On July 3, 2024, at 10.00 hours, the Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, chaired the opening ceremony of the Regional Academic Seminar on Occupational Health and Safety in Songkhla Province for 2024. He also presented plaques of honour to business establishments that passed the criteria for the Zero Accident Campaign 2024 in the Southern region, totaling 31 awards. The Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson, Mr. Phumiphat Mueanchan, joined in honour. The Governor of Songkhla Province, Mr. Somnuek Promkhieo, gave a welcome speech. The Deputy Director of the Thailand Institute Of Occupational Safety And Health (Public Organization), Mr. Bancha Srithanauthaikorn, reported on the event’s objectives. Heads of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour in Songkhla Province joined in giving a welcome at Grand Ballroom 1, Buri Sriphu Hotel, Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.
Mr. Phiphat said that he was delighted and honoured to be the opening Chairperson of the Regional Occupational Health and Safety Seminar in Songkhla Province today. This event is part of the national occupational health and safety work that the Thailand Institute Of Occupational Safety And Health (TOSH) organized with the objective of developing and promoting knowledge to workers at all levels. The participants in this seminar included entrepreneurs in all industries, such as hospitals, cold storage establishments, and tourism businesses, including other sectors in the 14 southern provinces. There were a total of 250 people.
Mr. Phiphat continued that the Institute Of Occupational Safety And Health is an agency under the supervision of the Labour Minister. It has a critical mission and duty to work on safety for all workers. The important thing about safety is that there must be a preventative approach before an incident occurs, like the Thai proverb, “The pen must be surrounded before the cows disappear.” There must be solutions to prevent accidents or dangers before they occur.
“Safety work is like the Thai proverb, “the pen must be surrounded before the cows disappear.” We must find a way to prevent accidents or dangers from occurring,” the Labour Minister said.
Mr. Phiphat added that today’s event was organized to raise awareness of reducing accidents in the southern region and nationwide, focusing on minimizing accidents and mistakes. For example, in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, there are many entertainment venues. What measures will be taken by tourists who visit these entertainment venues to feel safe if an unexpected event occurs? Therefore, he said that there needs to be coordination with relevant agencies to provide advice on safety, such as employees in entertainment venues undergoing safety training, so that they are able to advise tourists, including information and posting various signs in the area for tourists to understand when an unexpected event occurs.
Mr. Phiphat also expressed concern for staff working in confined spaces, such as wastewater wells or other areas where there is little air. If an accident occurs in those areas, operators should learn how to act. Therefore, officials in agencies who must work in dangerous areas must study and acquire knowledge, in the beginning, to learn about the risks in the area where they will work. They must be prepared if they have to go to work suddenly or urgently, being prepared all the time.
“Accidents or unexpected events can happen. Therefore, we ask all workers to prepare and learn how to solve problems if an unexpected event occurs. Many times, we have lost due to ignorance. Therefore, every worker must prepare themselves before working. Broken tools can be repaired. But if someone dies, they cannot be repaired,” Mr. Phiphat said.
