CLA workplace safety measures bear fruit

Source： Taiwan Today
The Council of Labor Affairs’ active promotion of workplace safety measures has been effective in reducing the frequency of accidents on the job, ROC Premier Sean C. Chen said April 26.

Speaking after listening to a report on the subject by the CLA at a Cabinet meeting, Chen noted that the ratio of occupational accidents in Taiwan dropped from 4.44 per 1,000 workers in 2007 to 4.15 per thousand last year, for a 6 percent decline.

The premier noted that worker health and safety is not only a basic human right but also an important index of a nation’s development.

Changes in Taiwan’s industrial structure and social environment have brought about new challenges in occupational safety and health, such as overwork and workplace violence issues, he noted.

The council said in its report that although workplace accidents have declined, there are still 61,869 cases annually, leaving much room for improvement. New workplace trends resulting from social changes such as higher rates of participation by women and seniors also require attention, it added.

The CLA said measures being adopted at this stage include revision of related laws, implementation of a national registration system for the management of toxic chemicals and improvements in workplace safety.

Later steps will include the second phase of the chemical registration mechanism, the mapping out of a worker health service system and promotion of worker rehabilitation services and related programs, the council said. (SB-THN)