OSHC monitors first conduct of OSH mandated training in Western Visayas for CY2017

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) monitored the first scheduled mandated training courses conducted by the Corporate Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Management Association of the Philippines (COSHEMAP), a DOLE-accredited safety training organization, at the HRT Service Center, ISAT-U, La Paz, Iloilo City, last January 23-27, 2017.

The scheduled 40-hours mandated safety training courses were the first in Western Visayas for 2017, with a total of (10) participants for the Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) and a total of (48) for the Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH). Both were conducted at the same dates yet in different areas of the venue. Participants who attended the courses were from diverse professions and levels of management which included engineers, nurses, human resource managers, contractors, among others.

The OSHC continues to work together with the COSHEMAP in expanding the delivery of OSH-related programs and services in the region.//MM

OSHC Capacitates OFWs on OSH

OWWA RWO6 - OIC James B. Mendiola giving his
welcome address to the attendees of the activity.

To sustain and maximize the efforts of the government in addressing the needs of repatriated workers, a total of (19) overseas foreign workers (OFWs) were oriented on the programs and services of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) during the welfare session for OFWs repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia organized by the Oversees Workers Welfare Administration – Regional Welfare Office 6 (OWWA-RWO6) at the OWWA-RWO6 office, 3rd Flr. Robinson’s Place, Iloilo City, last January 19, 2017.

Melveen Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 focal person, discussed OSHC’s programs and services to capacitate the attendees on the government’s commitment to eliminate/reduce work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths in its working population. Hence, the demand for safety practitioners is high especially with the booming of both the general and construction industry in the Philippines.

"OFWs may want to consider a career path in occupational safety and health (OSH)," Melocoton told the attendees. 

"Safety practitioners are essential in all workplaces, both locally and abroad. And, there are plenty of career opportunities for them like like having jobs as safety officers, trainers, private auditors or consultants, among others," he added.

Class pictorial together with the OWWA-WRO6 OIC,
DOLE-RO6 Focal on Special Programs,
and OSHC-REU6 Focal.

In 2016, a total of 106,655 workers benefitted from OSHC services. This includes those who benefitted from the OSHC technical services as well as the 36,527 participants in the mandatory and specialized OSH training conducted jointly with the Occupational Safety and Health Networks nad DOLE-accredited Safety Training Organizations throughout the country.

This year, OSHC, especially in Western Visayas, hopes to gain more partnerships with stakeholders in order to expand further its zero accident program (ZAP) through its mandated training and technical services.//MM

OSHC attests creation of NIR Regional OSHNet

The Regional Occupational Safety and Health Network was formed last Aug. 6, 2016, at the Manhattan Suites Inn, Dumaguete City. The momentous event was attended by representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OSHNet Negros Oriental, Inc. (OSHNet NegOr., Inc.), and the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Inc. (SONO, Inc.).

The feat was done to promote the creation and solidarity among occupational safety and health organizations in both oriental and occidental parts of Negros Island. It will also improve the facilitation of OSH activities and enforcement in the region.

Ms. Agnes N. Capigon, DOLE TSSD-Chief of NIR, explained the need for its creation due to numerous OSH-related activities awaiting the region, especially the hosting of the Annual Visayas-Wide OSH Summit. Thus, DOLE facilitated the election where OSHNet NegOr., Inc. and SONO, Inc. nominated and voted for the regional OSHNet board of directors which resulted to Mr. Ruge P. Balladares of SONO, Inc., as its first president.

“We are very enthusiastic to collaborate with the Regional OSHNet in all its future OSH advocacies to enhance the advocacy of zero accident program (ZAP) in NIR,” said Mr. Melveen Melocoton, OSHC representative.

Ms. Agnes N. Capigon, DOLE-NIR TSSD Chief, reiterated Administrative Order No. 53 related to the creation, facilitation and monitoring of the OSHNet.

Melveen M. Melocoton, OSHC-Representative, with the SONO, Inc. 

Engr. Renato S. Infante, OSHNet NegOr., Inc. President, enumerated the agenda of the coordination meeting.

Hernani A. Lopez, SONO, Inc. President, shared the organization's annual activities for 2016.

The newly formed NIR Regional OSHNet.

Construction safety training for DPWH engineers ongoing

A total of (50) DPWH engineers from various districts of Western Visayas completed the 40-hours Construction Occupational Safety and Health Training last August 1-5, at the HRT Service Center, ISAT U, La Paz, Iloilo City. They were the first batch among four batches that will take part in the activity. 

The training included the mandated course design prescribed by the OSHC and additional topics on the General Labor Standards (GLS), Rules on Implementing Articles 106 to 109 of the Labor Code on the Contracting and Sub-Contracting Arrangements and Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS). The specialized course was in order to enhance the knowledge and to increase the awareness and compliance to Department Oder No. 13 series of 1998 which requires every construction project to have a suitable Construction Safety and Health Program.

Salome O. Siaton, OIC-Regional Director of DOLE-RO6, welcomed the participants and thanked the partners for their undying advocacy towards the achievement of zero accidents in the region. She reiterated that both the public and private are covered by the Standards. “We have to work together to make Region-6 a safe and healthy workplace,” she said.

The training was conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment – Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6), and Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network, Inc. (WVOSHNET).

Salome O. Siaton, DOLE OIC-Regional Director, welcoming the participants and shared her insights and experiences.

Stephene S. Barredo, ECC-Representative, discussing workers' compensations under the ECP. 

Carmela M. Abellar, OIC-TSSD, discussing the general labor standards.

Participants evaluating the safety and health situation of a construction site.

Training on Occupational Safety and Health at Large

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment – Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6), and Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network, Inc. (WVOSHNET), conducted its first mandated 40-hours (5-days) Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) Training for 2016, last Jun. 27-Jul. 1, at the HRT Service Center, Iloilo Science and Technology University, La Paz, Iloilo City.

The training was attended by 50-pax from various private and public organizations. The participants present were contractors, safety officers, management staff, foremen, among others.

Salome O. Siaton, OIC-Regional Director of DOLE-RO6, welcomed the participants and thanked the partners for their full time support towards the achievement of zero accidents in the region. She echoed her experiences on OSH and sadly verbalized that there are those who take OSH for granted. “We can compromise benefits but never the lives of workers,” she said. Let us help one another, not just for compliance but to make Western Visayas a zero accident area, she added.

Engr. Maximo J. Pareja, President of WVOSHNET, Inc., said that their organization will keep on working hand-in-hand with OSHC and DOLE-RO6 to increase schedules of both BOSH and COSH due to high demands in the region; 

Melveen M. Melocoton, Admin Officer of OSHC in Region-6, commended the inspiring efforts of WVOSHNET as the extending arm of the OSHC and DOLE-RO6 in most of its activities on OSH.

During the training, the participants were able to embrace the fundamentals of occupational safety and health wherein they discussed topics on occupational safety, industrial hygiene and occupational health. They were also able to learn the roles of a safety officer, legislations, and its career opportunities. Furthermore, they integrated their learnings attained via a safety and health audit at the Atria Avida Storey 1 and Tower 1, Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The COSH training is in pursuance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and DOLE Department Order 13, series of 1998.