𝟭𝟳𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗦𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦

 
Milestone in OSH advocacy: The 17th National Occupational Safety and Health Congress

The Occupational Safety and Health Center successfully held the first ever virtual National Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) Congress last September 28-30, 2021, with a theme: “Building Resilient Systems at the Enterprise Level: Best Practices Amidst Crises.” The theme emphasized the vital role of OSH in developing a stronger and a healthier workforce that could stand, adopt, and cover future health emergencies, and accidents. And, showcasing the importance of OSH in protecting lives and livelihood as we face the worst disaster in our time, the CoVid-19 pandemic.

”This global crisis has brought unprecedented health and economic challenges, it thus pertinent to understand how Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) can make individuals and institutions resilient.” said DOLE Secretary, Silvestre H. Bello III.

The 17th NOSH Congress was the biggest gathering of OSH Advocates that Occupational Safety and Health Center had with more than 12,000 participants who came from different industries across the country. The congress is a biennial event that serves as a vehicle to generate and exchange essential information on work safety and health. The 3-day activity was attended by numerous safety experts and professionals, employers, trade union representatives, and even policy makers. The event covered timely and relevant topics and discussions on how business enterprises can continue to work and thrive for safety despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.

The discussions were delivered by subject matter experts (SMEs) coming from well-known corporations such as Globe Telecom Inc., Essilor Manufacturing Philippines Inc. and SN Aboitiz Power Inc., various Government Departments such as Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP),Technical Education and Skills Development Authority(TESDA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and distinguished groups such as the Employees Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and International Labor Organization (ILO), Asia Pacific Region. Participants were given time to ask questions with relation to the topics that were discussed by each resource speakers.

The 17th NOSH Congress event was closed by  DOLE Undersecretary Atty. Benjo Santos M. Benavidez and Senate of Philippines, Senator Emmanuel “Joel” Jose Villanueva.

“As you go back to your workplaces in different industries as safety and health officers, please remember to prioritize the most important things of all, HEALTH and SAFETY, family and friends.“ - Senator Joel Villanueva.

At the end of the event, Executive Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Center, Engr. Noel C. Binag thanked all of the participants, OSHC staffs, Moderators, and Resource speakers for their collaboration, and efforts that resulted to the success of the event.

#OSHCHAMPIONS

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐒𝐇 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫

All government agencies shall constitute their respective Safety and Health Committees (SHC) within six (6) months from the effectivity of this policy while they may reorganize as deemed fit.

The composition of the Safety and Health Committee is as follows:

a. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 - The Head of the agency or his/her authorized Representative who holds an executive/managerial rank/ position.

b.   𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀- The highest ranking officer/executive in charge of Human Resource

- Two (2) representatives from the accredited employees’ association (one 1st Level and one 2nd Level employee)

In case there is no accredited or registered employee organization, the employees shall elect one representative each from the 1st and 2nd level positions

- The agency physician, or in the absence thereof, any employee who is a graduate of a medical-related course

- Representative from the Local Risk Reduction and Management Council / Risk Reduction Management Officer or its equivalent

c. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 - Occupational Safety & Health Officer 

 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐅𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐂𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘

 

WESTERN VISAYAS – The Occupational Safety and Health Center - Regional Extension Unit 6, despite the current pandemic, continues to develop effective OSH campaigns, and dialogues to promote safety and health of workers in the region. With the use of social medial platforms, the unit has been effectually disseminating timely and relevant OSH information and programs to its clients in the locality.

Strategically, the unit’s Facebook page is being utilized effectively to propagate imperative announcements on technical services of the Occupational Safety and Health Center such as OSH training like facilitating weekly Basic OSH (BOSH) training for Safety Officer 1 in the Micro and Small Enterprises, and OSH accreditation such as current guidelines and procedures for OSH professionals.

Last July, the unit launched its program called, “OSHChampions Stories.” The program aimed to inspire Safety Officers who aspire to become DOLE-OSHC accredited OSH practitioners and consultants through social media. The program resulted to an increase in clients’ engagement to the unit’s social media platforms. Wherein, the OSHC Region 6 Facebook followers rapidly increased from 5,000 followers last April, and currently has a 9,726 followers.

Through the Facebook page, clients can also view announcements of upcoming schedules of the BOSH Training for Safety Officer 1 for the month of October that will start on October 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29. Also, these schedules will be available in the OSHC Region 6 blog site at: https://oshc6.blogspot.com/. Interested participants may choose their preferred dates depending on their convenience and availability.

Amid the pandemic, the promotion of OSH is tantamount to protection and preservation of workers’ lives. Sustainable promotion of OSH can lead to a productive, lively and dynamic business environment which will support the economic growth in Western Visayas.

#R6OSHChampions

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬 - 𝐂𝐨𝐕𝐢𝐝-𝟏𝟗 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥

Provinces in region 6 and its residents are accustomed to riding the jeep. Most commuters choose to ride a jeep because it is the cheapest way to get to their destination. However, to avoid transmission and further spread of the Covid-19 disease, protocols must be followed and;

Public transport drivers must adhere to the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) protocol/guidelines dated April 26, 2020 for public transport operation - PUJ passenger limits

Passenger load shall not exceed to 50% of the vehicle’s capacity;

1. Passenger should be seated one seat apart;
2. No standing passenger shall be allowed;
3. Passenger’s seat beside the driver may be occupied by one passenger

Note: Payment for PUJ units shall be through Automatic Fare Collection System to avoid handling of cash and coins. In the event that AFCS in the vehicle is non-operational or if the commuter is paying in cash, drivers/conductors shall collect the payment at the front seat before allowing the passenger to board the PUV.

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐎𝐒𝐇 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐒𝐇 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐒

WESTERN VISAYAS - Five (5) months after the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) Regional Extension Unit 6 (REU6) launched its FREE BOSH training for Safety Officer 1, the unit generated a total of 978 Safety Officers 1 coming from 701 different companies in the region.

Amidst these trying times due to the pandemic, OSHC-REU6 shall continuously fulfill its duty to the public which is to disseminate vital information and guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health and to provide quality services for its stakeholders. The production of “OSH Champions” in Western Visayas is an advocacy that will increase the number of front liners in promoting Safety and Health not only in Western Visayas, but the whole country.

Aside from the “OSH Champions’ Stories,” a series of inspiring words from the regional OSH accredited practitioners, we also reached out to our graduates from the previous SO1 training. The training equipped them with the knowledge to organize their own OSH Committee, develop effective OSH Programs, and best practices not only in their workplaces but also in their daily lives. Most of them extended their gratitude and shared their journeys and experiences as appointed Safety Officers by their respective companies.

“Because SAFETY is our main concern, our training helped us to be aware and be prepared in our daily routines not only in our workplace but also in our households.” - said Ms. Jo Eve Balleza, a BOSH for SO1 graduate.

OSHC-REU6 is elated that the Safety Officers they produced are becoming OSH Champions of their respective companies. Thus, the unit shall continue with its initiative and hopes that with the FREE BOSH training programs, more Safety Officers and OSH Champions will be generated that will be part of OSHC's #VisionOneMillion.

#LigtasAngMaingat is not just a hashtag of OSHC, it’s a way of life for the people, for the workers and for the nation.

#R6OSHChampions

 

17th National OSH Congress on Sept. 28-30 via Teleconference

The 17th National Occupational Safety and Health Congress will be happening online for the first time. Get ready for three days of rich discussions that emphasize the importance of work safety and health in building resilient and sustainable enterprises.

To register, click bit.ly/17thnoshcongress2021 or scan the QR code and follow the guide below. Registration is FREE!!! See you there!

#OSHCSigurado

Source: https://oshc.dole.gov.ph/17th-national-occupational-safety-and-health-congress-september-28-30-2021/