Inspect steamers, ministry tells factories

The Labor and Vocational Training Ministry has instructed all garment, textile and footwear factory owners to ensure all steam irons adhere to safety regulations to prevent explosions like the one last month that killed one garment worker. In an announcement by Labor Minister Ith Samheng dated April 3, the minister told all factory owners to equip each steam iron with a security system in accordance with standard regulations and to ensure that safety measures are put into place before operating the device. “Arrange for regular risk assessments of the steamer by experts to prevent the risk of explosion and to provide workers adequate protection,” he said. The announcement also called on employers to regularly service their steamers as the water levels, pressure and temperature needed to be constantly monitored. Those servicing the device also needed to be adequately skilled and be properly trained.

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