Vietnam’s major economic groups and corporations witnessed an increase in fatal workplace accidents in 2012, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
In 2012, Vinacomin saw 34 deaths due to workplace accidents
Cao Anh Dung, deputy director of the Industrial Safety Techniques and Environment Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said at a meeting to review workplace safety and environmental protection on April 17 that 43 occupational accidents happened in Vietnam last year, leading to 48 deaths, up 55.6% and 62.1% against 2011. Coal, electricity and steel sectors witnessed the most workplace accidents.
In 2012, the Vietnam National Coal and Internal Industries Group (Vinacomin) saw 34 deaths due to workplace accidents; Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) with five; Vietnam Steel Corporation with four and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) with two.
Deputy General Director of Vinacomin Vu Thanh Lam said the group had 140,000 staff members, with some working in potentially hazardous areas; therefore, workers often face risks. Annually, Vinacomin has to spend VND900 billion (USD42.8 million) on labour safety.
“Vinacomin has always been a hot spot in occupational accidents. It has witnessed 417 workplace accidents in 2012, killing 34 people,” Lam noted.
A representative from PetroVietnam said the group now has 50,000 staff. Many PetroVietnam works pose risks to worker health as well as environment.
