Happy Labor Day 2020

In these challenging times, we are truly grateful for the dedication and sacrifices of our labor force in Western Visayas, specifically our frontliners.

We deeply thank the employers and workers for their assistance in the campaign on the adoption of safe and healthy practices and the role that occupational safety and health (OSH) services play. We also wish to thank our partners, specifically the LGUs, OSHNets, STOs, and OSH Champions, for their active support and participation in all OSH-related endeavors in the locality. // 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

OSHC empowers sanitary inspectors in Western Visayas

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) conducted an OSH orientation for the (10) sanitary officers/inspectors/engineers from various local government units in Western Visayas. The orientation was an inclusion to the 2-days Training of Trainers on Implementing Rules & Regulations on Presidential Decree 856 - Chapter 7 on "Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health," last September 6-7, 2018, at the Forest Park Resort Hotel, Bacolod City.

The participants were oriented to familiarize with the OSH situations in the global and local setting; Identify the problems and issues associated with OSH conditions in the country; Describe OSH situations in different companies; Define and differentiate accidents, unsafe/unhealthy acts and conditions; Identify and enumerate different situations and practices that constitute unsafe/unhealthy acts and conditions; Recognize industrial hygiene principles; Explain the key concepts of occupational health, among others.

During the OSH situationer topic, the participants were informed of the trending cases of OSH-related accidents and illnesses in the country. The 2015-2016 Philippine Statistics Authority Integrated Survey on Labor and Employment (PSA-ISLE) revealed that workers mostly fell victims of various accidents like superficial injuries and open wounds, dislocations, sprains and strains, fractures, among others. While occupational diseases were mostly related to work-related musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder tendonitis.


On industrial hygiene and occupational health, the participants were made aware of the (4) basic environmental stresses/hazards arising in the workplace. They were physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards, and ergonomic hazards. Each hazard, if not controlled as soon as possible, would lead to adverse health effects that may temporarily or permanently disable a worker, or kill the worker. Thus, the participants gathered their collective ideas on how can they provide good recommendations for establishments with the presence of various hazards.

The OSHC also informed the participants of its mandate and technical services such as capacity-building on OSH, testing of personal protective equipment, and the provision of the work environment measurement (WEM). Thus, the OSHC is looking forward to a strong networking with the sanitary inspectors because of issues in connection with poor industrial hygiene and occupational health practices of some companies they have visited.

"Our goals in creating safe and healthy workplaces in the region are complementary," said Melveen Melocoton, officer-in-charge of OSHC-REU6. Let us work hand-in-hand in assisting establishments to be compliant with OSH rules and regulations, he added.

Most of the sanitary inspectors were enlightened on how to deal with OSH-related issues arising in workplaces that they have visited. They are now aware that a safety officer and occupational health personnel can assist them in determining unsafe/unhealthy working conditions that may lead to accidents and illnesses. Also, they are now mindful of the DOLE requirement for the number of safety officers and health personnel and their duties in ensuring good sanitary practices for the workers and the general public. With this, they are looking forward to also be trained on the DOLE mandated 40-hours basic occupational safety and health for safety officers so that they can perform a more comprehensive assessment and provide better recommendations in every workplace that they will soon visit.

The OSHC will continue to assist the sanitary inspectors through a series of meetings and invitations to upcoming capacity-building activities so that they'll be more competent in enforcing and administering the rules and regulations under the PD 856-Chapter 7 and the OSH Standards. // MM

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.

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.

COSHEMAP COSH Schedule in Iloilo on February

Please click link for the invitation letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwccZlG-njbLUFF6WDA0R3RQckE/view?usp=sharing