On 1 May 2026, Thailand’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare issued a new Notification on Statements of Employers’ and Employees’ Rights and Duties, Hazard Warning Symbols and Safety Signs relating to Occupational Safety, Health and Working Environment. The notification was published in the Royal Gazette on 1 May 2026 and will take effect 60 days later, on 1 July 2026. It revokes and replaces the previous notification dated 11 November 2011. The notification is issued under section 17 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Environment Act B.E. 2554 (2011), which empowers the Labour Department to mandate warnings and statements to promote workplace safety.
Key Features
The new notification advances Thailand’s occupational safety framework and aligns with international standards. Major elements include:
Broadened duty of care
✓ Expanded scope of protection. Employers’ obligations now extend beyond preventing physical injury or accidental death to protecting employees’ mental well‑being, overall health and working conditions. Employers must maintain safe and hygienic workplaces, promptly rectify hazardous conditions and provide appropriate safety manuals and training when employees commence work, change roles or operate new machinery.
✓ Cost burden on employers. The notification expressly prohibits transferring the costs of compliance—including personal protective equipment (PPE) and mandatory training—to employees. These expenses must be borne by the employer.
Employee rights to refuse dangerous work
✓ Right to remove oneself from danger. Employees have an explicit right to remove themselves from, or refuse to work in, conditions they reasonably believe may endanger life or health if the employer has not provided adequate safety measures. This right reflects Article 13 of ILO Convention No. 155 and means employees need not wait until an accident occurs before taking steps to protect themselves.
Posting of rights, duties and safety signs
✓ Mandatory statement of rights and duties. Employers must display a statement at the workplace showing the rights and duties of employers and employees regarding occupational safety, health and environment. The statement must follow the wording prescribed by the notification.
✓ Hazard warning symbols and safety signs. Employers must post hazard warning symbols and safety signs that are appropriate for the working conditions. Signs must comply with recognized standards, including Thai Industrial Standards, ISO, EN, AS/NZS, ANSI, JIS, NIOSH, OSHA, KSA or equivalent standards. Using internationally recognized symbols helps ensure that employees, contractors and visitors—including foreign workers—can understand workplace risks.
✓ Industries affected. These requirements are particularly relevant for factories, warehouses, construction sites and multinational operations using imported machinery or international safety systems.
Compliance Considerations
1. Effective date and transitional period. The notification takes effect 1 July 2026, 60 days after its publication. Businesses should not delay in reviewing and updating their safety policies, as failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions once the notification is in force.
2. Review existing safety frameworks. Employers should audit existing workplace notices, PPE policies, safety manuals, training records, operating procedures and hazard communications. Ensure supervisors understand the updated requirements and are empowered to enforce them.
3. Update signage and training. Replace or supplement current warning signs with symbols that meet recognized international standards. Provide training on employees’ right to refuse unsafe work and update orientation materials to include the prescribed statement of rights and duties.
4. Budget for compliance. While implementing standardized signage, mandatory training and the provision of PPE may increase operational costs, these measures are statutory obligations, not optional guidelines. The employer must bear these costs; they may not be passed on to employees.
5. Document compliance. Keep records of training sessions, signage installation and hazard assessments. Such documentation can be essential if labour inspectors or regulators audit compliance.
Implications
The new notification underscores Thailand’s commitment to strengthening occupational safety and bringing domestic practices closer to international standards. By broadening the employer’s duty of care, recognizing employees’ rights to avoid danger, and mandating standardized safety communications, the regulation aims to reduce workplace accidents and improve overall health. Employers operating in Thailand should act now to update their safety policies, signage and training programs before the 1 July 2026 effective date. Organizations with complex operations—such as manufacturing plants, logistics centers and construction projects—should pay particular attention to aligning their hazard signs with recognized international standards and ensuring that employees are aware of their rights and duties.
This update is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance tailored to your specific circumstances, please contact Mahanakorn Partners Group.