Occupational environment monitoring of a vegetable oil manufacturing factory

1. Overview of vegetable oil manufacturing factory

a. What is a vegetable oil manufacturing factory?

Factory manufacturing vegetable oil is a manufacturing facility specialized in processing seeds and fruits containing vegetable oil such as soybean, rapeseed, coconut, canola seed, palm kernel, peanut, etc. into vegetable oil. Vegetable oil is widely used in the food industry, food processing, and in detergent products, shampoos, cosmetics, biofuels, and other industrial products.

b. Manufacturing stages in vegetable oil manufacturing factory

The manufacturing stages in a vegetable oil manufacturing factory usually include:

• Pre-treatment: Seeds or fruits are cleaned, impurities removed, and seeds separated from shells or fruits.
• Grinding: Seeds are ground into seed powder.
• Cold pressing: Seed powder is pressed in a cold press machine to extract basic oil.
• Heat treatment: Oil is boiled to remove impurities and water.
• Oil separation: Oil is separated from impurities through processes such as filtering, separating, and washing.
• Refining: Oil is refined to remove remaining impurities and improve its quality.
• Packing: Oil is packed into bottles or barrels for transportation and use.

These stages may vary depending on the type of seed and processing method used.

c. Types of machinery used in vegetable oil manufacturing factory

The main types of machinery used in a vegetable oil manufacturing factory include:

• Seed cleaning machine: Used to remove impurities from seeds.
• Grinding machine: Used to grind seeds into powder.
• Cold press machine: Used to cold press seed powder to extract basic oil.
• Boiling machine: Used to boil oil to remove impurities and water.
• Filtering machine: Used to filter impurities from oil.
• Separation machine: Used to separate different substances such as oil and residue.
• Washing machine: Used to wash oil and remove remaining impurities.
• Refining machine: Used to refine oil and improve its quality.
• Packing machine: Used to pack oil into bottles or barrels.

These machines may be applied with different technologies to manufacture various types of vegetable oils.

d. What occupational diseases can workers in vegetable oil manufacturing factory suffer?

Workers in vegetable oil manufacturing factory may be exposed to many chemicals and harmful agents, which can lead to occupational diseases. Some common occupational diseases in the vegetable oil manufacturing industry include:

• Respiratory inflammation: Workers may inhale toxic fumes or dust, causing respiratory inflammation, difficulty breathing, and irritation.
• Skin allergies: Chemicals in the vegetable oil manufacturing process can cause skin allergies and itching.
• Eye diseases: Workers may be exposed to toxic fumes or dust, causing dry eyes, eye pain, and vision problems.
• Nervous system diseases: Prolonged exposure to toxic fumes in the vegetable oil manufacturing process can cause nervous system problems such as dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches, and fatigue.
• Liver diseases: Toxins in the vegetable oil manufacturing process can cause liver problems.

To prevent these occupational diseases, vegetable oil manufacturing factories need to implement safety measures and health protection for workers, including providing personal protective equipment, occupational safety training, pollution control, and ensuring workplace hygiene.

e. Popular types of vegetable oil on the market

Popular types of vegetable oil on the market include:

• Soybean oil: manufactured from soybeans and widely used in food processing, cooking, baking, and cosmetics.
• Rapeseed oil: manufactured from rapeseed, containing many Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids beneficial for health.
• Sunflower oil: manufactured from sunflower seeds and high in vitamin E.
• Palm oil: manufactured from palm fruits, with properties similar to soybean oil and commonly used in food and cosmetic manufacturing.
• Olive oil: manufactured from olives and widely used in food processing, cooking, cosmetics, and healthcare.
• Rice bran oil: manufactured from rice bran and used in food and cosmetic manufacturing.
• Coconut oil: manufactured from coconuts, with antioxidant and antibacterial properties, commonly used in cosmetic manufacturing and healthcare.

2. Overview of occupational environment monitoring services

a. What is occupational environment monitoring in vegetable oil manufacturing factory?

Occupational environment monitoring (or occupational environment measurement) in vegetable oil manufacturing factory is the activity of collecting, evaluating, and analyzing measurement indicators of occupational environmental factors at vegetable oil manufacturing factories, in order to take timely measures to reduce environmental impacts on workers’ health and prevent occupational diseases. Occupational environment monitoring is a mandatory regulation for vegetable oil manufacturing factories.

Occupational environment monitoring plays the most important role in taking care of, protecting, and improving workers’ health because the main resource of an enterprise and the direct creator of profit is the worker. Workers who are regularly exposed to hazardous factors and occupational risks exceeding permissible standards will suffer health impacts and occupational diseases.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

b. Occupational environment monitoring program of An Toan Nam Viet

The occupational environment monitoring program of An Toan Nam Viet is a program researched by monitoring engineers in the field of occupational safety and environmental protection. With the goal of ensuring workers’ health and safety, this program uses modern measurement methods to monitor air quality, water, and microclimate, physical, and dust factors in the occupational 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 An Toan Nam Viet also plays an important role in researching and developing new solutions to improve occupational environment quality. With the dedication and professionalism of the monitoring experts, An Toan Nam Viet’s exclusive monitoring program is becoming a breakthrough in occupational safety management and environmental protection in Vietnam.

c. Standardization in occupational environment measurement procedures

Standardization in occupational environment measurement procedures of An Toan Nam Viet is a very important aspect in ensuring the quality of measurement results. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results, this program applies standardized procedures and standards recognized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. This ensures that the collected data will be highly reliable for occupational environment assessment and decision-making on environment improvement to protect workers’ health.

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

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

d. Occupational environment monitoring report in vegetable oil manufacturing factory

Occupational environment monitoring results are prepared according to Form No. 04 Appendix III issued together with Decree 44/2016/ND-CP and are made into 02 copies: 01 copy sent to the labor facility that signed the occupational environment monitoring contract and 01 copy kept at the monitoring organization.

The retention period of occupational environment monitoring results is regulated by law as permanent record storage.

e. Frequency of occupational environment monitoring according to legal regulations

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

f. Deadline for submission of occupational environment monitoring results report according to legal regulations

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

When there are changes in technology processes, manufacturing processes, or when renovating and upgrading labor facilities that may generate new hazardous factors to workers’ health, enterprises belonging to manufacturing facilities must update occupational hygiene records related to harmful factors that require occupational environment monitoring.

g. Penalties for violations of occupational environment monitoring regulations for employers

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

• Clause 2: A fine of VND 2,000,000 – 5,000,000 for employers who do not publicly announce to workers at the place of occupational environment monitoring and at the place where dangerous factors are inspected, assessed, and managed immediately after the results of occupational environment monitoring and dangerous factors inspection, assessment, and management at the workplace are available.
• Clause 3: A fine of VND 20,000,000 – 40,000,000 for employers who fail to conduct occupational environment monitoring to control harm to workers’ health as prescribed by law.
• Clause 4: A fine of VND 40,000,000 – 60,000,000 for employers who collude with occupational environment monitoring organizations to commit fraud in occupational environment monitoring activities but not to the extent of criminal prosecution.

3. Harmful environmental factors for workers in vegetable oil manufacturing factories

Harmful environmental factors for workers in vegetable oil manufacturing factories include:

• Toxic gases: During the manufacturing process, toxic gases such as H2S, CO2, NH3 may be generated, posing risks to the health of employees working in the factory.
• Dust particles: The vegetable oil manufacturing process may also generate dust particles, especially during grinding and processing. These dust particles can cause respiratory problems for workers.
• Noise: Machines in vegetable oil manufacturing factories usually operate continuously and generate high noise levels, which may cause hearing problems for workers.
• Temperature: During manufacturing, the process of extracting essential oil from plant organs is performed at high temperatures, causing discomfort and fatigue for workers.
• Pressure: In the manufacturing process, distillation and fat separation may need to be performed under high pressure. The use of high pressure may cause health issues for employees working in the factory.
• Chemicals: In vegetable oil manufacturing, chemicals such as acids, alkalis, solvents, and additives may be used to separate and purify essential oils. These chemicals may cause skin and respiratory problems for workers.
• Humidity: The working environment in vegetable oil manufacturing factories may have high humidity, causing discomfort and affecting workers’ health.

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

4. Measures to improve the working environment in vegetable oil manufacturing factories

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

• Ensure ventilation and natural lighting: This helps improve comfort and health for employees, reduce humidity in the air, and prevent bacterial growth.
• Adjust humidity: Air humidity that is too low or too high causes discomfort for workers and may negatively affect health. Therefore, humidity control devices are needed in factories.
• Ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the factory: Equipment and machinery must be regularly maintained and cleaned to ensure safety and minimize the risk of diseases caused by contamination.
• Use protective equipment: Workers must use protective equipment such as masks, safety glasses, and protective clothing to protect the respiratory system, eyes, and skin from harmful substances during manufacturing.
• Conduct regular inspections: Air, soil, and water pollution levels at factories must be regularly checked to ensure employee health and safety.
• Employee training: Employees must be trained in occupational safety measures, the use of protective equipment, and handling hazardous substances to minimize the risk of occupational diseases.
• Periodically organize occupational environment monitoring in factories, collecting and analyzing harmful factors to workers, then adjusting to reduce risks and prevent occupational diseases.

5. Benefits of periodic monitoring in vegetable oil manufacturing factories

An Toan Nam Viet provides businesses 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.

• Businesses can proactively control harmful factors at workshops or factories.
• Receive advice and recommendations on measures to minimize harmful factors and improve the quality of the working environment.
• Indirectly protect human resources, the key factor in business development.
• Reduce the harmful effects of occupational diseases on human health, thereby reducing future treatment costs.
• Improved worker health leads to guaranteed and maintained product quality and output.
• Comply with occupational safety laws, avoiding legal risks.
• Create credibility and professionalism in all aspects, thereby enhancing the business brand.

The environmental monitoring service of Nam Viet is the solution to minimize the impact of occupational diseases, contributing to creating a healthy 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 occupational environment quality across all provinces and cities in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

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

REGISTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE

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

• We always value brand reputation and the quality of our services.
• We provide customers with the best and most suitable solutions.
• Together with a team of Masters and Engineers with expertise and experience, we aim to protect the environment and bring benefits to businesses.
• With Nam Viet’s occupational environment monitoring team, companies will receive professional services from specialists in the field and enjoy the best cost benefits.

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

• Before implementing occupational environment monitoring, our company always ensures that monitoring machinery and equipment are adjusted and calibrated in accordance with the law.
• Strictly and fully implement the occupational environment monitoring process committed to the Department of Health.
• Honestly report occupational environment monitoring results to employers.
• In cases where occupational environment monitoring results do not ensure worker safety, Nam Viet will support in providing corrective solutions and the workplace will implement as follows:
  • Implement measures to improve working conditions to minimize the impact of harmful factors and prevent occupational diseases.
  • Organize health examinations to detect occupational diseases and related illnesses early for workers in unsafe environments.
  • Provide physical benefits to workers as prescribed by labor laws.

7. Occupational environment monitoring service quotation

To help businesses implement occupational environment monitoring in a professional and effective way, Nam Viet provides customers with a service quotation for occupational environment monitoring with quality and reasonable costs.

• Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information about the prices of monitoring services we offer, including costs related to transportation, measurement, analysis, and reporting of 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 in the market, and we are always ready to provide quick and professional consultation to answer all inquiries about monitoring services.
• With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, customers can easily choose service packages suitable for their needs. We are committed to bringing customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.