Vietnam witnessed 6,777 occupational accidents in 2012, causing 606 deaths, up 881 and 32 respectively against 2011, according to a report from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Mining saw the highest number of occupational accidents in 2012
The report showed that the accidents in 2012 resulted in over 6,300 injuries and total losses of VND82.6 billion (USD3.93 million), including VND11 billion (USD523,800) related to assets.
HCM City topped the country in terms of the number of accidents, followed by Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ha Tinh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Long An, Danang and Binh Thuan. Notably, Bac Lieu Province did not witness any fatal occupational accident in the year, leaving it free from workplaces accidents for four consecutive years.
The sectors that saw the highest number of accidents were mining, construction and mechanics.
The main reason for the high occupational accidents was a lack of worker knowledge of occupational safety.
Among the total 552 fatal accidents in 2012, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs received reports on 149 cases, including only two in which employers were prosecuted.
According to Ha Tat Thang, head of the agency, the figure of 6,777 occupational accidents was based on statistics from 19,000 enterprises sourced from 50 out of 63 cities and provinces nationwide, accounting for just 5.1% of the country’s total number of companies. He added that workplace accidents had reached alarming levels, mostly in small and medium-sized enterprises.
The agency launched the 15th National Safety, Hygiene and Fire Prevention Week which will be held in Bac Giang Province between March 17-23.