Labor safety loopholes at construction sites in Ho Chi Minh City
Despite being equipped with protective equipment, many workers at construction sites in Ho Chi Minh City still neglect labor safety regulations, posing a risk of fatal accidents.
Equipped with protection equipment but not strictly implemented
In recent months, Ho Chi Minh City has continuously experienced fatal labor accidents at construction sites, raising the requirement to ensure safety for workers and people in the process of accelerating the progress of transport projects.
Lao Dong Newspaper reporters recorded the compliance with labor safety regulations in the construction area of metro line No. 2, Long Thanh bridge and An Phu intersection.
At the construction area of metro line No. 2, workers are basically equipped with helmets and protective clothing when working. The construction site area is equipped with barriers and warning signs, helping people recognize the construction area and pay attention when moving through the surrounding area.
At the Long Thanh bridge construction site, at high-altitude construction locations, workers are recorded to be equipped with helmets, protective suits and seat belts. These are necessary protective equipment in the process of performing work at locations with high risk of falling, contributing to protecting workers during construction.
Meanwhile, at the An Phu intersection construction site, some workers wore helmets improperly when constructing. The proper use of protective equipment is important for the safety of workers. Therefore, in addition to fully equipping protective equipment, complying with user instructions and complying with safety regulations at the construction site is also a factor that needs to be concerned.
Loose protection equipment
The limited compliance with labor safety regulations was recorded at the DT 748 road upgrade and expansion project phase 1 (from the Ring Road 4 intersection in Ho Chi Minh City to the An Dien intersection, Long Nguyen ward, Ho Chi Minh City).
In this area, traffic warning and guidance have been given more attention. The contractor has arranged many warning signs at construction sites. At construction pits, warning ropes have also been stretched and people have been guided to circulate. On power poles along the route that have not been relocated, reflective wires have also been tied to warn people at night. However, ensuring safety for the workers directly involved in construction still has limitations.
According to reporters' records on the afternoon of October 26, at the construction site of the bridge on DT 748 road in phase 1 of the project, there was a group of 5 workers working, but they were not wearing helmets, and the rest were not wearing clothes and helmets as prescribed.
Meanwhile, at the construction site of phase 2 of the above project, reporters recorded a group of workers constructing concrete slabs, but only one person was wearing a helmet, the other 4 people were not wearing protective gear and did not wear protective helmets. At some other locations, workers working with excavators to construct and install sewer lines also did not fully implement the wearing of helmets and protective gear according to regulations. Only a few people were wearing protective helmets, not wearing protective gear.
Notably, DT 748 road is still being exploited, vehicles circulate through the construction area. In conditions where the construction site generates dust that can affect visibility, workers not wearing high-recognition reflective clothing and not wearing helmets increase the risk of unsafety during work.
* According to records, the Binh Duong area has some slow-progressing traffic projects such as the upgrading and expansion of National Highway 13 and the upgrading and expansion of DT 744 road. These two projects have been implemented for many years but have not been completed, barriers, unflat road surfaces, and complicated traffic. These are factors that risk causing unsafety for both traffic participants and workers constructing projects.
* In recent months, serious labor accidents have continuously occurred, affecting the lives of workers and property. On the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project (Dong Hoa ward section), at the end of July 2026, an incident occurred where a truck carrying materials crushed a technician to death; in early September 2026, at the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project (section through Long Binh ward), a crane collapsed, killing 1 person and injuring 1 person.
Not only at large construction sites, but also at construction sites and small roads in residential areas, there are potential risks of accidents. In early October 2026, at the D7 asphalt pavement construction site (Binh Thuan neighborhood, Thuan Giao ward), a roller collision occurred with a worker blowing dust, causing the victim to die.
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