Intensified occupational safety, health drive in workplaces up

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

THE Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) of the Department of Labor and Employment was tasked “to harness occupational safety and health (OSH) network across the country to ensure a sustained and unrelenting campaign for safety and health in all construction sites.”

This network, which includes safety practitioners and safety training organizations (STOs), would help the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) achieve its target of 'zero' accident in all construction workplaces.

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In her order, Dole Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz explained Monday the need to be relentless in advocating and training for safety and health in all workplaces and not only in construction sites.

She also directed all Dole regional offices and the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) “to enforce without let-up and moment of delay occupational health and safety standards as well as corrective safety and health measures to ensure that mishaps in construction workplaces are avoided and mitigated and that workers are well-protected.”

She said the Dole cannot compromise on the health and safety of workers. “There is a need for every stakeholder to share in the work of instilling a culture of health and safety in all workplaces. We need our partner-agencies to join us in the effort towards a holistic and effective implementation of all health and safety policies and programs.”

Dole also already signed a memorandum of agreement with the departments of Public Works and Highways, Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Government, Construction Manpower Development Foundation, Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board and the Professional Regulation Commission in line with this effort.

DPWH committed to direct all building officials in local government units to include the Dole-approved Construction Safety and Health Program (CSHP) in the requirements for the issuance of a building permit; for the DILG to reiterate the requirements of Dole Department Order 13-1998 on the CSHP; and DTI to offer a one-day orientation seminar for prospective construction workers on the hazards in construction work.

PCAB, meanwhile, would embark on a program to instill a culture of safety and health among contractors and to submit to the BWC a list of licensed contractors as well as a list of those whose licenses have been revoked; and for the PRC, through its professional regulatory boards (PRBs), to conduct ocular inspection and monitoring of technical and professional standards in the practice of the professions. (CGC)