OSHC Conducts Ergonomics Training in Bacolod City

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the national authority for research and training on matters pertaining to safety and health at work in the Philippines, conducted the two-day training on “Ergonomics in the Workplace” last March 1-2, 2017 at the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel, Burgos Ext., Reclamation Area, Bacolod City. 

The training was aimed to increase the knowledge on applied ergonomics in the workplace including the identification, assessment, and management of ergonomic risk factors in the office and industrial setting. The course was designed for participants to be actively involved in the development of preventive actions in their respective organizations.

A total number of (42) pax from various fields of expertise and organizations, both private and public, in the country participated in the training. It was made possible by the request of the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (SONO,Inc.) with the purpose to expand the advance OSH course in the Negros Island Region.

DOLE-NIR OIC-Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao, during his welcome remarks, reiterated that safety and health of workers are important and should not be taken for granted. Thus, a stronger partnership with stakeholders is made to ensure the quality of training and services on OSH in the regions.

Discussions facilitated were related to identifying and evaluating ergonomic risk factors, health consequences of ergonomics risk factors, improving workplace ergonomics, and on assessing company responses to ergonomic problems. With this, the OSHC trusts that those who completed the training will enhance the advocacy of ergonomics as a vital aspect in every company's OSH policies and programs.// MM

Kick Start of Construction Safety and Health Training in Bacolod

OIC-Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao
giving his welcome address.

A total of 48 participants attended the DOLE-mandated construction safety and health training for CY2017. It was conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment - Negros Island Region (DOLE-NIR), and the Safety Organization of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (SONO, Inc.) last February 20-24, at the Sugar Workers Development Center, Cottage Rd., Bacolod City.

DOLE-NIR OIC-Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao, welcomed the participants and thanked the facilitators for their full support in the capacity building of safety officers in the region. "Don't take the training for granted. We will assist you in very step of the way to keep our workers safe and healthy. You will be the contact of DOLE in partnership for the promotion of the welfare, protection, and promotion of the people," he said.

Participants having their workshop.

OSHC-REU6 Administrative Officer, Melveen Melocoton, restated that the training is a basic requirement towards a career in occupational safety and health for safety officers. Afterward, the participants should do their best to acquire the credentials required to level up in becoming DOLE-accredited OSH practitioners and later on as OSH consultants.

"We will enhance our collaboration with the DOLE-NIR and the SONO, Inc. to further schedule more training in the region. One of them is the ergonomics training which will be conducted by the OSHC on Mar. 1-2, at Bacolod Pavillon Hotel," he added.

Site visit activity

During the training, the participants visited (2) on-going construction sites from Almana Construction Development Corporation and J. Santos Construction Inc. to provide an actual situation of unsafe conditions, hazards and good points on OSH by each contractor. Then, the consolidated report on assessments and recommendations will be given to the contractors to serve as free safety and health audit of their projects.

With the training of more competent safety officers in the region, the attainment of a healthy, well-protected working population in the region is at hand.//MM

COSHEMAP COSH Schedule in Iloilo on February

Please click link for the invitation letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwccZlG-njbLUFF6WDA0R3RQckE/view?usp=sharing 

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