Introduction To Occupational Safety And Health Flashcards
is vital for protecting workers and ensuring productive workplaces.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
Preventing workplace accidents, injuries, and fatalities through risk assessment and control measures.
Safety
Promoting worker well-being by addressing
occupational diseases, ergonomics, and mental health.
Health
Integrating safety and health practices into all aspects of work processes and environments.
Holistic Approach
THE IMPORTANCE OF OSH IN PHILIPPINE
WORKPLACE
- Workplace Protection
- Legal Compliance
- Productivity Boost
- Reputation Management
Safeguards employees from workplace hazards,
reducing injuries and illnesses.
Worker Protection
Ensures adherence to Philippine labor laws and
international OSH standards.
Legal Compliance
Enhances workplace efficiency by minimizing
disruptions caused by accidents or health issues.
Productivity Boost
Improves company image, attracting skilled workers and fostering positive public perception.
Reputation Management
EARLY DEVELOPMENTS IN PHILIPPINE OSH
- 1903: First Labor Law
- 1936: Commonwealth Act No. 103
- 1957: RA 1054
The Philippines introduces its first labor law under American colonial rule.
1903: First Labor Law
Establishes the Court of Industrial Relations,
addressing labor disputes and safety concerns.
1936: Commonwealth Act No. 103
Creates the Institute of Occupational Health
and Safety, pioneering OSH research.
1957: RA 1054
OSH MILESTONES IN POST-INDEPENDENCE
PHILIPPINES
- 1974: Labor Code
- 1978: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
- 1987: Philippine Constitution
- 2018: RA 11058
Comprehensive labor law incorporating OSH
provisions is enacted.
1974: Labor Code
DOLE issues detailed OSH guidelines for various
industries.
1978: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Enshrines workers’ rights to safe and healthy
working conditions.
1987: Philippine Constitution
Strengthens compliance with OSH standards
across all industries.
2018: RA 11058
Key Players in Philippine OSH
- DOLE
- Employers
- Employees
- OSHC
oversees OSH policy implementation.
DOLE
Responsible for maintaining safe workplaces
and providing OSH training.
Employers
Participate in OSH programs and report
workplace hazards.
Employees
conducts research and training.
OSHC (Occupational Safety and Health Center)
Current OSH Challenges in the Philippines
- Informal Sector
- Emerging Risk
- Enforcement
Ensuring OSH compliance in unregulated
workplaces remains difficult. Many workers lack
proper protection.
Informal Sector
New technologies and work arrangements
introduce unforeseen hazards. Continuous
adaptation is crucial.
Emerging Risks
Limited resources hinder thorough inspections
and implementation. Strengthening
mechanisms is necessary.
Enforcement
Signed into law in 1974, establishing
fundamental labor rights and regulations
ENACTMENT of Presidential Decree No. 442: Labor Code of the Philippines
Governs employment relationships, working
conditions, and labor dispute resolution.
establishments with specific criteria.
COVERAGE of Presidential Decree No. 442: Labor Code of the Philippines
Regularly updated to address evolving labor
market needs and international standards.
AMENDMENTS of Presidential Decree No. 442: Labor Code of the Philippines
Key Provisions of the Labor Code
- Employment Standards
- Labor Relations
- Social Welfare
- Dispute Resolution
Regulates working hours, wages, and leave
benefits for employees.
Employment Standards
Outlines rules for unionization, collective
bargaining, and strike procedures.
Enforcement
Labor Relations
Mandates social security, health insurance, and
other worker protections.
Social Welfare
Establishes mechanisms for settling labor-
management conflicts fairly and efficiently.
Dispute Resolution
Signed into law in 2018, strengthening
workplace safety regulations.
ENACTMENT of RA 11058: Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act
Covers all establishments, projects, sites, and
workplaces in all branches of economic activity.
SCOPE of RA 11058: Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act
Empowers DOLE to conduct inspections and
impose penalties for violations.
ENFORCEMENT of RA 11058: Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act
Aims to reduce work-related accidents and
promote a culture of safety.
IMPACT of RA 11058: Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act
Key Provisions of RA 11058
Workers must be informed about workplace
hazards and safety measures.
Requires appointment of safety officers in
establishments with specific criteria.
Mandates regular safety and health training for
workers.
Establishes a system for reporting work-related
injuries and illnesses.
ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE)
- Policy Formulation
- Enforcement
- Mediation
- Research
Develops and implements national labor and
employment policies.
Policy Formulation
Ensures compliance with labor laws through
inspections and dispute resolution.
Enforcement
Facilitates settlement of labor disputes between
employers and employees.
Mediation
Conducts studies on labor market trends and
recommends policy improvements
Research
play a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being of workers across industries in the Philippines.
OSH standards and regulations
Key Components of General OSH Standards
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Emergency Preparedness
- Hazard Communication
- Health Monitoring
Guidelines for the appropriate selection, use,
and maintenance of PPE across various
industries to safeguard workers from job-
related hazards and risks.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Requirements for establishing emergency
response plans, evacuation procedures, and
regular drills to help organizations effectively
handle potential workplace crises and
emergencies.
Emergency Preparedness
Standards for the proper labeling of hazardous
materials and substances, the availability of
safety data sheets, and the provision of
employee training to enhance their
understanding of workplace hazards.
Hazard Communication
Protocols for regular health check-ups, medical
surveillance, and the maintenance of
comprehensive employee health records to
proactively address any health concerns arising
from work-related activities.
Health Monitoring
Workplace Environment Standards
- Indoor Air Quality
- Noise Control
- Ergonomics
Regulations on ventilation systems, air
filtration, and monitoring of indoor air
pollutants to ensure a healthy breathing
environment for workers
Indoor Air Quality
Examples of Indoor Air Quality
- Regular air quality assessments
- Proper ventilation maintenance
- Control of airborne contaminants
- Standards for acceptable noise levels, hearing
protection requirements, and implementation
of noise reduction measures in noisy work
environments.
Noise Control
Examples of Noise Control
Noise level monitoring
Hearing conservation programs
Engineering controls for noise reduction
- Guidelines for workstation design, proper
posture, and equipment usage to prevent
musculoskeletal disorders and promote worker
comfort.
Ergonomics
Examples of Ergonomics
Ergonomic assessments
Adjustable furniture and equipment
Training on proper ergonomic practices
Industry-Specific OSH Standards: Healthcare Sector
- Infection Control Protocols
- Sharps Safety
- Patient Handling
- Radiation Safety
Stringent guidelines for hand hygiene, personal
protective equipment usage, and proper
disposal of contaminated materials to prevent
the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
Infection Control Protocols
Specific regulations on the handling, use, and
disposal of needles and other sharp objects to minimize the risk of needlestick injuries and
bloodborne pathogen exposure.
Sharps Safety
Standards for safe patient lifting and transfer
techniques, including the use of assistive
devices, to prevent musculoskeletal injuries
among healthcare workers.
Patient Handling
Protocols for the safe use of diagnostic imaging
equipment, proper shielding, and monitoring of
radiation exposure levels for healthcare
professionals working with radiological devices.
Radiation Safety
Types of Hazards to Filipino Nurses
- Biological Hazard
- Chemical
- Ergonomic
- Psychological
- Proper PPE use, vaccination requirements, and
regular training help nurses stay safe from
infectious diseases.
Biological Hazards
- Safe medication handling, ventilation, and
specialized equipment protect nurses from
harmful chemicals.
Chemical Hazards
- Safe patient handling techniques and
ergonomic equipment reduce the risk of
musculoskeletal injuries.
Ergonomic Hazards
- Stress management, violence prevention, and
employee assistance programs address the
mental health needs of nurses.
Psychological Hazards
Industry-Specific OSH Standards: Construction Sector
- Fall Protection
- Scaffolding Safety
- Heavy Machinery Operation
- Excavation and Trenching
- Comprehensive guidelines for working at
heights, including the use of guardrails, safety
nets, and personal fall arrest systems to prevent
fall-related injuries and fatalities.
Fall Protection
- Detailed regulations for the design,
construction, and use of scaffolding, ensuring
stability and proper access for workers on
elevated platforms.
Scaffolding Safety
- Standards for the safe operation of construction
equipment, including training requirements,
maintenance protocols, and safety features for
heavy machinery.
Heavy Machinery Operation
- Specific rules for soil analysis, protective
systems, and safe entry procedures to prevent
cave-ins and other hazards associated with
excavation work.
Excavation and Trenching
Industry-Specific OSH Satndards: Manufacturing Sector
- Machine Guarding
- Robotics and Automation Safety
- Chemical Process Safety
- Strict requirements for protective barriers and
devices on machinery to prevent worker
contact with hazardous moving parts, reducing
the risk of injuries and amputations.
Machine Guarding
- Guidelines for the safe integration of robotic
systems in manufacturing processes, including
risk assessments, safety zones, and emergency
stop procedures.
Robotics and Automation Safety
- Comprehensive standards for the handling,
storage, and processing of hazardous chemicals,
including process safety management and
emergency response planning.
Chemical Process Safety
Enforcement of OSH Standards in the Philippines
- DOLE Inspection
- Safety Offucer System
- Reporting Mechanism
- Penalties and Sanctions
The Department of Labor and Employment
conducts regular workplace inspections to
ensure compliance with OSH standards and
identify potential violations.
DOLE Inspection
Requirement for businesses to appoint qualified safety officers who oversee the implementation of OSH programs and conduct internal audits.
Safety Officer System
Establishment of channels for workers to report
OSH violations anonymously, protecting
whistleblowers from retaliation.
Reporting Mechanisms
Implementation of fines, operational
suspensions, and legal actions against
companies that fail to comply with OSH
standards.
Penalties and Sanctions
Compliance Mechanisms for OSH Standards
- Training and Education
- Documentation and Record-Keeping
- Safety Committees
- Continuous Improvement
Mandatory OSH training programs for workers
and management to ensure awareness of safety
protocols and best practices. This includes initial
orientation for new employees and regular
refresher courses.
Training and Education
Requirement for businesses to maintain
detailed records of OSH-related activities,
including incident reports, training logs, and
equipment maintenance records for audit
purposes.
Documentation and Record-Keeping
Establishment of joint labor-management safety committees to promote collaboration in
identifying and addressing workplace hazards
and OSH concerns.
Safety Committees
Implementation of management systems that
encourage ongoing evaluation and
enhancement of OSH practices.
Continuous Improvement
Challenges in OSH Implementation
- Resource Constraints
- Cultural Barriers
- Enforcement Gaps
Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in
the Philippines face financial and personnel
limitations in fully implementing OSH standards.
This can lead to inadequate safety measures
and increased workplace risks.
Resource Constraints
Example of Resource Constraints
Limited budget for safety equipment
Lack of dedicated safety personnel
Insufficient training resources
Traditional work practices and cultural attitudes
sometimes conflict with modern OSH standards,
making it challenging to change long-standing
behaviors and perceptions about workplace
safety.
Cultural Barriers
Examples of Cultural Barriers
Resistance to wearing PPE
“It won’t happen to me” mentality
Prioritizing productivity over safety
Limited government resources for inspection
and enforcement can result in inconsistent
application of OSH standards across industries
and regions, potentially leaving some workers
vulnerable.
Enforcement Gaps
Examples of Enforcement Gaps
Insufficient number of inspectors
Difficulties in reaching remote
workplaces
Corruption and bribery issues