Thai trade unions address the reduction of safety and health risks in the workplace

© ILO

© ILO

Bangkok (ILO News) – Thai trade unions are strengthening their role in helping workers prevent occupational accidents and diseases, as Thailand advances efforts to enhance occupational safety and health (OSH), with support from the ILO and the Government of Japan.

In today’s evolving work landscape which is causing multiple challenges in both physical and mental health and safety of workers, stronger worker participation in OSH management is becoming more important for preventing accidents and diseases.

To facilitate these efforts, a training workshop held in Bangkok on 25 May 2026 brought together 38 OSH focal points from four trade unions under the International Trade Union Confederation – Thailand Council (ITUC-TC).

“OSH Risk Assessment and Control” formed part of an ongoing OSH capacity-building programme for trade unions. In accordance with the ILO 5 Step Guide, the participants acquired knowledge and skills to conduct risk assessments in the workplace, from identifying hazards and evaluating the risks to proposing control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of control.

“This training is quite timely and essential,” said Thaweesit Boontham, Executive Director of the OSH Division, who presented Thailand’s recently adopted OSH regulation on mandatory hazard assessments to be conducted by certified experts, with worker participation also mandated by law.

In his opening remarks, Norikazu Takebe, Chief Technical Adviser and Overall Coordinator of the ILO/Japan Multi-bilateral Programme, emphasized that, “Workplace risk assessment is a key instrument for preventing occupational accidents and diseases, and workers’ active participation in this process is essential for effective and sustainable prevention.” He further highlighted the importance of workplace cooperation between workers and management to promote safe and healthy working environments.

The training also highlighted psychosocial hazards in the workplace, which was the theme of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026. Dr Yuka Ujita, ILO Senior OSH Specialist and lead trainer, stressed that a risk assessment should address all types of hazards and risks to both physical and mental health and safety.

Representing ITUC-TC, Manop Kuerat, General Secretary of ITUC-TC and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation (SERC), underscored that although Thailand recently ratified the ILO’s fundamental Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), gaps remain. “For an effective OSH management, collaboration among all stakeholders is crucial, and trade unions stand ready to contribute to these efforts towards safer and healthier workplaces,” he stated.

© ILO

© ILO

The workshop was organized by the “Promoting a safe and healthy working environment in Thailand and Cambodia” project, funded by the Government of Japan.