C HA P TER 4

T H AND SAFET Y
CUPATI O NAL H EAL
OC
WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY?

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OHS) IS A CONCEPT THAT AFFECTS EVERY ORGANIZATION, BUT YOU
NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE BASICS IN ORDER TO INFORM YOUR SAFETY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
EFFECTIVELY.
OHS, OR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY PRACTICE DEALING WITH ALL
ASPECTS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE, WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON PREVENTING
WORKPLACE HAZARDS.
THE ENJOYMENT OF THESE STANDARDS IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT THAT SHOULD BE AFFORDED TO EACH
AND EVERY WORKER, REGARDLESS OF THE NATURE OF THEIR WORK. WITH OHS STANDARDS IN PLACE,
WORKERS ARE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN A SAFE AND SECURE WORKING
ENVIRONMENT, FREE FROM HAZARDS.
THE BEST PART IS THAT YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO HIRE SOMEONE NEW TO DO THE JOB. YOU CAN INVEST IN
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND TRAINING FOR YOUR CURRENT STAFF.
OSH LAW (RA11058)
REINFORCING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS IN PHILIPPINE WORKPLACES THROUGH RA 11058

SAFE WORK PROCEDURES ENSURE BETTER PRODUCTIVITY AS WELL AS JOB SECURITY, AND THESE ARE
NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER IN THE MIDST OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) PANDEMIC.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKERS IN THE PHILIPPINES ARE PROMOTED AND PROTECTED BY REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 11058 OR AN “AN ACT STRENGTHENING COMPLIANCE WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
(OSH) STANDARDS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF.”
IT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE IN AUGUST 2018. THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) RELEASED THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) IN DECEMBER 2018
UPON THE APPROVAL OF LABOR SECRETARY SILVESTRE H. BELLO III.

THE OSH LAW PROVIDES THAT EACH FILIPINO WORKER IS PROTECTED AGAINST INJURY, SICKNESS OR
DEATH THROUGH SAFE AND HEALTHFUL WORKING CONDITIONS AND THAT EMPLOYERS MUST PROMOTE
STRICT BUT DYNAMIC, INCLUSIVE, AND GENDER-SENSITIVE MEASURES IN THE FORMULATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.
 IT APPLIES TO ALL ESTABLISHMENTS, PROJECTS, SITES, INCLUDING PHILIPPINE ECONOMIC ZONE
AUTHORITY (PEZA) ESTABLISHMENTS, AND ALL OTHER WORKPLACES. THE EXPOSURE TO SAFETY AND
HEALTH HAZARDS IS THE BASIS FOR HAVING HIGH RISK ESTABLISHMENTS, MEDIUM RISK
ESTABLISHMENTS, AND LOW RISK ESTABLISHMENTS.
ALL COVERED WORKPLACES MUST HAVE AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY HEALTH
(OSH) PROGRAM THAT IS APPROVED BY THE DOLE.
THE OSH PROGRAM MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
i. ACCIDENT/INCIDENT/ILLNESS INVESTIGATION, RECORDING AND
a. STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO COMPLY WITH OSH REQUIREMENTS; REPORTING;

b. GENERAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, INCLUDING A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE; j. PROVISION AND USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE);

c. HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) AND ACQUIRED IMMUNE k. PROVISION OF SAFETY SIGNAGE;
DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)/TUBERCULOSIS/HEPATITIS l. DUST CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT, AND REGULATIONS ON
PREVENTION CONTROL; ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BUILDING OF TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, AND
d. COMPANY OR PROJECT DETAILS; LIFTING AND OPERATION OF ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL,
e. COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF THE SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE; COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT;

f. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES; m. PROVISION OF WORKERS' WELFARE FACILITIES;

g. SAFETY AND HEALTH PROMOTION, TRAINING AND EDUCATION; n. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN;

h. CONDUCT OF TOOLBOX MEETINGS; o. WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; AND

THE DOLE REQUIRES ALL SAFETY AND HEALTH PERSONNEL TO UNDERGO MANDATORY TRAINING ON BASIC
OSH FOR SAFETY OFFICERS. IT ALSO REQUIRES ALL WORKERS TO UNDERGO THE MANDATORY 8-HOUR
SAFETY AND HEALTH SEMINAR THAT MUST HAVE A JOINT EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION.
MEANWHILE, THE OSH LAW OUTLINES THE DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS,
CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS, AND THOSE WHO MANAGE, CONTROL,
OR SUPERVISE WORK:
1. FURNISH THE WORKERS A PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT FREE FROM 4. USE ONLY APPROVED DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE WORKPLACE;
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS THAT ARE CAUSING OR ARE LIKELY TO
CAUSE DEATH, ILLNESS OR PHYSICAL HARM TO THE WORKERS;
5. COMPLY WITH OSH STANDARDS INCLUDING TRAINING MEDICAL
EXAMINATION AND WHERE NECESSARY, PROVISION OF PROTECTIVE
2. GIVE COMPLETE JOB SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS OR ORIENTATION AND SAFETY DEVICES SUCH AS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
TO ALL THE WORKERS ESPECIALLY TO THOSE ENTERING THE JOB (PPE) AND MACHINE GUARDS;
FOR THE FIRST TIME, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO 6. ALLOW WORKERS AND THEIR SAFETY AND HEALTH REPRESENTATIVES
FAMILIARIZATION WITH THEIR WORK ENVIRONMENT; TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING,
3. INFORM THE WORKERS OF THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH
PROGRAM TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE; AND
THEIR WORK HEALTH RISKS INVOLVED OT TO WHICH THEY ARE
EXPOSED TO, PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE OR 7. PROVIDE, WHERE NECESSARY, FOR MEASURES TO DEAL WITH
MINIMIZE THE RISKS, AND STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES AND ACCIDENTS INCLUDING FIRST-AID
ARRANGEMENTS.
EMERGENCY;
 WORKERS ALSO HAVE DUTIES SUCH AS FOLLOWING THE OSH STANDARDS, USING THE
PPES AND OTHER SAFETY DEVICES, AND REPORTING WORK HAZARDS TO THE
SUPERVISOR.
THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS OF WORKERS ARE INDICATED IN THE OSH LAW:
1. WORKERS' RIGHT TO KNOW. - THE RIGHT TO SAFETY AND HEALTH 3. WORKERS' RIGHT TO REPORT ACCIDENTS. - WORKERS AND THEIR
AT WORK SHALL BE GUARANTEED. ALL WORKERS SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REPORT ACCIDENTS,
APPROPRIATELY INFORMED BY THE EMPLOYER ABOUT ALL TYPES OF DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES, AND HAZARDS TO THE EMPLOYER, TO
HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE, AND PROVIDED ACCESS TO THE DOLE, AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
TRAINING AND EDUCATION ON CHEMICAL SAFETY, ELECTRICAL EXERCISING JURISDICTION AS THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY IN THE
SAFETY MECHANICAL SAFETY, AND ERGONOMICALLY SAFETY. SPECIFIC INDUSTRY OR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

2. WORKERS' RIGHT TO REFUSE UNSAFE WORK. - THE WORKER HAS 4. WORKERS' RIGHT TO PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE). -
THE RIGHT OF REFUSAL TO WORK WITHOUT THREAT OR REPRISAL EVERY EMPLOYER, CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR, IF ANY,
FROM THE EMPLOYER IF, AS DETERMINED BY THE DOLE, AN SHALL PROVIDE HIS WORKERS, FREE OF CHARGE, PROTECTIVE
IMMINENT DANGER SITUATION EXISTS IN THE WORKPLACE THAT EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR EYES, FACE, HANDS AND FEET, AND FREE, AND
MAY RESULT IN ILLNESS, INJURY, OR DEATH, AND CORRECTIVE LIFELINE, SAFETY BELT OR HARNESS, GAS OR DUST RESPIRATORS
ACTIONS TO ELIMINATE THE DANGER HAVE NOT BEEN UNDERTAKEN OR MASKS, PROTECTIVE SHIELDS WHENEVER NECESSARY BY
BY THE EMPLOYER. REASON OF THE HAZARDOUS WORK PROCESS OR ENVIRONMENT.
THE LABOR SECRETARY AND HIS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE THE OSH LAW
IN ALL ESTABLISHMENTS AND CONDUCT INSPECTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND ANNUAL SPOT AUDITS.

EMPLOYERS WHO VIOLATE THE OSH LAW MAY BE FINED PHP 100,000 PER DAY OF NON-COMPLIANCE. THE COLLECTED
FINES WILL BE USED FOR THE CONDUCT OF OSH TRAINING SESSIONS, EDUCATION, AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

FOR FURTHER REFERENCE, CLICK REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11058 FOR THE FULL TEXT AND DOLE DEPARTMENT ORDER NO.
198 FOR ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS.
MAINTAINING YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE
WORKPLACE
AS AN EMPLOYEE, WE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU’RE HEALTHY, YOU’RE HAPPIER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE. WHILE
SOME JOBS, LIKE CONSTRUCTION, HAVE OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, IT ISN’T WISE TO ASSUME THAT IF YOU
CLOCK TIME AT A DESK JOB YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

MANY PROFESSIONS GO HAND-IN-HAND WITH STRESS, SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AND OTHER UNHEALTHY
HABITS THAT CAN TAKE THEIR TOLL ON YOU BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. SO, WHETHER YOU WORK
FROM HOME OR KEEP BUSY WITH A MANUAL LABOR JOB, IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO TO
MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE A SAFER, HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON STAYING HEALTHY AND INJURY-FREE IN THE WORKPLACE:

1. CORRECT YOUR POSTURE. IF YOU WORK FROM A DESK, LIKE MANY EMPLOYEES DO, IT’S IMPORTANT TO
SIT WITH A CORRECT POSTURE TO AVOID DEALING WITH FUTURE BACK PAIN. KEEPING YOUR
SHOULDERS IN LINE WITH YOUR HIPS, ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF YOUR CHAIR SO YOUR KNEES ARE
LEVEL WITH YOUR HIPS AND POSITIONING YOUR WRISTS AND HANDS SO THEY SIT AT ELBOW LEVEL
WHEN YOU’RE TYPING ARE ALL WAYS YOU CAN ENSURE CORRECT DESK POSTURE.

2. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. THIS TIP REQUIRES KNOWING THE PARTICULAR HAZARDS OF
YOUR JOB. ASSUMING YOU KNOW THE RISKS INVOLVED, KEEP CLEAR OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS
AREAS AND SITUATIONS. ALWAYS BE ALERT AND CAUTIOUS WHEN WORKING MACHINERY.
3. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS. MANY WORK-RELATED INJURIES TAKE PLACE WHEN A WORKER IS TIRED OR
BURNED OUT. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS AND GO FOR A QUICK WALK TO HELP YOU STAY FRESH ON THE
JOB. TACKLING YOUR MOST DIFFICULT, TIME-CONSUMING TASKS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WHEN
CONCENTRATION IS HIGH CAN ALSO HELP.

4. REPORT UNSAFE CONDITIONS. IT’S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO INFORM YOUR SUPERVISOR ABOUT ANY
WORKPLACE SAFETY HAZARDS OR RISKS. YOUR EMPLOYER IS LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO ENSURE THEIR
EMPLOYEES HAVE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND SHOULD TAKE CARE OF ANY UNSAFE
CONDITIONS.
5. WEAR THE CORRECT SAFETY EQUIPMENT. IF YOU PERFORM TASKS AT WORK THAT REQUIRE SAFETY
EQUIPMENT, BE SURE TO WEAR WHAT’S REQUIRED TO AVOID INJURY. DEPENDING ON THE JOB,
EQUIPMENT LIKE EARPLUGS, HARD HATS, GLOVES OR SAFETY GOGGLES CAN GREATLY REDUCE THE RISK
OF WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS.

6. REDUCE WORKPLACE STRESS. SOME AMOUNT OF STRESS ON THE JOB IS COMMON, BUT BE CAREFUL
NOT TO LET IT GET OUT OF HAND. TOO MUCH WORK-RELATED STRESS CAN LEAD TO AN UNHEALTHY
ENVIRONMENT. CONSIDER TAKING YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR WORKPLACE STRESS TO YOUR
SUPERVISOR TO SEE HOW THEY MIGHT HELP YOU ADDRESS THEM.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

END.