Overview
This lecture covers key terms, legal provisions, and safety guidelines in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as mandated in the Philippines, particularly focusing on laws, standards, workplace practices, and safety roles.
Essential OSH Laws & Standards
- PD 442 is the Labor Code, which revises labor laws to protect workers and promote employment.
- Article 168 authorizes the DOLE Secretary to set and enforce mandatory OSH standards.
- Article 169 tasks DOLE with continuous OSH research and development.
- Article 170 obligates DOLE to provide training to improve OSH personnel competence.
- Article 171 assigns DOLE sole administration and enforcement of OSH laws, with fee-collection authority.
- RA 11058 strengthens compliance with OSH standards and penalties for violations.
- DOLE Department Order no. 198 provides the IRR of RA 11058.
Key Roles and Workplace Definitions
- Certified first-aider is trained and certified by authorized organizations to give first aid.
- Covered workplaces are establishments where compliance with OSH laws is mandated.
- Safety Officer (SO1–SO4) refers to company employees with varying levels of DOLE-accredited OSH training and experience.
- Occupational Health (OH) personnel include first-aiders, nurses, dentists, and physicians for workplace health services.
- OSH practitioners and consultants are DOLE-certified safety officers with specialized or consultative functions.
OSH Practices and Workplace Requirements
- General safety and health inspections cover machinery, workspace, lighting, work conditions, and potential hazards.
- Safety signages must follow DOLE-prescribed colors and symbols.
- Workrooms must be at least 2.7 m tall; air-conditioned workrooms, 2.4 m.
- Maximum occupancy is 1 person per 11.5 cu.m. of space.
- Key measurements for machinery spacing, rails, posts, stairs, and ladders are specified.
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must be provided according to Rule 1080.
Hazard Management and Control Measures
- HIRAC stands for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control.
- Hazard controls: Elimination (remove hazard), Substitution (replace hazard), Isolation (limit exposure), Engineering (barriers), Administrative (policy), and PPE.
- Safety hazards are linked to dangerous equipment; health hazards relate to exposure causing illness/disease.
- Accident: event causing possible injury or damage, unexpected and unwanted.
- Unsafe acts and unsafe conditions are human or environmental factors that could lead to injury or damage.
Construction and Excavation Safety
- Scaffold, sheathing, wale, and strut are key components in shoring and timbering for excavation.
- Scaffold types: single, double, suspended, trestle.
- Lifting appliances and gear must be appropriate for loads and operation.
- Health and Safety Committees are mandatory at construction sites.
- Safe load limits: 50 kg for males, 25 kg for females for manual lifting.
- Excavations require shoring/timbering, proper berms, barriers, and safe access/egress.
Key Terms & Definitions
- OSH — Occupational Safety and Health: practices and policies to protect workers’ safety.
- DOLE — Department of Labor and Employment.
- PPE — Personal Protective Equipment to prevent workplace injuries or illness.
- Scaffold — Temporary structure for supporting workers and materials during construction.
- Frequency Rate — Number of workplace deaths and disabilities within a period.
- Severity Rate — Combined scheduled charges/days lost due to work disabilities.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review all measurement-based requirements for workplace and construction safety.
- Memorize key terms, roles, and OSH law sections for exams.
- Study color codes for safety signage according to DOLE guidelines.