BANGKOK (ILO News) - Every day two people die and nearly 600 people in Thailand are hurt as a result of accidents at work. More – children as well as adults – are injured at home. But preventing accidents in the home and at work needn’t be difficult, time-consuming or expensive. Many improvements can be made using only common sense.

• Keep the floor clear. Don’t use corridors and stairways for storage, they make it easy for people to trip and fall badly. Boxes in passageways also block your escape in a fire or emergency - and that could be fatal.
• Carry carefully. Think before picking up something large or heavy. A back injury can last for life. Use a trolley or conveyor instead.
• Chemicals. Every home and workplace has toxic chemicals that can kill – bleach, fertilizer, cleaning materials. They should be clearly labelled, in a language everyone understands, with basic information about their properties. And they should be securely stored so children can’t reach them.
• First Aid. A basic first aid kit is not expensive. Make sure it’s easily available and that you know what it contains and how to use it. The right on-the-spot treatment can make a big difference.
• Take precautions. Personal protective equipment like gloves, shoes, masks, goggles and hard hats doesn’t have to be expensive but can save you from serious injury in the home, fields or office, so get into the habit of using them. Domestic and work machines should be fitted with protective guards.
• Electricity can be lethal. Don’t let electric cables lie loose on the floor. All electrical machinery - domestic and industrial - should be well earthed.
• Work smart. Whether you’re cooking at home, sitting at a computer, or standing mixing and assembling products make sure you are comfortable. Standing or sitting, worktops are best at elbow height. Chairs should have supporting backrests. Don’t sit on the floor to work or cook – it’s bad for your back as well as being dirty and unsafe.
• Pure, fresh drinking water should be easily and plentifully available. Washing and toilet facilities need to be clean and convenient, with soap, towels and separate facilities for men and women.
• Give yourself a break. Working long hours without a rest makes people less productive and more likely to have accidents or make mistakes. It’s easier to stay alert if you introduce some variety into your tasks rather than monotonously performing the same action. You’ll develop new skills too.
• Light and air. Good light and fresh air help you stay alert and cut down unhealthy build-ups of chemicals and dirt. Better ventilation and a proper, insulating ceiling can pay for themselves with reduced heating and air con bills.
• Be aware that elderly people, the disabled, pregnant women, young and inexperienced workers have special needs in health and safety, as in other things.
• Systems are the key to safety. Make good health and safety practices part of your daily habits at home and at work, 365 days a year.

For more information please contact:
Sophy Fisher
Regional Information Officer
ILO Bangkok
Tel : + 66 2288 2482
Email