Expanding ZAP in big enterprises

As a strategy to expand the zero accident program (ZAP) of OSHC in the big enterprises, an occupational safety and health (OSH) orientation was conducted last Jan. 15, at the training room of SM City Iloilo. It was a collaborative activity with the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6), and the Employees' Compensation Commission Regional Extension Unit No. 6 (ECC-REU6).

The activity was attended by a total of 24 workers, a mix of managers and rank & file employees from various departments and franchises of SM. They were all oriented on topics including OSH situationer, unsafe and unhealthy acts & conditions in the workplace, OSH legislation & administration, and the employees' compensation program.

Engr. Bladamir M. Pantillo from DOLE-RO6, asserted the importance of safety and health in every workplace. He said that an accident is the worst thing that can happen to a worker and the whole company. It is bad for business wherein it results to poor performance, poor productivity, and a bad reputation for the company, he added.

While employees can gain something once they become victims of work-related accidents, still the costs for promotion of a safe and healthy workplace is more budget-friendly than accidents, said Mr. Stephene Barredo from ECC.

Some employees expressed their sentiments regarding the new information that they have learned from the activity. Furthermore, during the workshop, some revealed actual situations that were happening in their workplaces such as the presence of pests due to poor housekeeping in the warehouses and musculo-skeletal problems due to poor ergonomic practices.

Before the end of the orientation, Nrs. Melveen Melocoton from the OSHC turned over some information, education & communication (IEC) materials to the workers in order to enhance the advocacy of OSH in the company.

OSHC, Pushing the the envelope in 2016

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) will be further extending its reach to the workers through enhanced preventive strategies in reducing work-related accidents and illnesses. With the proposal of the 2016 planning tool framework, effective implementation of OSH programs that will enhance productivity and subsequently contribute to national economic development efforts will be carried out. This endeavor will contribute to the universal coverage, expanded benefits, accessibility of social protection and safe work for all.

OSHC Executive Director Dr. Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, presented the planning tool to the heads and regional representatives during the Year-End Assessment at the Center. Included in the presentation were the agency strategies and expected outcomes, the targets, and innovations.

A number of training schedules and appreciation courses for various participants including the workers from the local government units, the management and union representatives, informal sector and vulnerable sector, are in store this new year.

Activities of OSHC especially in Region-6 will be posted and updated accordingly in the OSHC website for clients to be able to contact the right personnel for their inquiries and concerns. Preferentially, they can visit the nearest Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Offices for information.