Occupational Safety Training Materials for Group 4

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THE DOCUMENT ON GROUP 4 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING (English version)

The documents for the Occupational Safety Training Group 4 were compiled by the lecturers of An Toàn Nam Việt according to the framework program stipulated in Article 18 of Decree 44/2016/ND-CP and amended by Decree 140/2018/ND-CP.

See more details about the Group 4 occupational safety training program here.

1. BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HAZARDOUS AND HARMFUL FACTORS AT THE WORKPLACE

a. Concept of the working environment, its elements, and its effects on workers in Group 4 occupational safety training

1. Concept of the working environment.

The environment is the combination of all natural and social factors surrounding humans. Elements of the working environment:

1. • Temperature & humidity;
   • Noise;
   • Toxic substances;
   • Radiation and light;
   • Dust.
2. Effects of the working environment on workers:
   • Maximum allowable temperature & humidity in the workplace: 32^°C and 80%. Indoor air in industrial facilities is usually 1.5–6°C higher than outside (textile, leather, mechanical, electrical industries) and humidity often exceeds 75% (seafood processing, beer production, printing, metal plating, etc.). High heat and humidity can cause discomfort, fatigue, and reduced productivity. Prolonged exposure may lead to heat regulation disorders, heat stroke, electrolyte loss, excessive sweating, headaches, vomiting, muscle cramps.
   • High humidity increases susceptibility to illness and heat loss.
   • Humans can hear sounds from 16 to 20,000 Hz, best between 500–4,000 Hz. In Vietnam, the maximum noise standard for an 8-hour workday is 85 dBA.
   • Excessive industrial noise above 85 dBA for more than 3 months may cause occupational diseases, psychological fatigue, reduced productivity, and potential accidents.
   • Toxic substances: Acetone, mercury, lead, exhaust gases, etc.
   • Radiation and light (affecting skin and eyes)
   • Dust (causing respiratory diseases, poisoning, etc.)

b. Concept of working conditions, elements of working conditions, and effects on workers’ health in Group 4 occupational safety training

1. Concept of working conditions:
   • Working conditions are the combination of natural, technical, and socio-economic factors represented through tools, equipment, work objects, technology, the working environment, layout, and their interactions, creating certain conditions for workers. Working conditions affect health and life.
   • Tools and equipment may facilitate or hinder workers. Factors include electricity, explosives, radiation, etc. Impacts also depend on technological processes, production level, and working environment. Comfort or hazardous conditions strongly affect workers’ health.
2. Effects of working conditions on workers’ health

In specific working conditions, harmful factors may appear that can cause accidents or occupational diseases. These include:

• • Physical factors: temperature, humidity, noise, vibration, harmful radiation, dust.
  • Chemical factors: toxic chemicals, vapors, gases, radioactive substances.
  • Biological factors: bacteria, viruses, parasites, insects, snakes.
  • Ergonomic and spatial factors: awkward postures, cramped or unsanitary workplaces.
  • Psychological factors: stress, monotony, etc.

c. Hazardous factors causing accidents, their causes, and preventive measures in Group 4 occupational safety training

1. Hazardous factors causing accidents in Group 4 occupational safety training:

These are poor working conditions that can lead to workplace accidents, including:

• • a) Heat sources:
    • Workers operating in high-temperature environments, e.g., furnaces, molten metals, cooking areas.
    • Exposure causes fatigue, discomfort, poor appetite, nervous tension, and impaired concentration.
  • b) Electricity:
    • Exposure to electrical sources can cause shocks, burns, electromagnetic hazards, affecting respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
  • c) Falling or collapsing objects:
    • Unstable materials, e.g., furnace collapses, falling objects in construction or mining, collapsing walls or structures.
  • d) Flying objects:
    • Particles from machinery, grinding, cutting, chiseling, stone flying during blasting.

1. Causes and preventive measures:
   • Causes:
     • a) Technical causes:
       • Technological processes contain hazards: moving parts, dust, noise, etc.
       • Poor design, low durability, lack of safety signals, overload prevention (safety valves, brakes), improper lighting, excessive noise/vibration.
       • Non-mechanized or unsafe manual operations.
       • Non-compliance with safety regulations: untested pressure devices, improper use of PPE.

• • • b) Management and organizational causes:
      • Poor workspace layout and difficult postures.
      • Improper recruitment, assignment, training, and education.
  • Basic safety measures and equipment:
    • a) Personal safety measures:
      • Follow correct postures and safety principles, avoid dangerous bending or twisting positions.
      • Ensure adequate workspace and ergonomic interaction with machinery.
      • Maintain visual, auditory, and tactile conditions.
      • Maintain psychological well-being, avoid overload or monotony.
    • b) Safety shielding measures.

Safety shields isolate workers from hazardous areas such as high-voltage zones, moving parts, or fall-prone areas. Requirements for shields include:

• Prevent harmful effects during production.
• Not hinder or discomfort workers.
• Do not reduce productivity. Types: shield moving parts, electrical parts, radiation sources, pits/working at heights, fixed or temporary shields.

• c) Use of preventive devices and mechanisms:
  • Purpose: prevent hazards from production failures. Devices act automatically when limits are exceeded. They must be correctly designed, manufactured, and used safely.
  • Types:
    • Self-resetting systems (e.g., safety valves, thermal relays).
    • Replaceable systems (e.g., fuses, pins).
• d) Use of safety signals and signs:
  • Purpose: warn of hazards, guide actions, convey safety regulations via colors and symbols.
  • Types: lights, colors, sounds, signs, gauges.
  • Requirements: easily recognizable, reliable, clear, conform to standards.
• e) Maintain safe distances and dimensions:
  • Safe distance: minimum space between workers and equipment or between objects to avoid hazards, e.g., electrical lines, explosives, machines, radiation.
  • Depends on technology and equipment.
• f) Mechanization, automation, and remote control:
  • Purpose: remove workers from hazardous areas and improve productivity using machinery and remote operations.
• g) Personal protective equipment (PPE):
  • PPE provides additional protection, especially when other measures are insufficient.
  • Types include eye protection (glasses), respiratory protection (masks, breathing apparatus), hearing protection (earplugs, earmuffs), head/hand/foot protection (helmets, gloves, shoes), and protective clothing against heat, chemicals, radiation, or pressure.
  • PPE must meet national standards, be properly issued and inspected.
• h) Preventive equipment testing:
  • Test durability and reliability of machinery, equipment, and components before use. Purpose: assess quality and decide usability. Conduct regularly or after maintenance.

d. Concept of Occupational Diseases, Causes, and Preventive Measures in Group 4 Occupational Safety Training Materials

1. Concept and Classification of Occupational Diseases in Group 4 Safety Training Materials
   • Concept:
     • Occupational diseases are illnesses that arise due to the frequent and prolonged exposure of workers to harmful factors occurring in the workplace. These are pathological conditions that are characteristic of, or related to, a particular occupation.
   • List of occupational diseases covered by insurance and guidance for diagnosis and assessment:
     • Occupational silicosis.
     • Occupational asbestosis.
     • Occupational cotton dust disease.
     • Occupational talc pneumoconiosis.
     • Occupational coal worker’s pneumoconiosis.
     • Occupational chronic bronchitis.
     • Occupational asthma.
     • Occupational lead poisoning.
     • Occupational benzene and homologues poisoning.
     • Occupational mercury poisoning.
     • Occupational manganese poisoning.
     • Occupational trinitrotoluene (TNT) poisoning.
     • Occupational arsenic poisoning.
     • Occupational pesticide poisoning.
     • Occupational nicotine poisoning.
     • Occupational carbon monoxide poisoning.
     • Occupational cadmium poisoning.
     • Occupational noise-induced hearing loss.
     • Occupational decompression sickness.
     • Occupational whole-body vibration disease.
     • Occupational localized vibration disease.
     • Occupational radiation disease.
     • Occupational cataracts.
     • Occupational oil spot disease.
     • Occupational skin darkening.
     • Occupational chromium-induced contact dermatitis.
     • Occupational skin disease from prolonged exposure to damp and cold environments.
     • Occupational skin disease from exposure to natural rubber and rubber additives.
     • Occupational leptospirosis.
     • Occupational hepatitis B virus infection.
     • Occupational tuberculosis.
     • Occupational HIV infection due to workplace accidents.
     • Occupational hepatitis C virus infection.
     • Occupational mesothelioma.
2. Causes and Preventive Measures in Group 4 Safety Training Materials

• • Characteristics of causes.
    • Because multiple harmful factors in the work environment affect the human body, occupational diseases are often complex. One cause can lead to various syndromes; for example, lead can cause anemia and autonomic nervous system disorders. Conversely, a single syndrome may result from different causes; for instance, benzene, lead, and arsenic can all cause anemia and body weakness, though through different mechanisms.
  • Preventive measures.

To protect and enhance workers’ health and prevent occupational hazards, the following priorities should be considered:

• • • Technical improvements

Technical improvements include advancements in production, automation, and mechanization, which not only reduce labor intensity but also shorten exposure time to occupational hazards. Globally, experts consider this the primary focus because it proactively minimizes hazards at the source.

• • • Rational labor organization

Rational labor organization involves assigning tasks in accordance with workers’ anatomical and psychophysiological characteristics, regulating labor intensity, and ensuring reasonable work-rest schedules. For example, machinery suited to body dimensions, balanced muscle group activity, and proper work duration in different environments increase productivity and reduce occupational disorders.

• • • Worker health recovery measures

After a work session, workers’ bodies need recovery to restore physiological and biochemical balance. Health recovery measures include proper nutrition, rest, recreational activities, and functional rehabilitation exercises.
Mental activities also significantly contribute to improving workers’ health. Finally, attention to health check-ups, early detection of occupational disorders, and preventive care for everyone gradually improves and enhances workers’ health effectively.

e. Concept of Safety Engineering, Basic Contents of Safety Engineering Work, and Its Impact on Occupational Safety and Hygiene in Group 4 Training Materials

1. Concept of Safety Engineering in Group 4 Training Materials
   • Safety engineering is a system of measures and technical organization tools designed to prevent the impact of hazardous factors in production on workers. To achieve this, preventive measures must be integrated from the design, construction, or fabrication of machinery, equipment, and technological processes. During production operations, adaptive safety equipment must be synchronously applied.
   • All these measures are specifically regulated in safety standards and other legal documents on safety engineering.
2. Basic contents of safety engineering work.
   • Main aspects of safety engineering include:
     • Identifying hazardous zones.
     • Determining management, organizational, and operational measures to ensure safety.
     • Using adaptive safety equipment: guards, preventive devices, protective devices, signals, indicators, and personal protective equipment.
3. Impact of safety engineering work on occupational safety and hygiene in Group 4 training materials.
   • Safety engineering plays a crucial role in occupational safety and hygiene. It provides the basis for developing measures and solutions to prevent harmful factors in production from affecting workers. Additionally, it helps establish permissible limits for specific jobs to ensure safety and hygiene.
4. Relationship and influence of safety engineering on occupational safety and hygiene.
   • Safety engineering is closely related to occupational safety and hygiene. It requires employers, when designing or constructing facilities, to comply with regulations to ensure absolute safety for personnel and equipment. Designers must implement specific safety measures for each task. However, technological advancements, market competition, and changing work conditions can outpace legal regulations. Therefore, the International Labour Organization (ILO) issued Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems.
   • These guidelines are highly feasible and flexible, promoting occupational safety and developing a safety culture at the workplace.
   • Occupational safety has key characteristics: it is not legally mandatory, does not replace laws, regulations, or national standards.
   • With such feasibility and flexibility, occupational safety and hygiene serve as effective tools to help employers and workers promptly respond to changes in workplace safety, supporting continuous improvement in working conditions and management practices.

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2. METHODS TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS IN GROUP 4 SAFETY TRAINING MATERIALS

a. Hazardous and Harmful Factors When Performing Work in Group 4 Safety Training Materials

• Identifying hazardous and harmful factors.
  • During labor, whether manual or mechanized/automated, hazardous factors may arise. These factors affect the human body and, depending on type and intensity, can cause injuries, death, or occupational diseases.
  • To assess hazardous and harmful factors in production, managers must understand and comply with occupational safety and hygiene standards and regulations relevant to the enterprise and workers’ tasks.
  • Concept of Working Conditions (WC).
    • Working conditions encompass all technical, organizational, economic, social, and natural factors, expressed through technological processes, labor tools, work objects, workers’ capabilities, and their interactions, shaping the human working environment.
    • Working conditions in an enterprise are evaluated mainly by:
      • The safety status of technological processes and machinery/equipment used in production.
      • Labor organization, including workforce usage, work intensity, posture and position during tasks, and mental stress.
      • Overall workforce competence, demonstrated by job skill and ability to recognize and prevent hazards.
      • Workshop conditions, including compliance with construction design, fire safety, machine layout, and industrial hygiene standards.
    • If working condition indicators do not comply with occupational safety and hygiene standards, negative impacts on workers may occur (accidents, occupational diseases), reducing productivity and production efficiency.
  • Hazardous factors
    • Hazardous factors are often present in areas such as:
      • Use of mechanical machinery
      • Electrical installation, repair, and use
      • Installation, repair, and use of pressure equipment
      • Installation, repair, and use of lifting equipment
      • Machine assembly and construction
      • Metallurgical industry
      • Chemical use and storage
      • Mining
      • Oil and gas exploration
    • In production, hazardous factors are generally regulated in safety standards. These hazards mainly result from violating safety regulations or lack of occupational safety training during work.
    • Hazardous factors in production can cause injuries, crush injuries, or severe bodily harm, potentially resulting in immediate accidents or fatalities. Common hazards include:
      • Machine drives and moving parts
      • Flying objects
      • Falling or collapsing objects
      • Slips and falls
      • Electric current
      • Heat sources
      • Chemical explosions
      • Physical explosions
      • Explosive materials
  • Harmful factors.
    • These factors arise in production and, when exceeding human tolerance, damage body functions and reduce work capacity. Their effects are gradual and prolonged, often leading to occupational diseases. Common harmful factors include:
      • Microclimate
      • Industrial dust
      • Toxic substances
      • Lighting
      • Noise
      • Vibration and shocks
      • Overwork

  b. Characteristics, Causes, and Impacts of Hazardous and Harmful Factors on Workers in Group 4 Occupational Safety Training Materials

  • Characteristics, causes, and impacts of hazardous factors
    • Machine drives and movements: such as belt drives, gear drives, transmission shafts, rolling shafts, cutting tools, which often cause accidents like entanglement, amputations, etc.
    • Flying objects: Common cases include workpieces not properly clamped being ejected, broken grinding stones, wood striking back, rocks flying during blasting, usually causing injuries such as crushing or trauma.
    • Falling, collapsing objects: Usually result from unstable or insecure materials, such as furnace collapses or construction failures, often causing crushing injuries or trauma.
    • Electric current: Depending on voltage and current, it can cause electric shock, respiratory or cardiovascular paralysis, or electrical discharge causing burns and fire.
    • Heat sources: Can cause burns from flames, steam, or molten metals.
    • Chemical explosions:
      • Chemical reactions of substances accompanied by rapid heat and gas release create high pressure, causing explosions that destroy barriers and harm people within the blast radius.
      • Explosive chemicals include flammable gases and dust. When mixed with air at certain ratios and exposed to ignition, they can explode. Each flammable gas can explode only at specific air mixtures. The wider the explosive range, the greater the chemical explosion hazard. For example, acetylene has an explosive range of 3.5–82% by volume, while ammonia has 17–25% by volume.
  • • Physical explosions:
      • In practice, pressurized equipment may explode when the internal pressure exceeds the design limit, or due to cracks, dents, corrosion from prolonged use, or lack of inspection.
      • Explosions generate high energy, destroying barriers and causing accidents to people nearby.
    • Explosives:
      • Explosives release high energy upon detonation, causing shrapnel, shock, and blast waves within a certain radius.

  

  • Characteristics, causes, and impacts of harmful factors on workers.
    • Microclimate: Refers to the physical conditions of air in a confined workspace, including temperature, humidity, heat radiation, and air movement. These factors must remain within certain limits, suitable for human psychophysiological characteristics. Exceeding these limits constitutes an unfavorable microclimate, affecting workers’ psychology, health, and productivity.
    • Industrial dust: Composed of fine particles suspended in the air. The most dangerous dust is 0.5–5 µm in size; inhalation can result in 70–80% of particles reaching the lungs and causing pneumoconiosis or lung damage.
    • Toxic substances: Most chemicals used in industry, agriculture, and various production processes are harmful to humans. They may be in liquid, solid, or gaseous form and enter the body via inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Exceeding the human tolerance limit can lead to chronic occupational diseases or, in acute cases, death.
    • Lighting: Both excessive and insufficient illumination can cause eye-related disorders, reduce work efficiency, and increase the risk of workplace accidents.
    • Noise: Sound causing discomfort from machine movements, collisions, etc. Excessive noise can result in occupational deafness.
    • Vibration and shock: Two types—whole-body and localized. Whole-body vibration occurs when workers stand or sit on vibrating platforms or floors. Localized vibration occurs when a body part contacts vibrating hand tools or machinery, causing damage to bones, joints, and cardiovascular health. Excessive exposure can lead to occupational diseases.
    • Overwork: Exceeding the body’s endurance can harm the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, cause fatigue, reduce focus, and increase accident risk, potentially leading to stroke.

   

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  3. RISK ASSESSMENT OF HAZARDOUS AND HARMFUL FACTORS DURING WORK OR OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT REQUIRING STRICT OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN GROUP 4 TRAINING MATERIALS

  Risk assessment and management of hazardous factors is a continuous process through on-site inspections and learning from accidents or incidents occurring within the company or similar industries, analyzing causes to implement preventive measures. Assessment must be conducted regularly and consider the role of occupational safety in economic and social development.
  Occupational safety policy planning must be based on the evaluation and management of hazardous and harmful factors in production.

  It is particularly important to assess the impact of hazards on people, property, and the environment to determine production measures, mitigation, and control.

  a. Requirements for assessing hazardous and harmful factors in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Ensure comprehensive review of all production areas under management to identify risks.
  • Establish control and preventive measures for risks in all production areas.
  • Leadership at all levels is responsible for risk management and preparing technical and material conditions to handle hazardous factors.

  b. Main content of assessment and management of hazardous and harmful factors in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Identify hazards.
  • Assess the impact of hazardous factors on humans, property, and the environment.
  • Determine production measures to minimize risks.
  • Evaluate implementation of measures.
  • Control to ensure hazards remain within acceptable limits.

  Identified hazards must be classified by likelihood and consequence to specify mitigation measures; different risk types require different management approaches.
  

  

  c. Common hazards in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Risks to workers at their workplaces
    • Working at heights.
    • Working in confined underground spaces.
    • Working in areas with high risk of toxicity, fire, or explosion.
  • Risks to the general working environment
    • Failure to provide professional and occupational safety training before assigning tasks.
    • Poorly organized production.
    • No safety measures during construction.
    • Failure to provide personal protective equipment.
    • Failure to implement state regulations on occupational safety to ensure safe working conditions.
  • Risks to equipment, facilities, and assets
    • Incorrect technology selection can lead to risks.
    • Incomplete technical equipment, lack of safety devices, or lack of periodic inspection can also cause risks.

  d. Necessary factors to ensure effective implementation and management of hazardous and harmful factors in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Regularly review and evaluate risk management and its results for continuous improvement.
  • Facilitate two-way communication with workers and stakeholders on occupational safety issues, encouraging sharing of safety lessons within and outside the company.
  • Top management is responsible for ensuring unified risk management principles across all activities, avoiding conflicts between roles and responsibilities of individuals or departments.

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  4. MEASURES TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS IN THE WORKPLACE IN GROUP 4 SAFETY TRAINING MATERIALS

  a. Addressing unfavorable microclimate in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Mechanization and automation.
  • Use natural or forced ventilation (fans, etc.) to improve airflow and regulate temperature.
  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • Provide shelters to protect from cold, rain, and sun for outdoor tasks.

  b. Dust control in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Implement measures to reduce dust at its source, spray water to lower airborne dust, use dust extraction systems, especially for dust causing pneumoconiosis.
  • Enhance industrial hygiene with vacuum systems, particularly for dust prone to fire or explosion.
  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment.

  c. Noise and vibration control in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Ensure regulated distance from noise sources to workers.
  • Reduce noise at the source, e.g., install quality machinery, follow maintenance schedules.
  • Apply isolation, noise and vibration absorption measures, such as soundproof enclosures, hoods, acoustic booths, or greenery.
  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment.

  

  d. Proper lighting in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Ensure general and local lighting standards for specific work tasks.

  e. Radiation protection in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Organize workplaces reasonably, follow regulations for labeling, storage, transport, and use of radioactive substances.
  • Apply safety measures for sealed sources: shielding, avoid direct exposure, increase safety distance, minimize exposure time.
  • Apply safety measures for open sources: prevent radioactive materials from entering the body, check for exposure, perform timely decontamination, and use fume hoods.
  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment.

  f. Measures for production and labor organization in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Arrange factory layout, walkways, transport paths, semi-finished and finished product areas logically. Ensure sufficient workspace for each worker.
  • Maintain workplace hygiene.
  • Implement waste and wastewater treatment measures.
  • Organize working and rest hours reasonably.
  • Provide health care, allowances, and rest for workers.

  g. Measures for workers’ psychological and physiological well-being in Group 4 safety training materials

  • Machines and equipment must suit workers’ bodies, avoiding excessive strain, rapid pace, or awkward movements.
  • Build harmonious, cooperative labor relationships for enterprise development. Consider electromagnetic fields from radio frequencies. Many machines generate electromagnetic fields used in various sectors:
    • Information: radio and television.
    • Industry: metal heating and tempering.
    • Military: radar machines.
    • Medical: diagnosis and treatment devices.
  • Consumer: microwave ovens.
  • Precautionary measures:
    • Reduce energy intensity and density using loads, absorption, shielding, safe distance, proper equipment arrangement, signaling devices, full use of PPE, organize working and rest hours, increase environmental checks, and monitor workers’ health.

   

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  5. SAFETY CULTURE IN PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS IN GROUP 4 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING MATERIALS

  a. Safety Culture in Labor in Group 4 Occupational Safety Training Materials

  The concept of safety culture, known in English as “Safety Culture,” has existed worldwide for decades. Many countries and authors have provided different definitions, but all generally refer to the humanitarian significance, attitudes, and behavior in effectively managing occupational safety and hygiene. By June 2003, at the International Labour Conference, the issue of safety culture was fully and systematically addressed.
  Safety culture is understood as a culture in which workers’ right to a safe and hygienic working environment is highly valued by all sectors and levels. It is a culture in which governments, authorities, employers, and employees, through a system of rights, responsibilities, and obligations, actively participate in ensuring a safe and hygienic work environment; it is a culture where the principle of prevention is prioritized.

  In other words, with the perspective: “The only national asset is human,” valuing people in the production process, all authorities, organizations, and individuals, within their responsibilities, rights, and obligations, must proactively and actively prevent risks, ensure, and build a safe, hygienic, and comfortable working environment for employees. Workers are continuously protected from occupational accidents and occupational diseases, respected, able to enjoy the results of their labor, and actively contribute to improving workplace culture. This represents an occupational safety and hygiene endeavor with a high level of humanism.

  According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), occupational safety culture consists of three elements: a comprehensive legal system of the state; enterprises complying with the law and creating optimal conditions to implement occupational safety processes and standards; and employees’ self-awareness and proactive attitude in protecting themselves.

  Thus, occupational safety culture can be considered an inseparable part of corporate culture. As mentioned above, corporate culture includes legal and ethical elements. The legal element refers to the comprehensive legal system of the state, which includes regulations for occupational safety processes and standards. The ethical element refers to the employer’s conscience toward employees, demonstrated through strict adherence to occupational safety procedures and standards and caring for employees’ well-being and relationship with the enterprise. “Countries around the world increasingly emphasize occupational safety, hygiene, and corporate environmental responsibility. Therefore, “social responsibility standards” and “codes of conduct” (COC) have been introduced, sharing three common points: caring for workers’ health, ensuring safe and hygienic working conditions, and protecting the environment. Any product violating one of these points is considered ‘unclean’ and is boycotted globally.”

  Therefore, establishing a strong occupational safety culture within a company today is an essential requirement. This is not an easy task and requires proper and deep awareness from the business leadership. In Vietnam, many enterprises still do not prioritize this issue, focusing instead solely on maximizing profits, as their leaders lack awareness of corporate culture, business culture, and occupational safety culture in sustainable development. Hence, currently and in the coming years, promoting, educating, and establishing standards for business culture is extremely necessary to develop a capable Vietnamese business community with global potential.

  Implementing safety culture in the integration era helps companies create a good working environment, ensuring occupational safety and hygiene, and fostering a healthy, cheerful cultural environment for workers to produce with peace of mind. This stability brings great benefits to the business, including consumer trust, partner reliability, and especially creating a favorable environment for investors and partners to confidently cooperate, supporting sustainable business development.

  Building and maintaining a preventive safety and hygiene culture requires utilizing all available means to enhance understanding, knowledge, and awareness of hazards, risks, and preventive and control measures. No matter how well a business operates, it should always seek ways to improve further. This process includes improving existing systems and processes and applying new technologies for the benefit of everyone.

  

  b. How to Achieve Occupational Safety Culture?

  Governments are responsible for developing and implementing a strict national policy on occupational safety and hygiene to promote a preventive culture among all citizens from an early age, beginning with education.
  Employers have the responsibility to commit to providing a safe and hygienic working environment by establishing occupational safety and hygiene management systems based on the ILO Guidelines on ILO-OSH 2001.

  These guidelines indicate that:

  Occupational safety and hygiene, including compliance with national laws and regulations on occupational safety and hygiene, is the responsibility and duty of the employer. Employers must direct and commit to occupational safety and hygiene activities within the enterprise and make appropriate organizational arrangements to establish a safety and hygiene management system.

  Workers are responsible for cooperating with their employers to create and maintain a preventive culture in the workplace and actively participate in the enterprise’s occupational safety and hygiene management system. They should be advised, informed, and trained on all occupational safety and hygiene matters and have the time and resources to actively engage, for example, in safety and hygiene committees. As the ILO-OSH Guidelines state:

  Worker participation is a crucial factor in an organization’s occupational safety and hygiene management system.

  The ILO – the only organization worldwide that brings together governments, employers, and workers while treating all parties fairly – has been tasked with influencing the global occupational safety and hygiene agenda. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan wrote:

  The safety and health of workers are part of and a gift to human security. As the leading UN agency protecting workers’ rights, the ILO has always pioneered and implemented initiatives to promote workplace safety and hygiene. Safety at work is not only a major economic policy but also a fundamental human right.

  • Levels of Safety Culture

  A company’s safety culture can be categorized as follows:
  Poor: Companies where safety responsibilities are unclear, and safety exists only formally. Safety regulations are neither widely disseminated nor followed; those responsible say one thing but do another. Safety violations either face punishment or are concealed and not reported to stakeholders.

  Reactive: In Vietnamese terms, “building the barn after losing the cow,” a slightly higher level of safety culture. Deficiencies and gaps in safety are addressed only locally after an incident occurs, without resolving systemic issues.

  Proactive: Safety culture is deeply embedded in the company’s operations. The company has an actively applied safety management system in daily activities. The workforce and management possess a deep understanding of technological and personal safety. Every action by individuals and the company reflects the safety culture. For example, the factory accepts potential production loss when performing periodic emergency valve tests for maintenance purposes.

  • Building Safety Culture

  To establish a safety culture, attention must be given to both individual and corporate safety culture. Individual safety culture is influenced by many factors: profession, country, region, family, etc. Professionally, individual safety culture is primarily reinforced through company-wide safety policies, behavioral requirements for members, safety campaigns, training programs, and significantly by the attitudes of those responsible for safety. As many sociologists have analyzed, a person’s culture is shaped by numerous factors over a long period, so changing it is not an easy task to accomplish overnight. Safety culture is part of the broader culture and is no exception. Vietnam, in its unique development phase, has distinct characteristics regarding general culture and safety culture, among others.

  c. Trends in Building Occupational Safety Culture in Enterprises in Group 4 Occupational Safety Training Materials

  According to international integration trends, a company is considered to have a competitive advantage and many potential growth opportunities when, besides current machinery and equipment, it ensures occupational safety and always prioritizes the safety of its workforce. Experience from developed countries shows that building occupational safety culture is one of the key criteria for a company to exist and develop sustainably.
   

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  6. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS; POLICIES AND REGULATIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HYGIENE FOR WORKERS; FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF SAFETY AND HYGIENE NETWORKS.

  a. Rights and Duties of Employers: Article 7, Law No. 84/2015/QH13

  1. Employers have the following rights:
     • a) Require workers to comply with workplace rules, procedures, and measures ensuring occupational safety and hygiene;
     • b) Reward workers who comply well and discipline those who violate occupational safety and hygiene regulations;
     • c) Lodge complaints, denunciations, or initiate legal proceedings in accordance with the law;
     • d) Mobilize workers to participate in emergency response, incident handling, and occupational accident recovery.
  2. Employers have the following duties:
     • a) Develop, organize, implement, and proactively coordinate with agencies and organizations to ensure occupational safety and hygiene in the workplace within their scope of responsibility for employees and relevant persons; provide occupational accident and disease insurance for employees;
     • b) Organize training and guidance on regulations, rules, procedures, and measures ensuring occupational safety and hygiene; equip full labor tools and equipment that ensure occupational safety and hygiene; provide health care and occupational disease screening; fully implement regimes for employees suffering occupational accidents or diseases;
     • c) Not compel workers to continue working or return to workplaces where there is a serious risk of occupational accidents or threats to their health;
     • d) Appoint personnel to supervise and inspect compliance with rules, procedures, and measures ensuring occupational safety and hygiene at the workplace in accordance with the law;
     • e) Arrange departments or personnel for occupational safety and hygiene; coordinate with the grassroots trade union executive committee to establish safety and hygiene networks; assign responsibilities and authority regarding occupational safety and hygiene work;
     • f) Carry out reporting, investigation, statistics, and reporting of occupational accidents, occupational diseases, and technical incidents causing serious safety and hygiene hazards; report on occupational safety and hygiene activities; comply with decisions of specialized labor safety inspectors;
     • g) Obtain opinions from the grassroots trade union executive committee when developing plans, rules, procedures, and measures to ensure occupational safety and hygiene.

  b. Rights and Duties of Workers Regarding Occupational Safety and Hygiene: Article 6, Law No. 84/2015/QH13

  1. Workers employed under labor contracts have the following rights:
     • a) Be ensured fair, safe, and hygienic working conditions; require the employer to ensure occupational safety and hygiene during work;
     • b) Be provided with full information about hazards and harmful factors in the workplace and preventive measures; receive training on occupational safety and hygiene;
     • c) Receive occupational protection, health care, and screening for occupational diseases; have employers pay occupational accident and disease insurance; enjoy full benefits in case of occupational accidents or diseases; have costs for disability or disease assessments covered; proactively undergo assessments to adjust compensation levels if conditions are met;
     • d) Request suitable job assignments after recovery from occupational accidents or diseases;
     • e) Refuse to perform work or leave the workplace while still receiving full pay and without disciplinary action if facing serious risk to life or health, provided they immediately report to direct management for handling; only continue work when risks are mitigated by management and occupational safety personnel;
     • f) Lodge complaints, denunciations, or initiate legal proceedings in accordance with the law.
  2. Workers employed under labor contracts have the following duties:
     • a) Comply with rules, procedures, and measures ensuring occupational safety and hygiene at the workplace; follow safety provisions in labor contracts and collective labor agreements;
     • b) Use and maintain provided personal protective equipment and safety devices at the workplace;
     • c) Timely report to responsible persons upon detecting risks of technical incidents, occupational accidents, or diseases; actively participate in emergency response and incident handling as instructed by the employer or authorized authorities.
  3. Workers not under labor contracts have the following rights:
     • a) Work under safe and hygienic conditions, supported by the state, society, and family;
     • b) Receive information, education, and training on occupational safety and hygiene, especially when performing tasks with strict safety requirements;
     • c) Participate in and enjoy occupational accident insurance voluntarily regulated by the government;
     • d) According to socio-economic development and state budget capabilities, the government will detail support for voluntary occupational accident insurance contributions;
     • e) Lodge complaints, denunciations, or initiate legal proceedings as per the law.
  4. Workers not under labor contracts have the following duties:
     • a) Ensure occupational safety and hygiene in the work they perform according to the law;
     • b) Ensure the safety and hygiene of others involved in their work;
     • c) Notify local authorities to promptly prevent unsafe or unhygienic practices.
  5. Civil servants, public employees, and members of the armed forces have rights and duties regarding occupational safety and hygiene as prescribed for workers in clauses 1 and 2, except where specific legal documents provide otherwise.
  6. Apprentices and trainees working for an employer have rights and duties regarding occupational safety and hygiene as prescribed for workers in clauses 1 and 2.
  7. Foreign workers in Vietnam have rights and duties regarding occupational safety and hygiene as prescribed for workers in clauses 1 and 2; participation in occupational accident and disease insurance is implemented according to government regulations.

  

  c. Policies and Regimes on Occupational Safety and Hygiene for Workers – Law No. 84/2015/QH13:

  Article 21. Health Check-ups and Treatment of Occupational Diseases for Workers

  1. Employers must organize at least one health check-up per year for workers; for workers in heavy, hazardous, or particularly heavy and hazardous jobs, disabled workers, underage workers, or elderly workers, health check-ups must be conducted at least every six months.
  2. During health check-ups as stipulated in Clause 1, female workers must receive gynecological examinations; workers exposed to occupational hazards must undergo screenings for occupational diseases.
  3. Employers must organize health check-ups before assigning workers to work and before transferring them to heavier, more hazardous jobs, or after recovery from occupational accidents or diseases, except in cases where the Medical Council has already assessed the degree of work capacity loss.
  4. Health check-ups and occupational disease screenings must be conducted at medical facilities meeting professional and technical standards.
  5. Employers must send workers diagnosed with occupational diseases to qualified medical facilities for treatment according to protocols prescribed by the Ministry of Health.
  6. Costs for health check-ups, occupational disease screenings, and treatment are borne by the employer and can be accounted as deductible expenses for corporate income tax purposes and as regular operating expenses for administrative agencies or non-commercial units.

  Article 22. Heavy, Hazardous, and Dangerous Occupations

  1. Heavy, hazardous, and dangerous occupations, including particularly heavy and hazardous jobs, are classified based on the characteristics and labor conditions of each occupation.
  2. The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall issue a list of heavy, hazardous, and dangerous occupations after consulting the Ministry of Health; criteria for classifying labor according to working conditions shall also be stipulated.
  3. Employers must fully implement occupational protection and health care measures for workers in heavy, hazardous, or particularly hazardous occupations as prescribed by law.

  Article 23. Personal Protective Equipment in the Workplace

  1. Workers performing hazardous tasks must be provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) by the employer, which must be used during work.
  2. Employers shall implement technological, technical, and equipment solutions to eliminate or minimize hazards and improve working conditions.
  3. When providing PPE, employers must ensure:
     • a) Correct type, suitable for the worker, sufficient quantity, and quality in accordance with national technical standards;
     • b) Money cannot be given in place of providing PPE; workers cannot be forced to purchase PPE themselves;
     • c) Workers are instructed and supervised in using PPE;
     • d) Decontamination, sterilization, and radiation treatment are applied to used PPE to ensure hygiene in high-risk areas.
  4. The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall regulate the provision of PPE in the workplace.

  Article 24. In-Kind Allowances

  1. Workers in hazardous environments are entitled to in-kind allowances from employers.
  2. Principles for in-kind allowances:
     • a) Enhance body resistance and detoxification;
     • b) Ensure convenience, safety, and food hygiene;
     • c) Implemented during work shifts or days, except in special cases where group distribution on-site is not possible.
  3. The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall regulate in-kind allowances.

  Article 25. Working Hours under Hazardous Conditions

  1. Employers are responsible for ensuring workers’ exposure time to hazards remains within safety limits specified in national technical standards and related laws.
  2. Working hours for particularly heavy, hazardous, or dangerous jobs are regulated according to labor laws.

  Article 26. Health Recuperation

  Annually, employers are encouraged to arrange health recuperation for workers in heavy, hazardous, or particularly hazardous jobs and for workers with poor health.

  Article 27. Worker Health Management

  1. Employers must assign work suitable to workers based on health standards for each occupation and health check-up results.
  2. Employers are responsible for maintaining workers’ health records, records of occupational diseases, notifying workers of check-up results, and annually reporting health management to the competent state health authority.

  Article 41. Principles for Regimes for Workers Suffering Occupational Accidents and Diseases from the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund

  1. The Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund is a component of the Social Insurance Fund; contributions, benefits, management, and usage follow this Law and the Social Insurance Law.
  2. Contribution rates are based on the worker’s monthly salary and paid by the employer.
  3. Benefit levels are calculated based on work capacity loss, contribution rate, and contribution period.
  4. Implementation must be simple, convenient, timely, and ensure full rights for insured workers.

  Article 42. Use of the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund

  1. Pay for disability or disease assessments from occupational accidents or diseases; cover assessments for voluntary evaluations if conditions for increasing benefits are met.
  2. Pay lump-sum benefits, monthly allowances, and service allowances.
  3. Provide support for assistive devices and orthopedic tools.
  4. Pay for health recuperation.
  5. Provide preventive and risk-sharing support for occupational accidents and diseases.
  6. Support vocational retraining for affected workers returning to work.
  7. Management costs follow the Social Insurance Law.
  8. Pay health insurance for workers receiving monthly occupational accident or disease allowances.

  Article 43. Subjects Eligible for Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance

  1. Subjects include workers participating in compulsory social insurance under Clause 1, Article 2 and employers under Clause 3, Article 2 of the Social Insurance Law.
  2. For workers with multiple employers, contributions must be paid per contract; benefits are provided according to government regulations.

  Article 44. Contribution Rates and Sources of the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund

  1. Employers contribute monthly up to 1% of the salary fund used for social insurance contributions to the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund.
  2. Sources include:
     • a) Employer contributions;
     • b) Investment income from the fund;
     • c) Other lawful sources.
  3. The government regulates contribution levels to ensure fund balance.

  Article 45. Conditions for Receiving Occupational Accident Benefits

  1. Workers are entitled to benefits if they suffer accidents in:
     • a) Workplace during working hours, including necessary activities allowed by labor laws or workplace rules (breaks, meals, in-kind nutrition, hygiene, breastfeeding, restroom use);
     • b) Outside workplace or hours when performing tasks requested by the employer or authorized supervisor;
     • c) Commuting between home and workplace on reasonable routes and times.
  2. Work capacity loss of 5% or more due to the accident.
  3. Exclusions apply as regulated in Clause 1, Article 40 of this Law.

  Article 46. Conditions for Receiving Occupational Disease Benefits

  1. Workers are entitled to benefits if:
     • a) Diagnosed with an occupational disease listed by the Ministry of Health;
     • b) Work capacity loss of 5% or more due to the occupational disease.
  2. Retired or former workers developing occupational diseases within the prescribed time are eligible for assessment and benefits as regulated by the government.

  Article 47. Assessment of Work Capacity Loss

  1. Workers suffering occupational accidents or diseases are assessed or reassessed in the following cases:
     • a) After initial treatment, residual effects remain;
     • b) After recurrence and treatment;
     • c) If the injury or disease cannot be stabilized, assessment can be done before or during treatment.
  2. Workers may receive combined assessments in cases of:
     • a) Both accident and occupational disease;
     • b) Multiple accidents;
     • c) Multiple occupational diseases.
  3. Reassessment is conducted 24 months after the previous assessment; earlier assessment is allowed if health deteriorates rapidly due to occupational disease, as regulated by the Ministry of Health.

  Article 48. One-Time Allowance

  1. Workers with a work capacity loss from 5% to 30% are entitled to a one-time allowance.
  2. The one-time allowance is calculated as follows:
     • a) For 5% work capacity loss, the allowance equals five times the basic salary; for each additional 1% loss, an extra 0.5 times the basic salary is added;
     • b) In addition to the allowance in point a, an extra amount is calculated based on the number of years contributed to the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund: for up to one year, it equals 0.5 month’s salary; for each additional year, an extra 0.3 month’s salary based on the salary of the month prior to the accident or disease determination. If the accident occurs in the first month of contribution or after a break, the salary used for calculation is that month’s salary.
  3. The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall provide detailed regulations for calculating allowances in cases of changes due to reassessment or combined assessment.

  Article 49. Monthly Allowance

  1. Workers with a work capacity loss of 31% or more are entitled to a monthly allowance.
  2. The monthly allowance is calculated as follows:
     • a) For 31% work capacity loss, the allowance equals 30% of the basic salary; for each additional 1% loss, an extra 2% of the basic salary is added;
     • b) In addition, a monthly supplement is calculated based on the number of years contributed to the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund: up to one year, 0.5%; for each additional year, 0.3% of the salary contributed in the month prior to the accident or disease determination. If the accident occurs in the first month of contribution or after a break, the salary used for calculation is that month’s salary.
  3. Suspension or continuation of monthly allowances and service allowances follows Articles 64, 113, and 114 of the Social Insurance Law. In case of suspension under Clause 1(c), Article 64, the social insurance agency must notify in writing with reasons; termination of benefits must be based on competent authority decisions.
  4. Workers wishing to receive benefits at a new residence within the country must submit a request to the social insurance agency currently administering the allowance, which must respond within 5 days; if not resolved, a written explanation is required.
  5. Workers moving abroad for permanent residence receive a one-time allowance equal to three months of the current monthly allowance. Procedures follow Articles 109(2,3) and 110(4) of the Social Insurance Law.
  6. The level of monthly occupational accident or disease allowance and service allowance is adjusted according to the Social Insurance Law.

  Article 50. Commencement of Allowances

  1. The commencement date of allowances under Articles 48, 49, and 52 is from the month the worker completes stable treatment and is discharged, or from the month of the Medical Assessment Council’s conclusion if outpatient; in cases of combined assessment under Article 47(2), the allowance starts from the month of completion of the final treatment or the month of combined assessment conclusion.

  If the date of stable treatment is unknown, the allowance starts from the Medical Assessment Council’s conclusion; in cases of HIV/AIDS due to occupational accidents, the allowance starts from the month the worker receives the HIV/AIDS certification due to occupational risk.

  2. If the worker undergoes assessment under Article 47(1)(b) and (2), the allowance commencement is from the Medical Assessment Council’s conclusion.

  Article 51. Assistive Devices and Orthopedic Tools

  1. Workers suffering functional impairments due to occupational accidents or diseases are entitled to funds for purchasing assistive devices or orthopedic tools based on injury status and medical or rehabilitation recommendations.
  2. The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall provide detailed regulations on types, lifespan, costs, and procedures for assistive devices and orthopedic tools.

  Article 52. Service Allowance

  Workers with work capacity loss of 81% or more who are paralyzed, blind in both eyes, have lost or paralyzed limbs, or suffer mental illness are entitled, in addition to Article 49 benefits, to a monthly service allowance equal to the basic salary.

  Article 53. Allowance in Case of Death due to Occupational Accidents or Diseases

  The worker’s dependents are entitled to a one-time allowance equal to thirty-six times the basic salary of the month of death and survivorship benefits under the Social Insurance Law if:

  1. The worker dies while working due to occupational accidents or diseases;
  2. The worker dies during initial treatment for occupational accidents or diseases;
  3. The worker dies during treatment before assessment of work capacity loss.

  Procedures follow Article 111(1) of the Social Insurance Law.

  Article 54. Recuperation and Health Recovery after Treatment

  1. After completing treatment for occupational injuries or diseases, if health has not recovered within the first 30 days of returning to work, workers are entitled to 5–10 days of recuperation per accident or disease episode.

  If assessment results are pending within the first 30 days, workers are still entitled to recuperation if the Medical Assessment Council later confirms eligibility for occupational accident or disease benefits.

  2. The number of recuperation days is decided by the employer and the workplace trade union; if no union exists, the employer decides. Duration is as follows:
     • a) Up to 10 days for work capacity loss ≥51%;
     • b) Up to 7 days for work capacity loss 31–50%;
     • c) Up to 5 days for work capacity loss 15–30%.
  3. Each day of recuperation is valued at 30% of the basic salary.

  Article 55. Support for Vocational Retraining for Workers Returning to Work after Occupational Accidents or Diseases

  1. If a worker is reassigned to a new job under employer management and requires vocational training, tuition fees are supported.
  2. Support is capped at 50% of tuition and 15 times the basic salary; each worker may receive support twice, only once per year.

   

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  7. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HYGIENE REGULATIONS, SAFETY SIGNS, SAFETY AND HYGIENE INSTRUCTIONS, USE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT; FIRST AID AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE PREVENTION SKILLS

  a. Occupational safety and hygiene regulations, safety signs, and instructions – Law No. 84/2015/QH13:

  Article 15. Regulations and procedures to ensure occupational safety and hygiene
  Employers shall base their regulations and procedures on laws, national and local technical standards on occupational safety and hygiene, as well as on production and business conditions, to establish, issue, and implement rules and procedures ensuring occupational safety and hygiene.

  Article 16. Responsibilities of employers in ensuring occupational safety and hygiene at the workplace

  1. Ensure that the workplace meets requirements regarding space, ventilation, dust, fumes, toxic gases, radiation, electromagnetic fields, heat, humidity, noise, vibration, hazardous and harmful factors as specified by relevant technical standards, and conduct periodic checks and measurements; provide sufficient shower and toilet facilities according to the Ministry of Health regulations.
  2. Ensure that machinery, equipment, materials, and substances used, operated, maintained, and stored comply with occupational safety and hygiene technical standards or declared standards, and follow workplace safety and hygiene regulations and procedures.
  3. Provide workers with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for tasks with hazardous or harmful elements; equip safety and hygiene devices at the workplace.
  4. Annually or as necessary, organize inspections and evaluations of hazardous and harmful factors to implement technological and technical measures to eliminate or minimize risks, improve working conditions, and protect workers’ health.
  5. Periodically inspect and maintain machinery, equipment, materials, substances, workshops, and warehouses.
  6. Post warning signs and instructions in Vietnamese and languages commonly used by workers for machinery, equipment, materials, and substances requiring strict occupational safety and hygiene, placing them in visible, easily readable locations.
  7. Disseminate, instruct, or train workers on regulations, rules, procedures on occupational safety and hygiene, and preventive measures for hazardous or harmful factors related to assigned tasks.
  8. Develop and issue emergency response and incident handling plans; organize emergency response teams, and report promptly to responsible authorities when detecting risks or accidents that exceed employer control.

  Article 17. Responsibilities of workers in ensuring occupational safety and hygiene at the workplace

  1. Comply with occupational safety and hygiene regulations, rules, procedures, and requirements issued by employers or competent state authorities related to assigned tasks.
  2. Understand and follow occupational safety and hygiene laws, use and maintain issued PPE and workplace safety equipment during assigned tasks.
  3. Participate in occupational safety training before using machinery, equipment, materials, or substances that require strict safety and hygiene standards.
  4. Prevent direct risks to occupational safety and hygiene, report promptly to responsible personnel in case of accidents, incidents, or hazards, and actively participate in emergency response and incident handling according to established plans or orders from employers or competent authorities.

  Article 18. Control of hazardous and harmful factors at the workplace

  1. Employers must assess and control hazardous and harmful factors to implement technical safety measures and protect workers’ health; apply decontamination for workers exposed to toxic or infectious elements.
  2. For harmful factors with exposure limits set by the Ministry of Health, employers must conduct at least annual environmental monitoring. Monitoring units must have adequate facilities, equipment, and personnel.
  3. For hazardous factors, employers must continuously control and manage according to technical requirements, and at least annually inspect and assess these factors as required by law.
  4. After receiving monitoring and assessment results, employers must:
     • a) Publicly inform workers at monitored and assessed locations;
     • b) Provide information when requested by trade unions or competent authorities;
     • c) Take corrective and control measures to ensure workplace safety and health.
  5. The Government provides detailed regulations on controlling hazardous and harmful factors and conditions for occupational environmental monitoring organizations in line with the Investment Law and Enterprise Law.

  Article 19. Measures for handling serious technical incidents and emergency response

  1. Employers must have plans for handling serious technical incidents and emergency response, conduct regular drills, and equip technical and medical means for timely response and first aid during serious incidents or occupational accidents.
  2. Responsibilities in handling serious incidents and emergency response:
     • a) Immediately stop operations posing serious risks; prevent workers from continuing unsafe work; implement corrective and emergency measures to protect people, assets, and the environment; promptly notify local authorities.
     • b) If the incident occurs at a single enterprise or locality, mobilize emergency personnel, resources, and means according to specialized law.
     • c) If the incident involves multiple enterprises or localities, responsible employers and local authorities must respond and report to higher authorities as regulated.

  If beyond local capacity, report urgently to higher authorities to mobilize other enterprises or localities; those requested must cooperate within their capacity.

  3. The Government provides detailed regulations on this Article.

  Article 20. Improving working conditions and fostering a safety culture

  1. Employers must regularly cooperate with the workplace trade union to involve workers in activities to improve working conditions and develop a safety culture.
  2. Employers are encouraged to apply technical standards, modern management systems, advanced and environmentally friendly technologies to improve working conditions and ensure safety and hygiene for workers.

  b. Purpose and use of common personal protective equipment (PPE)

  • Purpose:
    • PPE is essential in production to protect workers’ health, prevent occupational accidents and diseases, and improve productivity.
  • Usage:
    • Employers determine usage duration based on job requirements and union consultation, considering PPE quality.
    • Employers must train workers to properly use PPE before distribution and supervise usage.
    • High-tech PPE (insulating gloves, boots, gas masks, safety harnesses, flotation devices) must be quality-checked before issuance and periodically during use, with records kept.
    • PPE used in dirty, toxic, infectious, or radioactive areas must be decontaminated after use and periodically checked.
    • Workers must wear PPE correctly during work and not for personal use; violations may incur disciplinary action.
    • Workers do not pay for PPE; employers must replace lost or damaged items unless caused by unjustified worker negligence. PPE must be returned after expiration or job change if required.

  c. Methods for maintaining common personal protective equipment

  • Protective clothing:
    • Made of thick cotton fabric; sleeves must be properly fastened.
    • Provides protection against electrical arcs and low-voltage contact.
  • Safety helmets:
    • Protect the head from impacts and provide electrical insulation against low-voltage contact.
    • Inner cushioning reduces impact; straps must be fastened securely.
    • After use, helmets must be stored properly on sturdy racks, not dropped, and labeled according to regulations.
  • Self-rescue breathing apparatus (mining):
    • Filters smoke, dust, and toxic gases before reaching the worker’s lungs during emergencies.
    • Storage: dry, ventilated place; do not remove clamps; avoid oil contact; prevent shocks; 3-year shelf life; annual inspection of airtightness and chemicals.
  • Safety shoes:
    • Protect feet from impacts, sharp objects, and provide partial electrical insulation.
    • Must fit properly and be laced securely; store neatly and clean when dirty.
  • Insulating gloves, boots, and chairs:
    • Provide electrical insulation according to voltage levels.
    • Check for defects before use; test periodically.
    • Do not use for wrong purposes; clean and store properly after use.
  • Safety harnesses:
    • Prevent falls during work at height; used in power, construction, and environmental industries.
    • Tested periodically; workers must inspect their harnesses before work for integrity and safety.
    • After use, roll up and store in dry, dust-free, oil-free areas away from heat sources to prevent damage.

  d. First Aid Methods for Workplace Accidents

  • Method to rescue a person from an electric circuit.

  When a person is electrocuted, the electric current passes through the body to the ground or from one phase through the person to another phase. Therefore, the first step is to quickly remove the victim from the circuit. Rescuers must remember that touching the victim directly can be life-threatening. Key precautions include:

  • • If it is possible to cut off the power:
      • The best approach is to switch off the power using nearby switches, circuit breakers, or disconnectors, but note:
      • If the circuit powers a light, prepare an alternative light source immediately.
      • If the victim is at a height, provide a method to catch or support them in case of a fall. In this case, insulated tools like wooden-handled hammers or axes may be used to handle the wires safely.
    • If it is not possible to cut off the power:
      • Distinguish whether it is low-voltage or high-voltage electricity and follow these measures:
      • a) For low-voltage circuits: the rescuer must ensure personal safety, e.g., standing on a dry wooden chair, wearing rubber shoes or insulating boots and gloves. Use gloved hands or a wooden stick to push wires away, or pull the victim by their clothing. Never touch the wires or the victim directly.
      • b) For high-voltage circuits: ideally use insulating boots, gloves, or a safety rod to push the victim away. If no safety equipment is available, create a temporary short circuit using copper, aluminum, or steel wire to connect phases, taking care not to throw wires onto the victim.
  • Immediate care after the victim is removed from the circuit.
    • Assess the victim’s condition and act accordingly:
    • If the victim is conscious: Place them in a ventilated, quiet area and immediately call for medical help. If unavailable, transport the victim to the nearest medical facility.
    • If the victim is unconscious but breathing: Place them in a ventilated, quiet area (keep them warm if cold).
    • If the victim has stopped breathing: Move them to a ventilated, flat area, loosen clothing and belts, check for obstructions in the mouth, and perform artificial respiration combined with chest compressions until medical personnel arrive.
    • If the mouth is tightly closed, open it using fingers or a clean plastic tool, taking care not to break teeth.
  • Artificial respiration and chest compressions.
    • Two main methods for artificial respiration:
    • Prone method:
      • Place the victim face down, one hand under the head, the other arm straight, face turned to the side. Clear saliva and pull out the tongue if obstructing.
      • The rescuer kneels on the victim’s back, hands on the sides, thumbs along the spine, press down while leaning forward. Count rhythmically and repeat 12 times per minute until the victim breathes or medical advice is given.
      • Requires one rescuer.
    • Supine method:
      • Place the victim on their back, pillow or rolled clothes under the head, tilt head slightly back, pull tongue forward. One rescuer manages the airway, another performs compressions. With two helpers, follow illustrated steps.
      • This method delivers 6–15 times more air than the prone method and is more effective.
    • Rescue breathing:
      • Place victim on back, head tilted, clear airway. Rescuer seals mouth and exhales strongly. Continue at 14 breaths per minute until recovery or medical advice.
    • Rescue breathing combined with chest compressions:
      • For unresponsive victims with no pulse or breathing: one rescuer gives rescue breaths, another performs chest compressions.
      • Place both hands on the lower third of the sternum and press firmly, avoiding ribs. Perform 50–60 compressions per minute with coordinated breaths. Do not perform if spinal injury is suspected.
      • This is the most effective method.

  In summary, rescuing someone from an electrical accident is urgent and must be done quickly and calmly. Only declare the victim dead with clear evidence such as skull fracture, severe burns, or confirmation by medical personnel.

  • Wound Dressing Methods
    • Purpose:
      • Protect the wound, prevent infection, keep it clean.
      • Stop bleeding by applying pressure.
    • Principles:
      • Cover the wound completely, leaving no exposed area.
      • Bandage tight enough to stop bleeding but not cut circulation.
      • Keep the wound clean, avoid contamination.
      • Apply dressings early; do not use alcohol or iodine directly except approved antiseptics.
      • For minor wounds: disinfect then bandage.
      • Use sterile gauze, not raw cotton directly on wounds.
    • Types of bandages: roll bandages, triangular bandages, cravat bandages, tail bandages (4 or 6 strands), adhesive bandages.
    • Roll bandage – 3 steps:
      • Anchor: Wrap a small section first, fold the tip in a triangular shape, then continue rolling.
      • Bandage technique: spiral for uniform areas (forearm, thigh), figure-8 or X for joints, fan, or reverse bandaging.
      • Secure: After bandaging, tie or pin the end securely.
    • Triangular bandage: Right-angled triangle cloth, usually 1 m base, 95 cm height. Used folded as a scarf for head or arm support.
    • Applications:
      • Head: Place base horizontally across forehead, tie ends at back of head.
      • Limbs: Wrap to cover wound, cross ends for security.
      • Hands/feet: Lay cloth flat, place limb, cover, cross ends, tie securely.

  8. Additional References

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