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 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.
"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
