Companies which make mechanical and electrical appliances will next year face laws that require their technicians to obtain safety certification when installing the goods, says the Department of Skill Development's director-general, ML Puntrik Smiti.
The requirement is part of an update to the 2002 Skill Development Promotion Act which aims to vet staff assigned to install equipment and ensure they have the necessary skills to perform their duties safely.
ML Puntrik said the act will authorise the Labour Ministry to draw up a list of procedures that require specific expertise or are deemed dangerous and make sure that staff have undergone necessary training before providing their services.
Those who pass the test will be granted certification, which will be valid for a period of two years.
If employees without certification perform services on the Labour Ministry's list, they will be fined 5,000 baht.
Their employers will also be punished with a fine of 30,000 baht. Repeat offenders will keep accruing fines.
"The act is expected to be enforced in March next year," ML Puntrik added.
Labour authorities are working out the details of the law after it was approved by the National Legislative Assembly.
They are preparing to hold talks with business operators about which types of goods or services should be covered by the act.
The Thai Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Association initially agreed with the move to ensure safety for both workers and customers, but said it still needs to discuss the details further.
Businesses that may need to have their staff undergo the test are likely to be in the fields of electricity, air conditioning and welding.
"Their services can be dangerous and we need to set safety standards for them," ML Puntrik said.
A centre to test employees' capabilities, envisaged under the law, would also be raised.
The Labour Ministry said it would like to see both state and private institutions playing a role in checking and certifying the knowledge of their staff, she said.
"This law will eventually benefit everyone," ML Puntrik said.
It will help decrease the number of accidents that put the safety of employers, employees and consumers at risk.
The aim of the new law is to put an end to the losses that can be easily prevented through enforcement of better working standards, she said.
ML Puntrik said she is looking forward to the wider impacts of the law, believing it will not only be met with positive responses in Thailand, but further afield also.
The measure will see Thailand enjoy benefits in the world market, she said. Other countries will have more confidence in Thai products and services.
This will strengthen the country's competitiveness overseas, ML Puntrik said.