MALOLOS CITY -- Some 104 members of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers Dealers Association, Inc. (PPMDAI) - Bocaue Chapter have recently undergone a Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Seminar.
The seminar was held in light of the October 12 fireworks store explosion that razed fire gutting down 10 commercial establishments in Bocaue town killing two, injuring 24 others.
The four-day seminar, initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), and Local Government of Bocaue, was held at the town’s covered court.
Other agencies present to extend technical assistance include the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Prior to the seminar, the local government has already ordered the suspension of all activities of all pyrotechnic companies operating in Bocaue town right after the unforeseen incident.
Aside from this, DOLE Regional Director Ana Dione ordered the Dole Bulacan Field Office to coordinate with the OSHC to conduct an Accident Investigation.
DOLE Bulacan Field Office head May Lynn Gozun said that the Dole and OSHC have noted some violations of OSH standards based on its investigation.
“The team found out that certain components to manufacture firecrackers such as Potassium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Sulfate Powder, and Barium Sulfate, among others at the Gina Gonzales Fireworks (were the explosion happened) were not stored properly which may have caused the fire when they were exposed to water brought by past rains and that none of the staff at the time of the incident knew how to operate their existing fire extinguisher,” Gozun explained, adding:
“The required storage room, depending on the weight of the explosives, under Rule 1146 of the OSHS were not met and that the establishment also may have violated Section 2 of Rule XV of the 2012 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration and Enforcement of RA 7183.”
“We are holding this seminar for the association as part of the requirements of all its member-companies should they wish to operate again but on strict adherence to occupational safety and health standards,” Gozun said.
Bocaue Mayor Hon. Joni Villanueva, in her welcome address, urged the association to seize the learning opportunities of safety and health and practices at the workplace.
“The DOLE and OSHC are here to share their expertise on occupational safety and health. We do not want the unfortunate incident which happened over a month ago to repeat itself because of ignorance and neglect. We are hoping for your full cooperation and desire to learn various health and safety practices which can be applied in the fireworks industry,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva also urged the association to evade from manufacturing and selling any form of illegal or un-approved firecrackers or pyrotechnics which may have faulty issues.
The association was also assured that the suspension of operations for both manufacturers and retailers will be lifted by the local government after undergoing the seminar.
Labor Laws Compliance Officer Dante Regala kicked-off the seminar with an overview of OSH Legislations, Administration, and Enforcement and General Labor Standards (GLS).
OHSC-accredited resource speakers Rosanna Tubelonia, Dexter Alister Bacani, Jovertlee Pudan, and Rodelia Distor, representing OSHMS360 Corporation, took turns in discussing various OSH modules.
Pertinent OSH topics discussed include Fundamentals of Safety Management, OH Hazard Recognition and Identification, Assessment and Control, Types of Hazards, Electrical and Fire Safety, Behavior Motivation, and Emergency Preparedness.
Other important topics discussed include Work Safety Inspection, Accident Causation Theories, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, Materials Handling and Storage, Machine Safety, Job Hazard Analysis, Personal Protective Equipment, and Accident Communication.
Meanwhile, DTI Bulacan Chief Jack Fulido, who discussed about Product Standards, said that firecracker retailers can only sell pyrotechnic products with the “P.S. Mark.”
“The DTI only allows retailers to sell pyrotechnic products with the P.S. Mark on them otherwise it will be compelled to confiscate products which do not have this seal during our rounds of product inspection visits,” Fulido explained.
Lastly, Bocaue PNP Chief Inspector Alfredo Dulay discussed Republic Act 7183, otherwise known as An act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
As of press time, the local government has already lifted the suspension for the firecracker manufacturers and dealers provided that they would strictly adhere to all industry standards. (Jerry Borja/Dole-3 LCO)