Thursday, March 01, 2007
Labor launches info drive in N. Mindanao
AN INTENSIFIED information package has been launched by the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) for workers of the private sector in Northern Mindanao.
"We would like to update the workers of the ECC policies and guidelines in determining a disability and see if the standards on occupational safety and health (OSH) are implemented in their workplaces to enhance productivity and sustain the momentum of growth in our economy," said Carmencita Lacambra of the ECC Information and Public Assistance Division.
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"These OSH standards should focus more on prevention to avoid accidents and other work-related illness that may result to a disability of the workers," Lacambra added during the Seminar-Workshop on Employees' Compensation held at Pearlmont Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City, recently.
Under PD 626, as amended, a disability arising from an ailment is considered work-connected if the illness is contracted due to the worker's nature of employment and if the following conditions are present:
Work condition
The employee's work must involve the risks or conditions described, the disease was contracted as a result of the employee's exposure to the described risks or within a period of exposure and under such other factors necessary to contract it and there was no notorious negligence on the part of the employee.
On the other hand, the employer must have provided adequate protective and safety devices, the failure of which will be subjected to the penalty imposed by Article 200 of the Labor Code.
Lacambra said the following diseases, among others, are considered occupational when contracted under working conditions involving the risks herein described:
Cancer, epithellomatous or ulceration of the skin or the corneal surface of the eye due to tar, pitch, bitumen, mineral oil or paraffin, or any compound product or residue of these substances due to use, handling of or exposure to such substances.
Cataract resulting from exposure to the glare of, or rays from molten glass or molten or red hot metal due to prolonged exposure to such substances and Deafness due to industrial operation having excessive noise, particularly, in the higher frequencies.
Decompression sickness, such as, Caissons disease and Aeroembolism due to any process carried on in compressed rarefied air and Dermatitis due to irritants and sensitizers resulting from the use or handling of chemical agents which are skin irritants.
Infections of Anthrax, Brucellosis, Glanders, Rabies Tularmia, Welli's Disease and Q-fever or equine encephalomyelitis due to working with animals, handling of animal carcass or parts, contaminated food and drink particularly milk, butter and cheese of infected goats and cows, rabid dogs or equine animals.
Tuberculosis by reason of employment in the medical treatment or nursing of person with tuberculosis, as a laboratory worker, pathologist or postmortem worker.
Ionizing radiation disease, inflammation, ulceration or malignant disease of skin or subcutaneous tissues of the bones or leukemia, or anemia of the aplastic type due to X-rays, ionizing particle, radium or other radioactive substances.
Poisoning caused by ammonia, arsenic or its toxic compound, Benzene, Beryllium, brass, zinc or nickel, Carbon Dioxide, Bisulfide and Monoxide, Chlorine, Chrome, Dinitrophenol, halogen derivatives of Hydrocarbon, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, nitrous fumes, Phosgene, Phosphorous and Sulfur Dioxide due to chemical exposure.
Pneumoconiosis or exposure to coal dust, Bysinosis or cotton dust, Bagassosis or sugar cane dust, Psittacosis for parrots, parakeets and other bird dust, Silicosis for silica and Asbestosis for certain asbestos particles.
Disease caused by abnormalities in temperature and humidity, such as heat stroke, cramps and exhaustion, chilblain, frostbite and freezing, immersion foot, general hypothermia, viral hepatitis, leukemia and lymphoma, cancer of the stomach and other lymphatic and blood forming vessels, nasal cavity and sinusitis, cancer of the lungs, liver and brain, Malaria, Schistosomiasis, Hernia, Bronchial Asthma, Osteoarthritis and Viral Encephalitis.
Meanwhile, she said Diabetes, Hypertension, Appendicitis and Gall Bladder ailments are not considered occupational and therefore not compensable under the Employees' Compensation Program. (Trends)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (March 1, 2007 issue)
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