposure to these harmful substances can damage health and the environment.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

4. Measures to improve the working environment in industrial laundry workshops

To improve the working environment in industrial laundry workshops, the following measures can be applied:

• Ensure good ventilation: Provide sufficient fresh and cool airflow in the laundry workshop to reduce humidity and remove chemical odors. Fans, air conditioners, or effective ventilation systems can be used.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE): Ensure employees are fully equipped with PPE such as masks, protective glasses, gloves, raincoats, protective shoes to protect skin, eyes, and respiratory system from exposure to chemicals and dust.
• Training and guidance: Train employees on safe working procedures, proper use of protective equipment, and how to safely handle waste. Provide instructions on reading and understanding safety labels of chemicals used in the workshop.
• Regular inspection and maintenance: Inspect, maintain, and clean machinery and equipment in the laundry workshop regularly to ensure safe and efficient operation. This includes proper cleaning and maintenance, checking safety systems, and replacing damaged parts.
• Waste management: Ensure waste treatment from the laundry process complies with regulations and safety standards. Use effective waste treatment systems to reduce negative impacts on the environment and employee health.
• Create a comfortable working environment: Provide a spacious, comfortable, and safe working environment. Ensure sufficient natural or good artificial lighting, provide seating and break areas, and create comfortable working conditions with adjustable temperature and humidity.
• Regularly organize occupational environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, thereby adjusting and reducing risks to prevent occupational diseases for them.

5. Benefits of periodic monitoring of industrial laundry workshops

An Toan Nam Viet provides your enterprises with excellent benefits when using occupational environment monitoring services according to Decree 44/2016/ND – CP on the management and control of harmful factors in the working environment affecting workers.

• Your enterprise can proactively control harmful factors in workshops or factories
• Receive consultation and recommendations on measures to minimize harmful factors and improve the quality of the working environment.
• Indirectly protect human resources, the main factor in the development process of enterprises
• Minimize the impact of occupational diseases on human health, thereby reducing future medical treatment costs.
• Improved worker health leads to guaranteed and maintained product quality as well as production output.
• Comply with occupational safety laws, avoiding legal risks.
• Create credibility and professionalism in all aspects, thereby enhancing the brand value for your enterprise.

The occupational environment monitoring service of Nam Viet is the solution to minimize the impact of occupational diseases, contributing to creating a fresh and high-quality working environment.

6. National occupational environment monitoring center

Occupational environment monitoring center of Nam Viet is a professional unit in monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment throughout all provinces and cities in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.

In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports customers in planning, handling, and monitoring occupational environment issues. With the motto “customers are the center,” the center cares about customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for enterprises.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

With investment in technology, equipment, and human resources, the monitoring center of Nam Viet has been and is becoming one of the prestigious units in the field of occupational environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following goals:

• We always value brand reputation and the quality of our service products.
• We provide customers with the best and most suitable services possible.
• Together with a team of Masters and Engineers with experience and expertise, we aim to protect the environment and bring benefits to enterprises.
• By coming to the Occupational Environment Monitoring team of Nam Viet, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field, as well as the best cost advantages.

The process of performing occupational environment monitoring at Nam Viet includes the following basic steps:

• Before performing occupational environment monitoring, our company always ensures that machinery and equipment used for occupational environment monitoring are adjusted and calibrated in accordance with legal regulations.
• Carry out correctly and fully the occupational environment monitoring process committed to the Department of Health.
• Report occupational environment monitoring results honestly to employers.
• In case the occupational environment monitoring results do not ensure safety for workers, Nam Viet company will support by providing solutions for improvement, and the workplace will implement as follows:
  • Implement measures to improve working conditions to minimize the influence of harmful factors and prevent occupational diseases.
  • Organize medical examinations to detect occupational diseases and work-related illnesses early for workers in unsafe working environments.
  • Provide in-kind allowances for workers according to labor law regulations.

7. Quotation for occupational environment monitoring

To help enterprises carry out occupational environment monitoring in a professional and effective manner, Nam Viet provides customers with a quotation table for occupational environment monitoring services of quality and reasonable cost.

• Our quotation table provides detailed information on the prices of monitoring services we are offering. It also includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting results. Customers can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring reports we provide.
• We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are always ready to consult and answer all questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
• With the quotation table of Nam Viet, customers can easily choose service packages suitable for their needs. We are committed to bringing customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.