OSHC assists DENR-EMB RO6 in adopting the OSH Standards for the Public Sector

Mr. Melveen, officer-in-charge, was invited as the resource person during the conduct of the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau's 2-day seminar and workshop on occupational safety and health (OSH) for the public sector via teleconference last Aug. 19-20, 2020. The activity was attended by the various heads and representatives of the office. It was designed for the participants to be familiarized on the OSH Standards for the Public Sector and to assist them in adopting the guidelines in their office pursuance to the CSC-DOH-DOLE Joint Memo Circular No. 1 series of 2020.

According to the join memo circular, the OSH Standards shall apply to all officials and employees in the NGAs, SUCs, LGUs; and GOCCs whether permanent, temporary, and/or casual status. Job orders, contract of services, institutional and individual contractors are also covered. The Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Public Sector is aimed at protecting all government employees from the dangers of injury, sickness or death in the workplace through the adoption of safe and healthy working conditions to ensure the preservation of human lives and resources and prevent loss/damage of properties. This shall also guide the government agencies in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Occupational Safety and Health for government employees.

During the activity, the participants identified issues in the workplace such as:

• Health risks of the office's skeletal workforce especially the front liners in conducting monitoring and enforcement activities;
• Even with the implementation of our COVID Crisis Management Plan, it is still beyond the office's control regarding those going inside the office and those that workers meet along the way;
• OSH-related risks during the conduct of water sampling, monitoring and other investigation for environmental complaints;
• Concerns on employee health and wellness program and office space, among others.

As a result, the participants were coached on the development of their agency’s OSH program and OSH committee that will serve as the policy making body on matters pertaining to safety and health. They were provided with the basic structure and duties and responsibilities of each member in the committee for their guidance. A detailed discussion was done on the vital elements in safeguarding reasonable working conditions as enumerated by the guidelines, as follows:

1. Workplace
2. Emergency preparedness
3. Occupational safety and health program
4. Support facilities
5. Working hours, break and leave privileges
6. Work environment

After the entire activity, Mr. Melocoton provided the participants with an organizational plan on what activities to be done to realign their current safety, health and environment programs, and stimulate the development of a comprehensive OSH program that will complement the guidelines in the OSH Standards for the public sector. //MM

RCC on tuberculosis in the workplace strengthens collaboration despite COVID-19 crisis

The OSHC-REU6, together with the Regional Coordinating Council on Tuberculosis Elimination in Western Visayas met via teleconference and discussed the new normal for TB elimination as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization-Philippines ranked Region 6 as top performing for case notification rate, new and relapse cases.

Ensuring the continuity of TB services during community quarantine, the Department of Health issued Department Order No. 2020-0128. According to the department order, screening shall continue subject to social distancing and infection control protocols. Also, treatment shifts from clinic-based to home-based had been enforced to further prevent hazardous contacts by the healthcare provider and the client. The clients will be provided with a 1-month supply of anti-TB drugs and will be followed-up by their assigned treatment partner via information-communication technology means.  Moreover, there is flexibility in sputum collection for follow-up and standard short all oral regimen for drug-resistant TB has been implemented to encourage the patient-care approach.

According to Christine Mosqueda, DOH Regional NTP Coordinator, currently, a National TB Program adaptive plan is being formulated to address the displacement of persons with TB in the health system due to the COVID-19 situation. Measures and adjustments to the TB implementation program are specified with observance of infection prevention and control including physical distancing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment.

As for TB advocacy in the workplace, members of the team were able to conduct a 2-day monitoring in selected companies last February of this year before the nationwide community quarantine. During the monitoring, it was found out that the companies visited were conducting annual health exams which included chest X-rays. Workers with suspected TB signs and symptoms were referred to their company doctor or directly to the DOTS facility if they don't have a company doctor. It was also noted that some companies still do not have a TB policy in the workplace and were assisted by the team accordingly.

Melveen Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 representative said that private establishments are still reminded to implement their occupational safety and health policies and programs, especially on TB in compliance to the Republic Act 11058, otherwise known as the Act Strengthening the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and its implementing rules and regulations (DOLE Department Order 198-18). The office is open to assist private establishments in assuring that their policies and programs are parallel with the OSH Standards. //MM

OSHC-REU6 receives DOH Golden Award

With the active participation of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) on the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development Western Visayas, the regional unit was awarded the golden award during the DOH-CHD WV Regional Recognition of Partners and Stakeholders last December 7, at the EON Centennial Resort, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Melveen Melocoton, Regional Focal of OSHC-REU6, received the award during the event.

The partnership existed since 2017 when the regional unit was invited for a series of collaboration on "TB Advocacy in Business Community/Workplace." The involvement of the OSHC became an integral part of the DOH's advocacy in the elimination of TB via collaborative meetings/awareness activities with various stakeholders and the development of assessment checklists and strengthening of referral systems for the proper documentation of all TB cases in the entire region.

The regional unit also became an active member of the Center for Infection Control and Treatment, Inc. (CICAT) as a mark of its commitment towards public-private partnership in the advocacy of occupational safety and health, and addressing occupational health issues in the entire region.

With the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11058, entitled "An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof," all private companies covered must have well formulated and implemented comprehensive OSH programs especially on TB in the workplace or be penalized with administrative fines upon thorough inspection and investigation by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). //MM