More than 100 local enterprises in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau have wrapped up their year-long activities in a labour safety and hygiene management programme organised by Ba Ria-Vung Tau Industrial Zone Authority and NS BlueScope Vietnam.

A variety of practical initiatives were carried out during the programme to improve labour safety awareness.

Many seminars and workshops, for example, were held to discuss urgent issues like production efficiency and sustainable development; while field trips were taken to Phu My I factory in Ba Ria-Vung Tau to learn about NS BlueScope Vietnam’s safety management model; contractor management; energy isolation; and fall prevention.

The programme set up a network of local companies that share experiences in dealing with urgent issues related to labour hygiene and safety management.

Tran Huu Thong, deputy head of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Industrial Zone Authority said: “Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a province packed with industrial parks and enterprises operating in relatively dangerous industries such as the smokestack industry, and mechanical and construction industries. Therefore, a labour safety focus ensures safety not only for businesses but also to surrounding communities.”

The success of the programme marks the second consecutive year that NS BlueScope Vietnam has implemented labour safety awareness initiatives for enterprises.

The programme aim is to promote sustainable development of businesses in localities where the company operates manufacturing plants. The previous programme in Dong Nai in 2017 also received positive feedback from local enterprises.

NS Blue Scope said the company will host a seminar on “Increasing Competitiveness through Safety Culture” in Ha Noi at the end of the month.

The seminar will include sharing of practical experiences, introduction of safety applications in construction, and a panel discussion on safety culture. The event is expected to be a forum for enterprises to share useful experiences and enhance awareness about occupational safety practices. As many as 150 participants will take part in the seminar.

NS BlueScope Vietnam is a member of a 50-50 joint venture between Australian BlueScope Steel Limited and Japanese Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corporation. The company operates three factories in Phu My, Bien Hoa and Ha Noi.

As a giant player in the market with production of hundreds of thousands tonnes of steel per year, NS BlueScope Vietnam has reported no serious labour incidents over the past decades, which has greatly contributed to a safe working environment for its 400 employees and improved its productivity and business performance. — VNS