Occupational Health and Safety
Commitment, Challenge and Opportunity
CH. Karnchang acknowledges the potential risks associated with the construction and infrastructure development industry, including machinery-related accidents, pressure from tight deadlines, and health concerns among employees and contractors.
To mitigate these risks, we foster a safe working environment, strictly comply with all relevant regulations, conduct regular training sessions, assess potential hazards, and implement stringent safety measures. Additionally, we are committed to transparency in reporting safety performance and continuously improving safety protocols through rigorous monitoring and evaluation. These efforts are aimed at enhancing employees’ quality of life and reinforcing sustainability within our organization.
Supporting the SDGs Goals
Goal 3:
Goal 8:
Stakeholders Directly Impacted
Goals and Performance Highlights
- A total of at least 300,000 work hours completed continuously without any lost-time injuries.
- The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) For employees and contractors remains below 0.2
- Zero fatalities among employees and contractors
- Number of employees trained in occupational health and safety standards
Management and Operational Approach
The company is committed to ensuring the safety and occupational health of its personnel and stakeholders. It upholds a comprehensive safety policy that applies to all operations, including construction projects and headquarters.
Safety considerations are consistently integrated into work plans to align with established standards. To mitigate risks and prevent workplace hazards, the company conducts thorough OHS risk assessments at every stage of operations, including potential new operations or projects. Additionally, it fosters a strong safety culture by organizing activities, conducting training sessions, and providing educational resources to enhance employees' awareness and understanding of proper safety measures.
Additionally, CH. Karnchang is committed to achieving Zero Accidents in its operations by continuously enhancing its occupational health and safety practices. The company has set a target to maintain an accident rate of no more than 0.2 per 200,000 work hours for both employees and contractors, using 2023 as the baseline year. To achieve this, Ch. Karnchang assesses and identifies operational risks and implements comprehensive risk control measures that cover both its employees and contractors. The company also conducts regular reviews and enhancements of its safety policies to ensure alignment with evolving industry standards and future requirements. Furthermore, it adheres to the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system to maintain high operational standards. For risks beyond the company’s control—such as natural disasters or pandemics—CH. Karnchang has established a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to enable employees and management to continue operations during emergencies and efficiently resume business activities within an appropriate timeframe.
CH. Karnchang has established a Health and Safety Committee, overseen by company directors, to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and contractors. The committee consists of 11 members, including the Chairman (Project Manager), five supervisory-level members, six operational-level members, and a Secretary (Professional Safety Officer). The committee meets weekly to discuss safety management and workplace health measures. Additionally, a dedicated emergency response unit has been established, comprising professional safety officers, construction managers, project management managers, and safety managers. This team collaborates and coordinates with external agencies such as hospitals, police stations, and emergency hotlines. It is also responsible for assessing risks and implementing occupational health and safety control measures to ensure a secure working environment.
Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Laws and Relevant Standards
CH. Karnchang ensures full compliance with relevant Thai laws and regulations regarding employee and contractor safety as follows:
- Ministerial Regulation on Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Standards in Construction Work, B.E. 2551 (2008).
- Occupational Safety, Health, and Work Environment Act, B.E. 2554 (2011).
- Ministerial Regulation on Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Standards (No. 2), B.E. 2553 (2010).
- Ministerial Regulation on Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Standards for Machinery, Cranes, and Boilers, B.E. 2552 (2009).
- Ministerial Regulation on Occupational Safety, Health, and Environmental Standards for Confined Spaces, B.E. 2547 (2004).
Additionally, CH. Karnchang has established operational guidelines to prevent potential errors by implementing the ISO 9001:2015 standard for quality management system. This system ensures compliance with operational standards across various construction projects and the head office, covering the company’s core business activities. Furthermore, the company group has developed a framework for personnel development, focusing on enhancing knowledge, skills, ethics, and accountability to the organization and stakeholders. These measures aim to mitigate and prevent potential risks that could negatively impact operations.
Employee Health and Safety Measures
CH. Karnchang has implemented a proactive strategy to prevent and minimize workplace risks by developing an Operations Manual and a Health & Safety Management Plan aimed at safeguarding the well-being of employees and contractors.
These measures encompass risk management for work-related hazards, as well as preventive and response strategies for incidents such as disease outbreaks. The company also ensures compliance with safety regulations related to construction sites, confined space work, and machinery operation to maintain a safe working environment that aligns with industry standards. In response to disease outbreaks, CH. Karnchang conducts daily worker screenings and has installed cleaning stations along with informational signage to promote preventive measures. These efforts are designed to prevent the spread of disease at the company’s construction sites.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Risk Assessment
At CH. Karnchang, we prioritize the assessment of occupational risks for both employees and contractors operating on-site. We conduct risk assessments for all ongoing (Existing) projects as well as upcoming (Potential) projects, calculating risk scores based on the Likelihood of occurrence and Severity of impact. Our assessment framework employs a comprehensive evaluation method covering critical aspects such as risk factors, probability, impact, and mitigation measures. This process spans the entire value chain of our construction and infrastructure development businesses. Assessment results, along with corresponding risk reduction strategies and mitigation initiatives, are consolidated into a quarterly risk management report for executive review and approval. Project managers, employees, and partners are informed of the findings and take appropriate actions to reduce risks, enhance workplace safety, and optimize operational efficiency.
Guidelines for Preventing and Reducing Risks
Construction accidents are a common risk factor in the industry. To mitigate these risks, CH. Karnchang has implemented strict occupational health and safety measures in the workplace. Project managers and workers are required to adhere to the following guidelines : (1) Safety planning, (2) Compliance with the safety plan, (3) Regular safety inspections, and (4) Continuous safety improvement. These measures are outlined in the company’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy
In the 2024 occupational health and safety risk assessment of the work environment, covering both CH. Karnchang employees and contractors, it was determined that the overall risk level at each construction site remains low. The likelihood of accidents and the severity of potential impacts were rated at levels 4 and 1, respectively, according to the company’s risk assessment framework. These findings reflect an aggregate evaluation across all construction sites. Nevertheless, CH. Karnchang has reinforced its safety measures to further protect employees. The company now requires project managers, construction managers, the human resources department, and the legal department to collaborate in overseeing safety inspections conducted by experienced professionals at every stage. These inspections will be carried out in full compliance with CH. Karnchang’s occupational health and safety guidelines ensure 100% coverage across all construction sites.
Approach to Accident Prevention and Risk Reduction
Construction-related accidents are a common operational risk. To effectively manage and mitigate these risks, CH. Karnchang has established the Occupational Health and Safety and Working Environment Committee (Board Level), composed of its board members. This committee oversees occupational health and safety for employees and contractors by developing clear policies for accident prevention, workplace hygiene, and overall safety measures. These efforts include comprehensive planning, execution, and detailed inspections to ensure a safe working environment. Additionally, the company implements safety measures tailored to specific job requirements, ensuring all personnel operate under secure conditions.
Additionally, the company is committed to continuously enhancing its safety plans by improving standards and fostering a strong culture of safety. It prioritizes thorough and regular inspections and analyses of work processes while maintaining statistical records for performance benchmarking. An enterprise risk register is established, and emergency response plans are developed for construction project units. The company also implements protocols for monitoring and preventing infectious diseases in the workplace. Furthermore, various risk response drills are conducted, including accident victim evacuation drills from construction sites and fire drills with evacuation procedures. These efforts are aimed at ensuring readiness, aligning with established safety standards, and fostering a secure and reliable working environment.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Recurrence
To ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future, the company has taken the following steps :
| Incident investigation and analysis | Work process improvement | Training and awareness development | Ongoing monitoring and risk assessment | Implementation of an alert system and emergency response |
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Fostering a Culture of Occupational Health and Safety within the Organization
CH. Karnchang is dedicated to fostering a strong culture of occupational health and safety across the organization. We actively promote workplace safety through various initiatives, including training programs, emergency drills, the dissemination of preventive measures, and encouraging employees to take an active role in enhancing safety processes. Additionally, the company prioritizes cultivating a safety-conscious mindset among employees at all levels as well as among business partners and contractors. We strive to ensure that everyone recognizes the importance of safety—both on an individual level and as part of a collective responsibility.
This safety culture is an integral part of our strategy to create a hazard-free work environment. Employees are well-informed and aware of potential risks, enabling them to avoid hazardous situations while contributing to efficient and sustainable operations through discussions on health and safety with worker representatives. The company regularly monitors and evaluates safety measures, committed to continuously improving them to adapt to future challenges. Our goal is to foster a long-term commitment to health and safety, ensuring a workplace that prioritizes the well-being of all employees.
Performance and Results
In the past year, the company recorded zero accidents in the production process. The lost-time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) for both employees and contractors was 0 cases per 1 million working hours. However, in 2024, a contractor tragically lost their life in a work-related accident. In all cases of injury or fatality, CH. Karnchang conducts a thorough investigation to determine the cause and provides appropriate support and compensation to those directly and indirectly affected. Additionally, preventive measures are continuously implemented to reduce the risk of recurrence.
There were no accidents in the production process, nor were there any incidents leading to work stoppages (LTIFR). (The median performance benchmarking on LTIFR for the industry group is 0.86*).
Fatal accidents:
- Employees: 0 cases
- Contractors: 1 case
- The total working hours in 2024 amounted to 13,185,416 hours.
- Employees: 2,649,780 hours
- Contractors: 10,535,636 hours
