Workshop on "OSH in Coalmining" organized in Quang Ninh

A workshop on “occupational safety and health in coalmining” funded by the Korean Government through the International Labour Organization was held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Vietnam Coal Corporation and Quang Ninh Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in Hon Gai town, Quang Ninh province, on August 26-27, 2004, in an effort to improve working conditions and minimize occupational accidents and diseases. Attending the workshop were representatives from the Department of Occupational Safety, Vietnam Coal Corporation, Quang Ninh Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and from 35 coalmining and coal processing enterprises under the Vietnam Coal Corporation. A specialist from the International Labour Organization – Geneva and 02 Chinese delegates attended and made presentations at the workshop.

A various number of topics related to occupational safety and health (OSH) in coal industry were presented and discussed at the workshop, including State administration over OSH in coalmining; Convention No 176 and OSH technical cooperation in coalmining; OSH in underground, surface mining and coal selection; silicosis prevention; experience in coalmining in China…

Coalmining is a hard, hazardous and dangerous industry, in which workers are exposed to severe working conditions and polluted working environment and face high risks of occupational accidents and diseases. In the five year period of 1999 – 2003, on average 22 workers died per annum from accidents at mining sites. By 31 December 2003, the number of silicosis infected coal workers who were granted with medical insurance books reached 2,046.

Presentations made by affiliates under the Vietnam Coal Corporation showed the fact that there are potentially dangerous factors in coalmining and coal processing which directly affect workers' safety and health. Moreover, because of poor awareness and self-protection by workers, occupational accidents and diseases are not prevented. These affiliates expected to receive more attention from functional agencies, research institutions to evaluate environmental features, underground mining conditions; more advices of appropriate OSH measures, in order that they can utilize their productive capacity and ensure OSH./.

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