Occupational health and safety critical to long-term business success

THE HANOI TIMES — Prioritizing safety and hygiene creates a healthier, more productive, and thriving work environment in businesses, according to an official in the power industry. 

“Occupational safety and hygiene is crucial for the long-term success of any business, as it not only protects employees, but also enhances the company's operational efficiency and reputation," Tran Thuy Hien, Deputy Director of Thuong Tin Power Company under Hanoi Power Corporation (EVNHANOI), told The Hanoi Times at the opening ceremony of the Occupational Safety and Health Action Month and Worker Month 2025 held this weekend.

The electricity sector is prone to industrial accidents. Therefore, Thuong Tin Electricity Company's top priority is to ensure occupational safety and hygiene, Hien said.

She added that the company has conducted regular health checks, provided personal protective equipment and measured the quality of the working environment, and coordinated with the Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting Police to train workers and conduct fire prevention and fire fighting drills.

"We will focus on strictly implementing the periodic maintenance and inspection of equipment, renewing machinery, constantly improving working conditions and environment for the sustainable development of EVNHANOI," said Hien.

Occupational Safety and Health Action Month and Workers' Month, held annually from May 1 to 31, includes activities to raise awareness and educate employers, workers, and medical personnel to prevent and control harmful factors in the workplace, strengthen workers' health care, prevent occupational diseases and accidents, and build a culture of safety.

In this context, a series of activities have been carried out, such as establishing records on occupational environmental hygiene, monitoring of the working environment, periodic health examinations, occupational disease examinations, first aid, and emergency first aid training.

This year, Hanoi launched the Occupational Safety and Health Action Month and Worker Month 2025 with the theme "Strengthening Assessment, Identifying Risks, and Proactively Implementing Measures to Ensure Occupational Safety at Workplaces," and the Worker Month with the theme "Vietnamese Workers Pioneer a New Era."

Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said the month is part of the city's social security and worker care programs. "It aims to improve occupational safety and health to minimize work accidents, fires, and explosions."

The vice chairwoman called on relevant agencies and enterprises in all sectors to strengthen communication on the importance of the Occupational Safety and Health Action Month.

"The management and inspection of work safety by regulatory agencies must be strengthened, especially in high-risk industries, small and medium-sized enterprises, and craft villages, along with strict punishment for enterprises and individuals who fail to ensure work safety," Ha said.

Nguyen Huy Khanh, Vice President of the Hanoi City Labor Federation, said that the Hanoi Trade Union always identifies the month as a key task in the annual work program.

"We always focus on effectively organizing activities to ensure occupational safety and hygiene, improve workers' working conditions, train workers in occupational safety, and assist workers in difficulties, occupational accidents and diseases," Khanh told The Hanoi Times.

At the opening ceremony, the organizing committee provided assistance to 20 disadvantaged workers and 20 children of workers in difficult circumstances. Besides, 329 workers suffering from occupational diseases and more than 2,000 disadvantaged workers were assisted.

Huynh Thanh Xuan, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, called on unions at all levels and union members and workers nationwide to promote a spirit of creative emulation to raise productivity, ensure workplace safety, and maintain employment and stable incomes.

This year's Action Month will focus on measures to improve working conditions and control risks in the workplace. Xuan stressed the need to enhance technological solutions in preventing risks from unsafe and unhygienic practices.

As planned, the month will include a dialogue between the National Council for Occupational Safety and Hygiene and enterprises, a seminar to discuss experiences of occupational accidents and preventive measures, and a training course for health workers, among others.

Meanwhile, occupational safety and hygiene inspections will be launched at 10 construction sites and eight groups and enterprises nationwide.