Training

VBLI’s training aims at delivering and enhancing knowledge on health and safety to footwear businesses. Up to the end of the year 2003, 26 training courses have been already held to them all over the country by the Programme, of which 15 for managements and 11 for line leaders. All the courses are provided in 3 main areas (Hanoi, Haiphong and HCMC) where appear the majority of the factories engaged. It is excited to learn of the participants’ interest in the service of the Programme as the first-ever courses in terms of OHS issue.

• The principals of the training are comprehensively pursued by the Programme, that are:

• To help businesses raise awareness on the importance of OHS, for the sake of their employees and their own profits;

• To raise their responsibility to ensure the safe and healthy working environment for their employees;

• To help them approach progressive viewpoints concerning OHS in the world;

• To instruct them with necessary knowledge and experience in improving health and safety issues for workers, which can be delivered downwards and across the company.

For the training trainers, 05 modules (OHS Management, Chemical safety and Safe use of equipments and maintenance, MSS, updated information on OHS) with 15 courses have been provided to footwear factories in Hanoi, Haiphong and HCMC. Following are the contents of the five modules:

Module 1

• Main legislation and policies related to OHS in Vietnam. Accident reporting and statistics

• Current status on working conditions and the workers health in the industry. Management solutions.

• Current status on OHS, working conditions, health and diseases in the industry and in footwear industry. Preventive solutions.

• Risk management guidelines

• Workplace Assessment. Establishment of OHS plan in factory

• Personal Protective Equipment

• Establishment of an OHS action plan in factory

Module 2

• Introduction to convention No 170 concerning safety in the use of chemicals at work

• Technology and process of shoes production and chemical issues in the footwear industry.

• Identification, classification and labeling of chemicals, chemical safety data sheet.

• Risk management of toxic chemicals

• Health impact from exposure to chemicals in foot wear industry

• Introduction to safety in the use, transport and storage of chemicals. Preventive measures and control of chemical hazards.

Module 3

• "5S" in shoes producing factories

• General machinery guarding

• Safe use, maintenance and repair of equipments in cutting section, stitching section, assembling section, technical section and rubber laminating workshop

• Safe use, maintenance and repair of compressor; safe procedures of transport, handling, lifting and putting down.

Module 4

• Introduction to MSS, Commitment to Good Practice

• H&S communications in factories, general housekeeping

• First aid at workplace

• OHS action plan, photographs section of good and bad practice at the shopfloor.

Module 5

• Government’s legislation

• Occupational Health management

• Union’s role and responsibility in ensuring good working conditions

• Safety working procedures and self-monitoring activity of a business

• Some international standards regarding OHS applied in footwear industry.

With lectures delivered by expertise from Molisa, MOI, MOH and NILP, information on changes in legislation system as well as good experience on OHS can reach all participants. Concerning questions are also raised and discussed during the course. By now the 5th course has already been held in Hanoi on August 6-7, 2003, then in Haiphong and HCMC.
Generally the trainings duly meet the need of factory members who lack awareness and experience on OHS and other hazardous factors in the workplace. The most significant thing VBLI can contribute to the industry is that it makes the participants clear about the importance of OHS, machinery safeguarding as well as chemical handling and storage not only to the factory’s productivity but also to its reputation and image.

Regarding trainings for line leaders, the Programme has closely cooperated with the management of footwear companies to hold such courses in which delivering necessary knowledge and skills on OHS to this level, concurrently creating forums for attendants to discuss and exchange their own experiences in OHS implementation. The best way would be chosen thereafter. The course covers such issues as:

• The employers’ and employees' rights and responsibilities on OHS;

• Current situation of OHS in the footwear factory, its difficulties in carrying OHS work plan;

• Working environment - some factors affecting worker’s health;

• Popular safety techniques in the footwear industry;

• Fire safety in working area.

The objectives of the training should focus on helping participants know what they need to do and how to instruct workers to practice correctly and safely. Training should also be incorporated with information and communication in order to keep factory members of all levels informed and understood the importance of a safe and healthy working environment within the factory. Up to now, the trainings for line leaders have been held for:

• Haiphong leather and footwear company (Haiphong) on June 27-28, 2002

• Barotex shoes factory (Hanoi) on July 18-19, 2002

• Pou Yuen Co. Ltd. on August 27-28, 2002

• Saigon shoes company and Hiep Hung Shoes Company in August 29-30, 2002

• Co. No.32 and An Giang Shoes company in November 18-19, 2002

• 6 factories of NIKE in November 20-21, 2002

• Giant-V Co. Ltd., Kainan JV and Golden Top Co. Ltd. on March 27-28, 2003

• Hanshoes company and Thuong Dinh Shoes company on April 10-11, 2003

• WEC Saigon Joint-Stock Company on April 17-18, 2003

• Ngoc Ha Shoes Company on May 30-31, 2003;

• Hanshoes (fire safety) August 20-21, 2003.

The contents of the course have been highly welcomed by the attendants, who report that they are quite helpful to them not only in improving their knowledge and skills concerned but also in their day-to-day supervision work. In the next three months, what’s the vast majority of attendants’ concern is to retrain to their staff/colleges on issues above mentioned.

From 2004 onward, the Programme will engage also in the garment industry, therefore trainings should be held to this section. It is planned to arrange some similar courses on health and safety as well as HIV protection to garment managements and OHS executives in the coming time. Particularly, the Programme is at present holding the first course for those in Thaibinh province, one of 11 garment centres of the country. Furthermore, notice has been sent to factories for line leader training courses so as detailed schedules will be then arranged accordingly.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us directly with the following address for anything concerned.