More than 210,000 workers sustained injuries in the workplace in Thailand last year, with Bt1.6 billion spent on treatment and compensation, a regional workshop on occupational safety was told yesterday.

The exact figure of 214,235 works out at roughly 27.75 per 1,000 workers nationwide, according to the Labour Protection and Welfare Department.

Half of the injuries were caused by the cutting or piercing of workers handling machinery or from the impact of large objects, while eye injuries were through contact with chemicals or other physical means.

The statistics were provided during the 22nd Asia-Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organisation seminar, which began on Wednesday and ended yesterday.

The seminar was organised to coincide with the locally organised 20th Occupational Safety Week fair at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

During the event, many workers who had lost limbs and undergone rehabilitation and career training said they were effective in their new jobs - mostly in handicraft work.

Kessara Inkaew, who lost both her hands eight years ago, said that mirror-sanding work had given her a new chance to make a living.

The 26-year-old said that about 150 workers who had lost limbs at work had undergone similar career training courses to the one she attended, but there were still worrying signs.

"This shows that the occupational safety system in our country still needs improvement," she said.

Somchai Inmor, an instructor on metalwork with the Social Security Office's Training and Restoration Centre for Disabled Workers, said the centre had - with the help of King Mongkut's University of Technology Lat Krabang - developed several devices used in handicraft production for disabled workers at much lower prices.

"A supplementary device that we make for users of wheelchairs who have only one arm costs only Bt300, while the imported equivalent costs Bt30,000.

"An imported device used to support the fingers of those who produce delicate handicrafts will cost around Bt40,000, but we can make them for only Bt300 apiece," he said.

The seminar presented a special award to Honda Manufacturing for winning an occupational safety measure award 11 years in a row, while PTT Plc was also recognised for winning a national award 10 years running.

Amnuay Chaichana, of Honda, said safety regulations had been strictly enforced within the assembly plant compound.

For example, he said insurance coverage would not be granted to any worker who failed to wear a safety helmet at work.

Caretaker Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said occupational safety would soon be recognised as a national agenda item, and would be further developed to meet international standards.

Anan Paengnoy

The Nation