Hanoi’s authorities will tighten control of construction activities in the city in a bid to reduce the number of work-related accidents.

The scene of a scaffolding collapse at the Viet-Nhat Car Park project in Hanoi's Nam Tu Liem District which left 3 people dead and 3 seriously injured in January last year. (Photo tienphong.vn)

From the beginning of March, inspectors from the municipal Department of Construction have started conducting inspections on the observation of legal document relating to work safety and environmental sanitation at a number of construction sites. Specifically, they will focus on projects in Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Long Bien, Soc Son, Me Linh, Dong Anh and Gia Lam districts.

According to the Hanoi Construction Department Inspectorate, the inspections will help it promptly detect, prevent and handle violations on work safety and environmental sanitation.

Inspectors will review shortcomings and difficulties in the implementation of work safety and environmental sanitation at construction sites.

At the same time, they will propose measures to the municipal People’s Committee with a view to improving the effectiveness of the work.

A series of workplace accidents in Hanoi last year raised concerns over safety and the responsibility of agencies.

Ten accidents were reported in the city last year, leaving five people dead and dozens injured.

Experts blamed poor management of employers in supervising construction sites and the fact that labourers were not properly trained on labour safety regulations. Negligence while at work was also a factor.

Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, recently requested the Department of Construction to work with relevant agencies in strengthening inspections at construction projects and strictly deal with violators. Investors who failed to ensure labour safety should be suspended, he said.

Last year, inspectors from the department inspected 50 construction projects and imposed administrative fines on 20 totalling nearly 300 million VND (13,000 USD).-VNA