COSH Training for Safety Officers on July '17

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment - Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6) and the Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network, Inc. (WVOSHNET), will be conducting the 40-hours mandated basic course for safety officers in the construction industry required under the Occupational Safety & Health Standards of the Philippines, specifically Rule 1030, as amended by Department Order No. 16 – Series of 2001 and Department Order No. 13 (DO-13) “Guidelines Governing Occupational Safety & Health in the Construction Industry” of the Department of Labor and Employment, respectively. 

In addition, COSH is also a requirement for the application and renewal of the PCAB License as well as for construction company’s appointed STEs. Furthermore, the training aims to provide participants with knowledge and skills on occupational safety and health (OSH) that will enable them to plan and develop their company’s Safety and Health Program and improve their knowledge and skills on the principles and methods of accident and illness prevention in the workplace.

For further inquiries, please visit our Facebook page at OSHC REU6.

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

OSHC trains safety officers for construction projects in Bacolod City

DOLE-NIR OIC-Asst. Regional Director Atty. Jason P. Balais,
welcomed the participants during the COSH for safety officers.

The OSHC-REU6, in partnership with DOLE-NIR and the SONO, Inc., is currently conducting the 40-hours Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) training for safety officers from April 24-28, 2017, at the SWDC Bldg., DOLE, Bacolod City. A total of 33-participants consisting of 27-companies were present since the start of the training.

The training was organized due to the fast growing of construction activities and the demand for certified safety officers in the region pursuance to the DOLE Department Order 131-13 on labor laws compliance system.

At the kick-start of the training, DOLE-NIR OIC-Asst. Regional Director, Atty. Jason P. Balais, welcomed the participants and thanked the facilitators for the active support and dedication on OSH in the region which is a vital element towards inclusive growth.

Information so far discussed where the global and local setting of OSH, safe/unsafe acts and conditions in the workplace, OSH situations in construction site premises. In the later days, OSH legislation governing the construction industry, the employees’ compensation program, among others.

Ruge P. Balladares facilitating the topic on
unsafe/ unhealthy acts and conditions.

The OSHC makes the region “visible” by reaching out to stakeholders that are in parallel with the objectives of the zero accident program. Construction firms covered by the Standards, are capacitated through the mandated training to provide champions on OSH in all construction projects of the region resulting in a better work environment, better labor relations, and better productivity.

We will continue to work hand-in-hand with our partners to ensure that all workers are informed, capacitated, and technically assisted in all matters on safety and health, said Melveen M. Melocoton, administrative officer of OSHC-REU6. // MM

OSHC on safety standards during LMC area-wide orientation in Iloilo City

The OSHC-Regional Extension Unit No. 6, together with the Labor-Management Cooperation (LMC) Convergence Team, conducted an orientation on one of the vital programs and services of DOLE last April 19, 2017, at the NCMB-RB6 Office, Jaro, Iloilo City. A total of 15-representatives from 11- different companies attended the activity.

Melveen Melocoton, the Administrative Officer of OSHC-REU6, discussed the key points in the OSH Standards especially Rule 1030 on the training of safety officers and Rule 1040 on the creation and strengthening of a safety and health committee which are vital to the LMC.

During the discussion, participants voiced concerns about the need for training of a safety officer and organization of a safety and health committee even if there are only less than (5) workers in a certain establishment. Also, some voiced out on the need to reassess the OSH policies and programs of their respective companies so that it will be parallel with the OSH Standards.

Furthermore, he informed the attendees that the OSHC conducts training via the OSHNet and STOs on a monthly basis to cater the demands of establishments and will provide technical assistance to enhance and strengthen the implementation of OSH programs in order to safeguard the workers against occupational hazards, accidents, and illnesses.

After the activity, the team met and proposed for an area-wide training-workshop on May 29 & 30, 2017. One representative each from labor and management from (15) small and medium companies will be invited. These are the companies (with or without LMCs, OSH, PIP and Family Welfare committees) invited since January up to April area-wide convergence activities.

The LMC Convergence Team (LMC-LCT) in Western Visayas strengthens the delivery of its mandates to establishments in Iloilo City via the area-wide orientation. Later on, all of the LMC-LCT’s programs and services shall be converged through a plant-level structure to address decent work deficits, foster harmonious labor-management relationships and industrial peace, and increase productivity and competitiveness of enterprises. // MM

OSHC orients on safety standards during the DOLE-LHP in Iloilo & Capiz

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) conducted an orientation on the key points of the OSH standards during the seminar on labor relation, human relation, and productivity (LHP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Regional Office 6 in Iloilo and Capiz last Mar. 14 & 17, 2017.

The seminar is DOLE’s contribution in the labor education and advocacy aspect to address the challenge of business competitiveness in the workplace. It is a one-day course for employees, supervisors/employers or mixed employees and employers/supervisors. 

Melveen Melocoton, OSHC-REU6 Administrative Officer, emphasized that in order to attain good relationships and better productivity, organizations must safeguard the safety and health of its workers. It is through a company's strong OSH policies and OSH committee that industrial peace and productivity can be fully achieved.

"The OSHC is willing to provide technical assistance and capacity building activities to align company OSH policies with the OSH Standards."

Schedules on training like the 40-hours mandated Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) and the Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) are conducted monthly in Iloilo City and Bacolod City to cater the demands of companies in acquiring competent safety officers.

The OSHC will improve its collaboration with the DOLE-RO6 to further strengthen OSH policies and programs, provide quality OSH services, and expand linkages with stakeholders that support the zero accident (ZAP) program in the region. // MM

Melveen Melocoton of OSHC-REU6 conducting the OSH orientation to 46-attendees
during the LHP Seminar at EON Centennial Resorts Hotel and Waterpark, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Melveen Melocoton of OSHC-REU6 conducting the OSH orientation to 50-attendees
during the LHP Seminar at MVW Tourist Inn & Restaurant, Roxas City, Capiz.