An OSH Champion's Story: The Heart to Become an Extraordinary OSH Advocate

"𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏 “𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚” 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑶𝑺𝑯 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆. 𝐼 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙  𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑂𝑆𝐻 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠. 𝐴𝑠 𝑎 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑤𝑒 𝑑𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝐸 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑚. 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛, 𝑂𝑆𝐻 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑘𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑏𝑦𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑢𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠. 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑂𝑆𝐻 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 – 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚. 

𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏’𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 – 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏 𝑶𝑺𝑯 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕. 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝑰 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒆, 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑶𝑺𝑯𝑪, 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔. 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠, 𝑠𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑠, 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘.

𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒. 𝑀𝑦 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑂𝑆𝐻 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑂𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑟 1 𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑆𝐻𝐶  𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑉𝐼 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒. 𝐼 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑙𝑦 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑡 – 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑂𝑆𝐻𝐶! 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 - 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆, 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝑶𝑺𝑯 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅/𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔. "

𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐑. 𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐃𝐖𝐈𝐍 𝐕. 𝐆𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐎

𝐷𝑂𝐿𝐸 - 𝑂𝑆𝐻𝐶 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑟

Free Online Basic OSH Training for Safety Officer 1 on Aug. 26-27

𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧!

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐎𝐒𝐇 (𝗕𝗢𝗦𝗛)𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝟏 via 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐔𝐒𝐓  26-27, 2021

𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒  of this training are aspiring safety officers or employees in 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐑𝐎, 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐒 (MSEs) and other 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 (𝗟𝗢𝗪-𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞 𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦) that are in need for a 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝟏.

𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋 𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐈𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄!!

Register now by scanning the QR or thru this 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊: https://bit.ly/3CnkDO7

Limited slots only.

We will automatically close the registration once we receive a maximum of 60 registrants.

Free Virtual BOSH Training for Safety Officer 1 on July 15-16

 

Congratulations to 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

Congratulations to 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, a newly accredited DOLE-OSHC Consultancy Organization based in Iloilo City, who is authorized to conduct consultancy services in the field of Occupational Safety and Health in the Philippines pursuant to Rule 1030 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards amended by DO. 16, Series of 2001.

Trisafety Occupational Safety Training Services is also a DOLE-OSHC Accredited Training Organization on OSH and recognized as a pioneer local accredited OSH training organization in Western Visayas.

WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2020

TODAY WE COMMEMORATE THE WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2020 with the theme: " Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives."

Front line workers are the heroes of the global #COVID19 pandemic response; we must ensure their safety and health at work. Unity in times of adversities is one of the key elements in the war against the virus. Proper coordination with authorities and compliance is a must to ensure that workers will be provided with the most up-to-date information, care and protection. // MM

Building strong OSH linkages in Boracay

A collaborative meeting regarding strong partnerships with the newly organized Boracay OSH Network (BOSHNET). The meeting comprised of discussions on opportunities and strategies to expand OSH awareness and the compliance of all private establishment in the entire island through effective information campaign, access to OSH-related training programs, and extensive networking with stakeholders who share the same vision, #Vision1Million.

Present during the meeting were OSHC-Executive Director Noel C. Binag, OSHC-Region 6 Focal Mr. Melveen M. Melocoton, DOLE-Boracay Satellite Focal Engr. Milson F. Delos Reyes, and BOSHNET-President Mr. Lendie P. Catubig along with the board of directors. // MM

#LigtasAngMaingat

#SikatAngMaingat

#AbaseSaOSH

OSHC advocates the Vision 1 Million in Boracay Island

Members of the PCCI-Boracay consisting of
representatives from various establishments in the island.

BORACAY, AKLAN - The OSHC, through its regional extension unit, advocated the "Vision 1 Million" during the 1st Quarter General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) - Boracay, at the Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa. The activity was organized to inform the members about the OSHC's programs and services that can provide assistance in the development or strengthening of their workplace safety and health policies and programs.

Melveen Melocoton, OSHC REU6 officer in-charge, encouraged the members who were  representatives from various establishments like hotels, restaurants and other services providers, to secure the safety and health of its workers because they are the backbone of the organization. Through the implementation of a comprehensive safety and health program, workers will be more satisfied with their jobs, be more motivated, more productive, and more committed, he said.

The OSHC will provide the necessary training schedules for safety officers in accordance to the new OSH law, through the collaboration with the DOLE-Aklan Field Office, and the DOLE-Accredited Training Organizations operating in the locality.

Boracay Island, which is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, is packed with business activities to accommodate the needs and demands of tourists from all around the world. Accordingly, for workers to provide quality services, they must also be assured of quality workplace programs and services by their employers.// MM

Regional OSH advocacy and open forum in Iloilo City

REU6 starts work for 2019

The OSHC-REU6 will be starting its first-day operation tomorrow on January 3, two days after the kickstart of  2019. The new year will be a game changer for all safety advocates in the country due to the much awaited implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11058, otherwise known as the "ACT STRENGTHENING COMPLIANCE WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF."

To keep the ball rolling, the regional unit will be coordinating with its stakeholders and partners for the speedy posting of the 2019 calendar of OSH-related activities in the entire Western Visayas.  With this, all OSH advocates and enthusiasts will be promptly informed and involved of the OSHC's "Vision 1 Million" crusade. // MM

DOLE releases OSH Law IRR

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) during its 85th Anniversary released the  Department Order No. 198 series of 2018 entitled "Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11058 [An Act Strengthening Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof]. This is the act that requires all private establishments to formulate and implement comprehensively their safety and health policies and programs or be penalized with administrative fines upon inspection and investigation of the DOLE.

The popularly called "OSH Law" revamped the 1989 Occupational Safety and Health Standards as Amended. With this, private establishments are now subject to administrative fines brought about by negligence and refusal to comply with the rules under the OSH Standards. The law also revised the classification of workplaces and the qualifications of its safety officers.

The OSHC-REU6 will be conducting a series of conferences to inform all safety advocates, human resource managers and employers on the IRR of the OSH Law in the early months of  2019. With this strategy, the regional unit will be expecting a surge of requests for 8-hours orientations, 40-hours basic mandated OSH training, and applications for OSH practitioner accreditation. //MM

Assuring Safe & Sustainable Abaca Farming in Antique

The OSHC-Regional Extension Unit No. 6 conducted an OSH orientation and risk assessment workshop for the program administrators and abaca farmers' representatives under the supervision of the Antique Development Foundation (ADF), at the ADF conference room, Atabay, San Jose, Antique.

The Antique Development Foundation (ADF), a non-government organization in partnership with Care Philippines, has been implementing the Typhoon Haiyan Reconstruction Assistance (THRA) Project that supports the economic reconstruction of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in four (4) focus municipalities of Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, and Laua-an. The project expanded to additional 10 municipalities in the Province of Antique for the implementation of Household Level Abaca Plantation. It focuses on Abaca Value Chain that intends to establish sustainable and resilient livelihood activities involving the most vulnerable households.

"We are currently working to improve the farming practices, management systems, and farmer knowledge which in turn will contribute to farm productivity, livelihood resiliency of farmers and their families, among others," said ADF Executive Director Rhoda E. Pon-an.

We are also aiming for the sustainability certification of abaca under the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) - Rainforest Alliance Certification System. And, one of the fundamental principles for the certification is occupational safety and health, she added.

Melveen M. Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 officer-in-charge, discussed the facts and figures related to agriculture both in the global and local setting. Also, he discussed the risk assessment approach in order to jump-start the establishment of an OSH system in their entire Abaca Value Chain. The attendees identified hazards up to its control measures according to the production, processing, and marketing of the abaca fibers for endorsement and evaluation.

Conclusively, the need for the program administrators and farmers' association representatives to undergo a 40-hours basic occupational safety and health (BOSH) training for safety officers was considered so that there will be competent persons who can facilitate in the establishment of an OSH system for the Abaca Value Chain and assure its implementation and sustainability.// MM

16th NOSH Congress, Be an OSH Champion, Vision 1 Million

For a copy of the invitation letter, please visit the OSH Activities page and click the link to download.

OSHC accredits a safety practitioner in power generation

The OSHC accredited Engr. Aquiles F. Gajito, in its roster of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Practitioners in the Philippines. With more than 47-years of experience in the power generation industry for both local and international setting, he applied for accreditation in order to further carry out the provisions of the OSH Standards (OSHS) as a safety practitioner in his locality.

Pursuance to Department Order No. 16-01 Series of 2001, amending Rule 1030 of the OSHS, all aspiring OSH practitioners shall satisfy the enumerated requirements:

• The individual must have completed the 40-hours BOSH [general industry] or COSH [construction industry] training;
• Must have at least (3) years of relevant experience in OSH;
• Must be duly-licensed t practice his/her profession in the Philippines;
• If the applicant is a graduate of any 4 or 5-years college course without a license, he/she must have at least (4) years of relevant experience in any of the sub-components in a field of specialization;
• If the applicant is a college undergraduate, he/she must have at least (10) years relevant experience in OSH.

Engr. Gajito received his certificate of accreditation and identification card valid for (3) years. And, on his renewal, he should be able to provide individual OSH accomplishments, community service/s rendered on safety and health, and attend additional training on OSH.

Engr. Gajito receiving his certificate and ID.

Melveen Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 OIC,  reciting the duties and responsibilities of
an OSH Practitioner to Engr. Gajito.

Engr. Gajito signing the certificate in acknowledgment of his duties and responsibilities
as a newly accredited safety and health practitioner.

Engr. Gajito with Mr. Melocoton for a photo-op.

OSHC Ignites SDG Ambassadors of Iloilo on OSH Advocacy

Twelve ambassadors of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Iloilo were oriented on the significance of occupational safety and health (OSH) towards sustainable growth. The ambassadors were candidates of Mister Iloilo: The Search for Young Ilonggo Sustainable Development Advocates, organized by the Youth Proyekto Philippines, Inc.  The activity was done at the Iloilo Science and Technology University – Audio Visual Room.

The ambassadors, representing various areas in Iloilo, were informed that through OSH they will be able to contribute to the accomplishment of 3-SDG (namely: Good health [3], Decent work & economic growth [8], and Peace and justice [16]). The discussion aimed to hasten activities to achieve safe and secure working environments for all workers.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), work-related deaths, injuries, and diseases take a particularly heavy toll in developing nations, where large numbers of people are engaged in hazardous activities including agriculture, construction, logging, fishing, and mining. Death and disability resulting from hazardous work is a major cause of poverty, affecting entire families. The poorest and least protected, often women, children, and migrants, are among the most affected. Furthermore, a vicious circle of poor health, reduced working capacity, low productivity and shortened life expectancy is a typical outcome in the absence of social interventions addressing the underlying problems of irregular and low-quality employment, low pay and the lack of social protection.

"We need to capacitate all workers, regardless of employment status and nature of the business, about safety and health to improve their health and economic conditions," said Melveen Melocoton, officer-in-charge of OSHC-REU6.

With this year's SafeDay theme wherein we're campaigning to improve the safety and health of young workers, we are partnering with you (the ambassadors) in the advocacy towards sustainable growth and development of the community, he added.

The ambassadors will be collaborating their advocacies and activity proposals to the OSHC-REU6 for possible partnerships and assistance.

Displaced OFWs complete safety and health training

Source: The Daily Guardian | Vol. XVII | Monday, April 30, 2018

OSHC Celebrates World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2018

Safety Practitioner: A Roaring Career Opportunity for Displaced OFWs

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Regional Welfare Office VI (OWWA-RWO VI), conducted an OSH orientation for the registered displaced OFWs at the OWWA-RWO VI Training Room, Robinsons Mall, Iloilo City.

The activity was done to enlighten the displaced OFWs about the roaring career opportunities if they will pursue the path of an accredited safety practitioner of the country.

The general public, nowadays, is becoming more conscious about the seriousness of safety and health at work, especially in Western Visayas.

With the recent news about fatalities and deaths related to occupational safety and health (OSH), a concerned citizen would wonder keenly if what "entity" is the vital safeguard between OSH vs. accident at work. How can that entity prevent workers from going home with broken/lost limbs or dreadful work-related illnesses?

The knight in shining armor that we seek is a SAFETY PRACTITIONER. One with sufficient training and experience on OSH based on set standards and accredited by the OSHC. Currently, there are only 32 accredited OSH practitioners versus 523 hazardous establishments that need full-time safety officers in the region.

The OSHC is maximizing its efforts to provide displaced OFWs with the basic knowledge and skills on occupational safety and health (OSH) that will enable them in the promotion of a culture on OSH in their locality and to provide development opportunities that will capacitate them in a career on OSH both in the local and international level.

Finally, with the "BUILD, BUILD, BUILD" Project of the Duterte Administration, we will expect more building of infrastructures and the development of various industries. Hence, the demand for more accredited safety practitioners in the entire region.// MM

HIV/AIDS Awareness for WVSUMC Workers

As a strategy for ending the stigma of HIV/AIDS in West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC), a total of 73-personnel consisting of doctors, nurses, housekeeping, laboratory technicians, among others, were oriented on the fundamentals of the silent killer specifically in the workplace.

Melveen Melocoton, regional representative of OSHC in Region 6, discussed the impacts of HIV/AIDS on the workers and their families, enterprises, and the country. During the activity, he conducted a workshop where attendees were tasked to write down the common stigma which hinders them in opening conversations on HIV/AIDS awareness. As a result, most workers still consider the topic as a taboo and awkward.

"HIV & AIDS are workplace issues. The impact is felt by both workers & employers together with their families," said Melveen Melocoton. Workplace intervention can help limit the spread & mitigate the impact of HIV & AIDS, he added.

The workplace allows development of policies & strategies, facilitates promotion of health messages, facilitates referral of workers for care & support, and provides an opportunity for an effective partnership among the private and public sectors. With a well-developed policy on HIV prevention, it will result to minimized workplace disruption & lost productivity; Reduced health care costs by preventing new infections; Company demonstration of concern for the welfare of workers & families; Assurance that people living with HIV (PLWH) receive appropriate counseling, medical, & social support.

HIV/AIDS remains to be a silent killer with no cure. Thus, prevention is the best strategy ending the spread of the virus. And, the OSHC remains to be a valuable partner in the information dissemination on HIV/AIDS awareness. Especially in assisting both private and public sectors in the development and strengthening of policies and programs on HIV prevention.

OSH for sugar regulatory officers in Bacolod

A total of 27 personnel from the Sugar Regulatory Administration - Visayas had a 1-day safety and health awareness course conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), in partnership with the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Inc. (SONO, Inc.), held at the SRA Training Center, Araneta St., Singcang, Bacolod City

Engr. Dinah P. Acoyong, a DOLE-Accredited OSH Practitioner and SONO representative, was tapped by the OSHC to discuss the topics on industrial hygiene, control measures, work environment measurement, and PPE; principles and application. The topics were selected by the SRA as indicated in their request letter to the OSHC.

The OSHC is the national authority for research and training on matters pertaining to safety and health at work. It provides the expertise and intervention mechanism to improve workplace conditions in the Philippines.

OSHC orients Lambunao workers on safety and health

The Occupational Safety and Health Center - Regional Extension Unit No. 6 (OSHC-REU6) conducted a safety and health orientation to the workers under the Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office (MEEDO) consisting of (14) Revenue Generating Unit (RGU) of the Municipality of Lambunao, Iloilo.

The activity was graced by the presence of Mayor Jason Gonzales who welcomed the attendees and inspired them by stating the many accomplishments gained by the municipality through the efforts of all its constituents.

During the activity, the workers present were assigned to the slaughterhouses, traffic enforcement, market office, garments, and prints, among others. The RGU manpower executes both physical and mental tasks daily to guarantee effective services to their clients. Thus, the office of the MEEDO saw that in each RGU, the personnel were in need to have a background in occupational safety and health (OSH) precautions which they can apply in their workplaces.

Melveen Melocoton, the OSHC regional representative, discussed the basic OSH principles, common hazards in the workplaces, and its preventive measures in order to assure a safe and healthy working environment for everyone. Also, a workshop was conducted wherein the attendees were instructed to write down and explain the unsafe acts and conditions currently present in their respective workplaces.

OSHC REU6 continues to extend its reach in Western Visayas to enhance and strengthen OSH policies and programs, delivery of quality OSH services, client-focused responses, management of resources, linkages and information dissemination.