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.

OSH at Imperial Appliance Corp., safety is everyone's responsibility

An occupational safety and health (OSH) orientation was conducted at Imperial Appliance Corporation, last Oct. 14, 2015. The activity was a collaborative endeavor of the Occupational Safety and Health Center - Regional Extension Unit No. 6 (OSHC-REU6) and the management of Imperial Appliance Corp., together with their safety office, Queenie V. Sumagaysay, who previously completed the OSHC's mandated 40-hours Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Training for Safety Officers in Iloilo.

Arlyn R. Barrientos, Human Resource Manager of Imperial Appliance Corp., welcomed the attendees and thanked the OSHC-REU6 for being present to discuss safety and health issues and concerns in the workplace and to establish a partnership for zero accidents in Region 6.

Melveen M. Melocoton, Admin Officer of OSHC-REU6, presented the OSHC, its mandates and services. Also, he discussed the global and local outlook of OSH and the workplace scenarios prone to hazards leading to accidents. Control measures were explained briefly and then an open forum was done where the attendees were able to share their experiences about workplace hazards and thier sentiments as regards to accidents.

The workplace should always be a place of OSH promotion and it is everybody's responsibility. And, the practice of OSH starts with our self-realization on its importance. Lastly, OSH is not just a slogan but a way of life, he said.

The OSHC-REU6 continues to cater establishments that request for orientations on safety and health in the workplace to strengthen its advocacy for zero accidents in the region.

Arlyn R. Barrientos welcoming the attendees.

Melveen M. Melocoton presenting an AVP about OSHC.

Melveen M. Melocoton discussing some topics on OSH.

Attendees watching an AVP on accidents.

Zero Accidents at CASA, commitment rather than mere compliance

The Occupational Safety and Health Center - Regional Extension Unit No.6 (OSHC-REU6) in partnership with the Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network, Inc. (WV OSHNET) conducted the 1-day OSH orientation at the Central Azucarera de San Antonio (CASA) in Passi, Iloilo, last Oct. 9, 2015. The event was attended by 40-employees from various departments of the company.

Engr. Ramon A. Dela Cruz, Factory Operations Manager of CASA, welcomed the attendees and thanked the organizers of the event. As an advocate of zero accidents in the workplace, he emphasized the importance being keen and assertive once hazards in the workplace are present. After all, safety is not just the responsibility of the safety officers but of everyone.

Ms. Inesitas I. Palermo, Treasurer of WV OSHNET, Inc., expressed that even though they are busy people with their own jobs and companies to handle still they give time to uphold the vision and mission of their organization in achieving a safe and healthy work environment for all workers in Panay Island.

Mr. Melveen M. Melocoton, Administrative Officer of OSHC-REU6, voiced to everyone in the venue that we work for not just ourselves but our families. Once accidents happen to us, we lose our sense of purpose. We become afraid and unproductive. That is why the OSHC-REU6 and WV OSHNET are working with great efforts to promote zero accidents in order for all workers to be confident rather than afraid, and effective rather than unproductive.

Topics during the 1-day OSH orientation were OSH situationer, unsafe/unhealthy acts and conditions in the workplace, machine handling, industrial hazards and occupational health, and accident investigation. The attendees were presented with pictures and video clips that raised their awareness of the seriousness of safety and health at work.

Safety and health of workers are vital ingredients in establishing a strong nation. Through OSH orientations, we are able to invoke a commitment rather than a mere compliance to zero accidents in the workplace.

Engr. Ramon A. Dela Cruz welcoming the attendees.

Engr. Alberto E. Pedrajas giving his opening remarks.

Ms. Inesitas I. Palermo introducing the resource speakers.

Mr. Melveen M. Melocoton discussing the topic on OSH Situationer.

Engr. Quirico M. Baldomar discussing principles on unsafe/unhealthy acts and conditions in the workplace.

Engr. Maximo J. Pareja discussing accident investigation.

The attendees composed of safety staff, admin staff, engineers, maintenance crew, among others.

Yes to OSH in Negros, the war against accidents in the construction industry

In order to address the need for more competent safety officers in Negros Occidental, the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Inc., conducted the construction safety training (CST) in Bacolod City, last Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2015.

The CST was attended by a total of 37-participants from various industries such as the construction industry, manufacturing industry, among others. It is a 40-hours (5-days) worth of training on topics including introduction to safety and health, occupational safety, environmental safety, occupational health, and responses to occupational safety and health (OSH)  issues and challenges.

Cyril L. Ticao, Assistant Regional Director of the DOLE Region 6, welcomed the participants and thanked the OSHC and SONO, Inc., for the strong partnership in promoting occupational safety and health (OSH) in Negros Occidental.

Dyan Grace A. Mayang, a compensation and benefits officer of FocusDirect, Inc., was asked regarding her reason for attending the training. She replied, "In order to learn more information regarding safety practices in the workplace." The training provided me with knowledge and skills  in identifying hazardous practices that can be applied at home as well, she added.

On the other hand, Anthony G. Altarejos, a nurse by profession and safety officer of The Doctors' Hospital, Inc in Bacolod, said that as a nurse without engineering academics and hands-on experience in the construction industry, the training contributed much to his knowledge and awareness on safety. Hence, he will be able to pursue safety programs that can benefit not only the employees but also his patients.

Rhoel S. Historia, environmental, safety & health (ESH) coordinator of Panay Electric Development Corp. - 3, stated that the training can provide compliance and maturity of safety culture in his company.

We can help anybody by sharing the knowledge we learned by making them aware of the hazards in all kinds of work. Also, we educate the people to avoid such hazards that can harm o deter them from working on a productive aspect, said Carlo Doniel Labis of Meilleur Manpower Services.

With the vigorous commitment of OSHC, DOLE, and SONO in the creation of safe and healthy workplaces in the region, more upcoming activities on safety and health are anticipated. Because, it is more fun in a safe and healthy region.

Cyril l. Ticao, ARD of DOLE-Region 6, giving the welcome address.

Ruge P. Balladares, SONO President, discussing the topic on unsafe/unhealthy acts and conditions in the workplace.

Class pictoral.