July OSH Training Schedules 2020

WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2020

TODAY WE COMMEMORATE THE WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2020 with the theme: " Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives."

Front line workers are the heroes of the global #COVID19 pandemic response; we must ensure their safety and health at work. Unity in times of adversities is one of the key elements in the war against the virus. Proper coordination with authorities and compliance is a must to ensure that workers will be provided with the most up-to-date information, care and protection. // MM

OSHC advocates the Vision 1 Million in Boracay Island

Members of the PCCI-Boracay consisting of
representatives from various establishments in the island.

BORACAY, AKLAN - The OSHC, through its regional extension unit, advocated the "Vision 1 Million" during the 1st Quarter General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) - Boracay, at the Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa. The activity was organized to inform the members about the OSHC's programs and services that can provide assistance in the development or strengthening of their workplace safety and health policies and programs.

Melveen Melocoton, OSHC REU6 officer in-charge, encouraged the members who were  representatives from various establishments like hotels, restaurants and other services providers, to secure the safety and health of its workers because they are the backbone of the organization. Through the implementation of a comprehensive safety and health program, workers will be more satisfied with their jobs, be more motivated, more productive, and more committed, he said.

The OSHC will provide the necessary training schedules for safety officers in accordance to the new OSH law, through the collaboration with the DOLE-Aklan Field Office, and the DOLE-Accredited Training Organizations operating in the locality.

Boracay Island, which is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, is packed with business activities to accommodate the needs and demands of tourists from all around the world. Accordingly, for workers to provide quality services, they must also be assured of quality workplace programs and services by their employers.// MM

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

Assuring Safe & Sustainable Abaca Farming in Antique

The OSHC-Regional Extension Unit No. 6 conducted an OSH orientation and risk assessment workshop for the program administrators and abaca farmers' representatives under the supervision of the Antique Development Foundation (ADF), at the ADF conference room, Atabay, San Jose, Antique.

The Antique Development Foundation (ADF), a non-government organization in partnership with Care Philippines, has been implementing the Typhoon Haiyan Reconstruction Assistance (THRA) Project that supports the economic reconstruction of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in four (4) focus municipalities of Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, and Laua-an. The project expanded to additional 10 municipalities in the Province of Antique for the implementation of Household Level Abaca Plantation. It focuses on Abaca Value Chain that intends to establish sustainable and resilient livelihood activities involving the most vulnerable households.

"We are currently working to improve the farming practices, management systems, and farmer knowledge which in turn will contribute to farm productivity, livelihood resiliency of farmers and their families, among others," said ADF Executive Director Rhoda E. Pon-an.

We are also aiming for the sustainability certification of abaca under the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) - Rainforest Alliance Certification System. And, one of the fundamental principles for the certification is occupational safety and health, she added.

Melveen M. Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 officer-in-charge, discussed the facts and figures related to agriculture both in the global and local setting. Also, he discussed the risk assessment approach in order to jump-start the establishment of an OSH system in their entire Abaca Value Chain. The attendees identified hazards up to its control measures according to the production, processing, and marketing of the abaca fibers for endorsement and evaluation.

Conclusively, the need for the program administrators and farmers' association representatives to undergo a 40-hours basic occupational safety and health (BOSH) training for safety officers was considered so that there will be competent persons who can facilitate in the establishment of an OSH system for the Abaca Value Chain and assure its implementation and sustainability.// MM

Guimaras barangay officials trained to advocate workplace safety and health

Graduation pictorial with the stakeholders and participants.

REU6, ILOILO CITY - A total of (34) barangay officials were beneficiaries of the free Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Training organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), through its Regional Extension Unit, last September 4-8, 2017, at the Stargazer Inn, New Site, Brgy. San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.

With the strong presence of informal sector units in the locality, barangay officials were trained with the basic knowledge and skills on occupational safety and health (OSH) in order to capacitate them in the promotion of a culture on OSH in their locality. Furthermore, the activity provided them the competency in assisting the government and other stakeholders in the future conduct of OSH-related activities.

Barangay officials from various municipalities of Sibunag, Jordan, Buenavista, and Nueva Valencia, were trained on vital topics regarding occupational safety, industrial hygiene, and occupational health. Specific topics included unsafe/unhealthy acts & conditions in the workplace, materials handling & storage, good housekeeping, machine safety, fire safety, electrical safety, hazards in the workplace, control measures, PPE: principles & application, safety & health inspection, accident investigation, workplace emergency preparedness, OSH legislation, and OSH programming, among others.

Class pictorial at the wind farm in
Brgy. Suclaran, San Lorenzo, Guimaras.

As part of the training course, the class visited the 54-MW wind farm of PHINMA Renewable Energy, located in Brgy. Suclaran, San Lorenzo, Guimaras. The activity was designed to provide the class with an actual situation to practice learnings attained. The class was welcomed by Engr. Edwin Gallego, Plant Manager, who oriented them on the background and best practices in OSH of the company. After which, The class was grouped to assess specific areas of safety and health compliance.

At the last part of the course, the participants were instructed to develop their re-entry plans regarding vital OSH-related activities to be done upon return to their respective barangay. Some wrote that the activities are to be done within the week up to the fourth quarter with foreseeable concerns such as budget constraints for the meals during the conduct of sessions, and lack of cooperation and support from stakeholders, among others.

Through the endeavor, every barangay official will be able to advocate workplace safety and health and subsequently develop a culture on OSH in their locality towards a zero accident province.

 

OSHC supports a safe and healthy Brigada Eskwela 2017

DOLE-NIR ARD Atty. Jason Balais, together with
Melveen Melocoton from OSHC-REU6,
Engr. Bernardo Gasendo & Cecille Nunez from SONO,
and personnel from each adopted school,
during the turnover of paint cans.

The Occupational Safety and Health Center-Regional Extension Unit No.6 (OSHC-REU6), in collaboration with the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental (SONO), and Department of Labor and Employment-Negros Island Region (DOLE-NIR), supported the launching of the 2017 Brigada Eskwela with the theme: “Isang DepEd, Isang Pamayanan, Isang Bayanihan Para sa Handa at Ligtas na Paaralan.” The activity was done last May 15, 2017, at the DOLE-Sugar Workers Development Center, Cottage Road, Bacolod City.

"A safe and healthy jumpstart is the key towards a successful program implementation of the Brigada Eskwela," said Engr. Bernardo M. Gasendo, SONO President. The SONO, together with its social partners, will capacitate the education sector in the development of an OSH climate resulting to the empowerment of its workers and future labor force.

Also, as part of their corporate social responsibility, they turned over 28-gallons of paint to (5) adopted schools, namely:

1. Bacolod City National High School
2. Luis Hervias National High School
3. Antonio L. Jayme Elementary School
4. Lopez Jaena Elementary School
5. Granada Elementary School

On the other hand, the OSHC-REU6 provided the SONO with the modules and IEC materials needed for the conduct of awareness activities during the Brigada Eskwela to strengthen the interest and engagement of the education sector on occupational safety and health.

"We will continue to expand our advocacy and partnerships on occupational safety and health towards the direction of establishing a zero accident climate in the education sector," said Melveen Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 Administrative Officer.

Through our endeavors, more and more personnel in the education sector attend the mandated OSH-training and become safety officers of their respective institutions, he added.

The Brigada Eskwela is the National Schools’ Maintenance Week that aims to bring together all education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort and resources to prepare public school facilities ready for the opening of the School Year in June. // MM