Liberty Mutual’s Research Institute for Safety (LMRIS) announced today the establishment of The Liberty Mutual SafeWork Collaborating Center at the National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health (NIOEH).

Located inside the NOEH, the main objectives of the Centre will be to contribute to the promotion of workplace safety for Vietnamese workers, and the improvement of productivity and efficiency of Vietnamese industries in order to help prevent the social burdens associated with occupational injuries.

Workplace safety is still a major concern in Vietnam, with close to 6,000 work-related accidents resulting in 536 deaths and 6,088 occupational injuries in 2006 according to statistics released by the Ministry of Industry & Ministry of Labor, War Invalids & Social Affairs. 

Under the cooperation agreement between the National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health and Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, LMRIS will support the Centre with operational funding worth $150,000 over an initial three-year commitment.  LMRIS will also provide essential academic and technical exchange and support, including access to all LMRIS scientific publications, experimental and research facilities and laboratories to Vietnamese researchers.

Internationally recognized, the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety is the only occupational health and safety research facility owned and operated by an insurance company. 

“Workplace safety is the foremost concern of both employees and employers,” said Thomas O’Dore, President and General Director of Liberty Insurance, a member of Liberty Mutual Group which began selling individual and commercial lines insurance in Vietnam last week.  “The benefits of workplace safety go far beyond a company’s bottom line.  Preventing work-related injuries not only helps companies avoid the significant costs associated with on-the-job injuries, such as payment to injured workers, loss of productivity and overtime costs, but also saves employees from real pain and hardship, thereby increasing overall workers’ loyalty and job satisfaction level.

We are delighted with the cooperation agreement with Liberty,” said Professor Nguyen Khac Hai, NIOEH Director.  “The vast experience and resources of Liberty in this area makes it a unique opportunity for us to conduct research on workplace safety in Vietnam on a larger scale and jointly develop solutions to reducing accidents in the workplace.

Liberty Mutual opened its representative office in August 2003 and was a sponsor for the First International Scientific Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health held in Hanoi in November 2003.  It was the first step in their new relationship with the National Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health, the Vietnam Occupational Health Association and the Department for Occupational Safety under MoLISA.  Liberty Mutual representatives also participated in the 6th National Safety Week Workshop on Occupational Safety and Health for Small Enterprises in Can Tho in 2004 and the First National Conference on Accident and Injury in 2005. In March 2004, Liberty Mutual announced its intention to conduct initial research initiatives in Vietnam on reducing occupational injuries in the construction industry.

Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group (LMG) is a leading global insurer and sixth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. whose largest line of business is private passenger automobile.  As of December 31, 2006, LMG had $23.5 billion in annual consolidated revenue and $85.5 billion in assets.  The Company ranks as one of the 100 largest corporations in the United States.LMG (www.libertymutual.com) employs over 39,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

Liberty received a license to operate a general insurance company in Vietnam – Liberty Insurance Limited – on 16 November 2006 in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, providing home, auto, travel and health insurance to individuals and property, liability, marine cargo and commercial auto to small to medium size enterprises throughout Vietnam.

Liberty Mutual Group has had a presence in Vietnam since 2003 when it opened its first representative office in Hanoi.  As a leading global insurer, Liberty Mutual’s presence in Vietnam is one of long term commitment with dedicated resources to help people protect their companies and their families with our locally customized insurance products.