Installing turbines at 150 metres, operating 500 kV substations — power-sector work ranks among the most dangerous in industry. Workplace accidents are human tragedies that also halt projects and expose owners and contractors to liability. Vietnamese occupational safety law places heavy duties on employers in this sector.
Requirements for power-sector workers
Workers in jobs with strict OHS requirements (equipment operation and repair, work at height) must receive OHS training, hold safety cards and be fully equipped with personal protective equipment. Electrical equipment operators need proper qualifications and certificates — untrained workers must never fill hazardous posts.
For foreign workers (engineers, turbine installation specialists): work permits under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (replacing Decree 152/2020) are required — procedures include approval of foreign-labour demand and work-permit issuance. Employing foreigners without permits draws heavy penalties and deportation of the workers.
Owner and contractor safety duties
The OHS Law requires employers to: assess risks and plan safety for each hazardous job; provide full PPE; conduct periodic training; station safety supervisors on site; and buy workplace-accident insurance. Power works add electrical-safety procedures (de-energising, grounding, testing before work).
Owner-EPC contractor responsibility split: contracts must define who owns site safety, who organises training and who pays for protection — when contracts stay silent, both face investigation after an accident.
When a workplace accident occurs
Employers must provide first aid and emergency care, report to competent authorities, investigate causes and compensate and support victims as regulated. Concealing workplace accidents is a serious violation, heavily penalised and potentially criminally liable for grave consequences. The lesson: safety investment always costs less than one accident — in money and reputation.
This article has been quality-reviewed by the FLAW AI Legal Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
What papers do foreign engineers installing turbines in Vietnam need?
Work permits under Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (replacing Decree 152/2020): first, approval of foreign-labour demand, then work-permit issuance. Employing foreigners without permits draws heavy penalties and deportation.
What OHS duties do power-project owners have?
Risk assessment and safety planning per hazardous job; OHS training and safety cards; full PPE; on-site safety supervisors; workplace-accident insurance. Power works add electrical-safety procedures (de-energising, grounding, testing).
How are power-site workplace accidents handled?
First aid and emergency care; reporting to competent authorities; cause investigation; victim compensation and support as regulated. Concealing accidents is a serious violation, potentially criminally liable for grave consequences.