Even though codes of conduct have been in force for some time, health and safety violations are prevalent throughout the industry in Thailand. Occupational health and safety has only recently been discussed and improved. Many manufacturers still seem to think that it is acceptable for workers in stitching lines to have their hands cut by sewing needles, for workers in the pressing line to be struck by heavy machines, and workers in assembly lines to have solvent spit into their eyes. Every day, workers complain of rashes, headaches, stomachaches, and nausea. Medical check-ups attract queues of hundreds of workers.
Serious accidents are also common.
Most management turns a blind eye as they do with many other such occupational health and safety issues. Workers in the Bangkok Rubber Group factory were applying Toluene, a carcinogen, with bare hands. With Nike's focus on the environment, Bangkok Rubber Sena 1 factory, its manufacturer, thought it necessary to install waterfalls in the factories, at great expense, after Nike suggested the factory appearance needed improvement. Innovation Nakornlaug plowed significant funds into a beautiful orchid garden at their factory to please Reebok and Adidas. While the Wongpaitoon Footwear Company claims that they have spent more money in improving the factories' working environment than any other manufacturers, the Rungsit Footwear factory is better designed.