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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

What is Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)?
OHS is the recognition, assessment, and control of hazards associated with the work environment (Kelloway
et al., 2021). Many incidents could have been prevented through adequate health and safety management
systems with effective controls and monitoring processes. The costs of poor safety management include the
following (Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality [CTH], 2009):
• Fatalities • Cost of sick leaves
• Serious injury/disability • Loss of production
• Compensation claims • Reduced staff morale
• Bad publicity
Formulated in 1978 and amended in 1989, the Occupational Health and Safety Standards is a body of standards
formulated to protect workers against the dangers of injury, sickness, or death through safe and healthful
working conditions, thereby assuring the conservation of valuable manpower resources and the prevention of
loss or damage to lives and properties (Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE], 2017a). The Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is responsible for issuing hazard-specific guidelines and department orders
and implementing rules on occupational health and safety matters (International Labor Organization [ILO],
n.d.).
Important OHS Terms
• Health refers to a sound state of the body and mind of the worker, which enables him to perform his
job normally, in a state of well-being (DOLE, 2017a).
• Safe/Safety refers to the physical or environmental conditions of being protected against failure,
breakage, or accident during work or employment (DOLE, 2017a).
• Work accident shall mean an unplanned or unexpected occurrence that may or may not result in
personal injury, property damage, work stoppage or interference, or any combination thereof, which
arises out of and in the course of employment (DOLE, 2017a).
• A near miss incident is an undesired event that, under slightly different circumstances, could have
resulted in harm to people, property damage, business disruption, or a combination thereof. It is
sometimes called a near miss, close call, warning, near hit, or simply incident (McKinnon, 2020).
• An occupational injury or work injury is any cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation resulting from a
workplace incident (Kelloway et al., 2021).
• An occupational illness is any abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to environmental
factors associated with employment (Kelloway et al., 2021).
• A loss is an unplanned, preventable waste of any resource, be it through injury, loss of time, damaged
product or equipment, or loss of process (McKinnon, 2020).
• Damage is the physical harm to buildings, structures, equipment, product, process, and the
environment normally caused by accidents (McKinnon, 2020).
In 2018, then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Republic Act 11058, entitled “An Act Strengthening
Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”
Its implementing rules and regulations state the rights and duties of employers and workers. These are:
Duties of Employers
• Equip a place of employment for workers free from hazardous conditions
• Provide complete job safety instructions and proper orientation, as well as work environment
familiarization, to all workers

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• Ensure that chemical, physical and biological substances and agents, and ergonomic and psychosocial
stresses under their control are without health risk when appropriate protection measures are taken.
• Use only approved specific industry sets of standards of devices and equipment for the workplace
• Comply with OHS standards
• Make arrangements for workers and their representatives to manage the OHS management system
actively
• Provide measures identifying training and drills, and evacuation plans to deal with emergencies, fires,
and accidents, including first-aid arrangements
• Comply with all reportorial requirements of the OHS standards
• Register establishment to DOLE as provided under the OHS standards.
Duties of Workers
• Participate in capacity-building activities on safety and health and other OHS-related topics and
programs
• Proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished for workers’ protection
• Comply with instructions to prevent accidents or imminent danger situations in the workplace
• Observe prescribed steps to be taken in cases of emergency
• Report to the immediate supervisor or any other responsible safety and health personnel any work
hazard that may be discovered in the workplace.
Workers’ Rights
• Right to Know – All workers shall be appropriately informed by the employer about all types of hazards
in the workplace and be provided access to training, education, and orientation on safety, ergonomics,
and other hazards and risks.
• Right to Refuse Unsafe Work – The worker has the right of refusal to work without threat or reprisal
from the employer if an imminent danger exists.
• Right to Report Accidents – Workers and their representatives shall have the right to report accidents,
dangerous occurrences, and hazards to the employer, DOLE, and other concerned government
agencies. They shall be free from any form of retaliation for reporting any accident.
• Right to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – The employer shall provide workers free of charge
PPE for any part of the body that may be exposed to hazards whenever necessary because of
hazardous work processes or environments.
Workplace Hazards
Injuries and diseases in the workplace occur due to unsafe acts and conditions. Unsafe acts occur when
employees do not conform or depart from an established standard, rule, or policy. These often happen when
an employee has an improper attitude, physical limitations, or lacks knowledge or skills. Unsafe conditions
are the physical or chemical properties of a material, machine, or environment that could cause injury to
people, property damage, disrupt operations, or other losses. These conditions could be guarded or prevented
(OSHC, 2017b). Table 1 shows examples of unsafe acts and conditions.
Table 1
Examples of Unsafe Acts and Conditions
UNSAFE ACTS UNSAFE CONDITIONS
 Not wearing personal protective equipment  Slippery floors
when handling chemicals  No safety locks/guards on large equipment
 Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol  No proper ventilation in an enclosed space
 Using any equipment without prior knowledge
of operating it

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Types of Accidents
Accidents and diseases can be prevented by identifying the risks and taking appropriate preventive measures.
The list below shows the basic types of accidents. Managers, workers, and safety committees look at these
accident types and use them to check which procedures, processes, occupations, and/or tasks present a
hazard that may cause any of the accident types (Reese, 2015).
• Struck-Against. It refers to an accident where a worker strikes against something stationary or gets
into contact forcefully and unexpectedly. For example, hitting the head against a low beam.
• Struck-By. It refers to accidents where a worker is struck abruptly with force by something that moves.
For example, getting hit by falling boxes or a door swinging open.
• Contact-By. It refers to accidents in which an object or agent moves toward the worker, injuring him
by nonforceful contact. For example, steam burns the skin while opening a pot.
• Contact-With. It is an accident where the worker moves toward the agent or object, causing injury by
nonforceful contact. An example is spilling cleaning chemicals on bare skin while cleaning.
• Caught-In. A caught-in accident is when the person, or some part of their body, is caught in an
enclosure or opening. An example of this is falling into an opening on a floor.
• Caught-On. This type of accident involves the worker getting caught on a stationary protruding object,
causing a fall, or the worker’s clothing getting caught on a moving object, pulling them in. Examples
of this are tripping on wires or a piece of clothing getting caught on a piece of equipment.
• Caught-Between. Accidents of this type involve a part of the body caught between something moving
and something stationary or between two (2) moving objects. An example is when the hands get stuck
inside a blender.
• Fall-same-level and Fall-to-Below. On both types, workers either slip or trip on something, causing
them to fall to the ground. The difference between the two (2) is the height from where they fell from.
The fall-to-below accidents occur when workers work above ground or floor level, and the resulting
injuries are usually more severe. An example of a fall-same-level accident is slipping on wet floors,
while falling from a ladder is a fall-to-below accident.
• Overexertion. It is an accident where a worker is injured from overexertion in lifting, pulling, or
pushing materials and/or equipment. Being in an awkward position for long periods may cause strains
and sprains. Repetitive motions such as chopping or typing on the keyboard cause abnormal pressure
on tendons and nerves.
• Exposure. This type of accident refers to injury from exposure to unhealthy and unsafe environmental
conditions such as noise, extreme temperatures, poor air, and toxic fumes. An example is food servers
being exposed to loud music while working in a nightclub.
First Aid
First aid refers to the emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid
can be obtained (Merriam-Webster, n.d.b). Administering immediate care can save a life. However, it is
important to only perform first aid according to the level of training received. Performing first aid without
proper training may do more harm than good.
The American Red Cross (n.d.) recommends the following steps in checking an injured or ill person:
1. Check the scene for safety. Make sure there is no more danger, like the risk of falling debris, moving
machinery, live wires, and open fire. Form an initial impression, obtain consent from the injured
person, and use PPE if necessary.
2. Check for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding, or other life-threatening conditions
using shout-tap-shout. Do this for no more than ten (10) seconds.

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o If the person does not respond, responds but is not fully awake, is not breathing or is only grasping,
or has life-threatening bleeding or other conditions, call emergency services immediately and give
care based on their condition and check if additional care is necessary. Do not perform chest
compressions without proper training.
o If the person is responsive or responds to stimulation, is fully awake, and does not appear to have
any life-threatening conditions, interview the person and ask about signs and symptoms, allergies,
medications, and medical conditions. Take note of how the person is acting. Do not move the
person if there is a suspected head, neck, or spinal injury. Do not ask the person to move any area
of the body that causes discomfort or pain.
3. After checking, call emergency services or have someone do it while performing first aid. Remember
to only give care based on the condition found and the level of training received.
First-Aid Kit
For non-hazardous workplaces with 100+ workers, the following medicines, medical supplies, and equipment
are required to be on hand under the Occupational Health and Safety Standards in cases of minor injuries and
medical emergencies:
✓ Topical antiseptic – such as povidone-iodine, used in wound cleansing to kill microorganisms
✓ 70% Isopropyl alcohol – used for general antiseptic/disinfectant
✓ Aromatic scent of ammonia – to be inhaled, used as a stimulant after fainting
✓ Hydrogen peroxide solution – mild antiseptic used in wound cleansing, commonly known as Agua
Oxinada
✓ Burn ointment – used to relieve pain from burns
✓ Analgesic/antipyretic medicine – such as paracetamol, is used as a pain reliever and reduces fever
✓ Antihistamine tablets – such as loratadine or cetirizine, are used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis
✓ Anti-diarrheal tablets – such as loperamide, are used to relieve symptoms of diarrhea
✓ Thermometer – used to take internal body temperature
✓ Stethoscope – a device used for listening to internal sounds of the body
✓ Sphygmomanometer – a device used for measuring blood pressure
✓ Sterile gauze pads – for dressing cuts, scratches, and burns
✓ Gauze bandage – for dressing cuts, scratches, and burns
✓ Adhesive tape – to keep gauze in place
✓ Absorbent cotton – used for applying topical ointments
✓ Bandage scissors – used for cutting bandages, gauze, and adhesive tapes
✓ Triangular bandage – used as a large dressing or as a sling to support sprained limbs
✓ Safety pins – to keep the triangular bandage in place
✓ Hot water bag – used for hot compress
✓ Ice bag – used for a cold compress
✓ Wooden tongue depressors – used for oral examination; can also be used as temporary splints for
broken fingers
✓ Rubber tourniquet – used to constrict blood flow on arms or legs
✓ First aid box with pamphlet – The pamphlet contains a guide in giving first aid assistance for various
situations as well as emergency hotlines.
Treating with First Aid
Below are the first aid steps for some common minor injuries as recommended by the Mayo Clinic:
• Burns involve tissue damage from contacting hot liquids, flames, chemicals, electricity, and steam.

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For minor burns:

1. Cool the burn by holding the area under cool water for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove rings or other tight items around the burned area. Do this quickly, as the area is
expected to swell.
3. Do not break any blister. If it breaks, gently clean the area with clean water and apply
antibiotic ointment.
4. Apply lotion or burn ointment. It will provide relief and prevent the area from drying.
5. Loosely bandage the burn to protect the blistered skin.
6. Take a nonprescription pain reliever if needed.
Electrical burns, including those caused by lightning and major chemical burns, need emergency
medical care. A minor burn might need emergency care if it affects the eyes, mouth, hands, or genital
areas.
• Cuts and Scrapes. They may occur from using knives and machinery in kitchens, laundry shops, and
engineering workshops. For minor cuts and scrapes:
1. Wash hands to avoid infection.
2. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure or elevating the wound.
3. Rinse the wound with water and wash the area with soap.
4. Apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly to protect from infections, keep the surface moist, and
prevent scarring.
5. Cover the wound with gauze to keep it clean. Leave it uncovered if the injury is just a minor
scratch or scrape. Change the gauze frequently.
Harassment in the Workplace
Bullying
Workplace bullying (psychological harassment or emotional abuse) results from a repeated conscious effort
to mentally wound and seriously harm another person with words and actions, not violence. It was commonly
viewed as a social problem and not addressed as occupational health and safety issue until recently (Reese,
2016).
Bullying has various effects on both the employees and the organization. According to the Canadian Safety
Council, targets of bullying waste 10-52% of their time at work consumed by the effects of their tormenters.
They were demotivated, highly stressed, often absent, fearful, anxious, and depressed. Targets are more likely
to have stress-related illnesses like heart disease, sleep dysfunction, and diabetes (Reese, 2016). Some effects
on the organization include (Gordon, 2022):
• Lost productivity
• Erosion of employee loyalty and commitment
• Increased staff turnover
• Additional costs to recruit and train employees
• Poor public image
Organizational efforts dealing with bullying take one of two (2) forms. First is through investigation and
resolution of complaints. The second is promoting a respectful workplace (Kelloway et al., 2021). Sherry
Gordon, a bullying prevention expert and author, recommends the following strategies for coping with bullying
in the workplace (Gordon, 2022):
• Set boundaries. Let the bully know, professionally and respectfully, what they’ve done is unacceptable
and that if it occurs again, it will not be tolerated.

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• Confront the behavior. Once boundaries are set, follow through with consequences. Call out the
behavior and ask the bully to leave and return only when they can behave in a professional, work-
appropriate manner.
• Keep track of the abuse. Document the incidents by writing down details, including the time, how it
happened, and any witnesses present. Record any information that can confirm the abuse.
• Talk to the management or human resources. If the bullying was not resolved successfully, check the
employee handbook to learn more about the company policy on workplace harassment and the steps
needed to file a complaint.
Sexual Harassment
Republic Act no 11313, known as the Safe Spaces Act, stipulates in Article IV, Section 16 that the crime of
gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace includes the following:
• An act or series of acts involving any unwelcome sexual advances, requests or demands for sexual
favors, or any act of sexual nature, whether done verbally, physically, or through the use of technology
(e.g., text messaging or e-mail or other forms of information and communication systems) that has or
could have a detrimental effect on the conditions of an individual’s employment or education, job
performance or opportunities.
• A conduct of sexual nature and other conduct-based on sex affecting the dignity of a person, which is
unwelcome, unreasonable, and offensive to the recipient, whether done verbally, physically, or
through the use of technology.
• Conduct that is unwelcome and pervasive that creates an intimidating, hostile, or humiliating
environment for the recipient.
The Act also says, “Employers or other persons of authority, influence or moral ascendancy in a workplace
shall have the duty to prevent, deter, or punish the performance of acts of gender-based sexual harassment
in the workplace.” It is done by:
• Providing measures to prevent sexual harassment (e.g., anti-sexual harassment seminars)
• Create an independent committee that shall investigate and address sexual harassment complaints
• Provide a code of conduct that expressly prohibits sexual harassment and set administrative penalties.
Employees and co-workers also have duties under this law. These are:
• Refrain from committing acts of gender-based sexual harassment;
• Discourage the conduct of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace;
• Provide emotional or social support to fellow employees, co-workers, colleagues, or peers who are
victims of gender-based sexual harassment; and
• Report acts of gender-based sexual harassment witnessed in the workplace.

Safe and Healthy Workplace

Accidents and diseases can be prevented by identifying the risks and taking appropriate preventive measures.
Risk assessment is the identification of hazards, the likelihood and possible risks of harm occurring, and the
preventative measures taken to control the risks (CTH, 2009). Risk assessments' overall goal is to avoid near-
miss incidents, thus resulting in safe operations (Kelloway et al., 2021). These are the steps when conducting
risk assessment:
1. Hazard Identification – The first step in risk assessment is identifying the hazard, its type, and its
sources. Hazards can be categorized into five (5) types: people, equipment, environment, materials,
and processes.

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Some methods used in hazard identification include (Kelloway et al., 2021):

o Walk-through survey – It is a survey in which a safety professional walks through a worksite
and notes hazards.
o Safety Sampling - It is a systematic survey procedure undertaken by safety personnel who
record their observations of unsafe practices on a sampling document.
2. Risk Analysis. It is the step in risk assessment where the risk of an incident or injury is determined.
The two (2) main pillars of risk analysis are probability and consequences (Kelloway et al., 2021).
o Probability refers to the chance or likelihood that an event will happen and result in harm or
loss.
o Consequences correspond to the severity of the injury, harm, or loss and can range from dust
in the eye, to amputation of a finger, to death.
3. Risk Control. It is the final step of the risk assessment process, where preventive and corrective
measures are established to control the risks. Risk control measures range from totally removing the
risk to reducing the risk probability. The risk controls are (Kelloway et al., 2021):
o Elimination – It is the process of removing a hazard from the workplace.
o Substitution – It involves replacing or changing equipment or materials for less hazardous
ones.
o Engineering Controls – These are modifications of work processes, equipment, and materials
to reduce exposure to hazards. Some engineering controls are:
▪ Process modification – It refers to changing the way the work is done. For example,
using a food processor instead of chopping large quantities of garlic by hand.
▪ Ventilation – It refers to removing contaminated air and replacing it with fresh air.
The exhaust system in the kitchen is an example of this.
▪ Equipment design – Controls and displays on equipment should be visible, legible,
and user-friendly. It should also be interpreted the same way by using universal
symbols to avoid confusion in using the equipment.
▪ Machine guarding – This refers to protecting workers from the hazards and energies
created by moving machinery. An example is adding barriers or enclosure guards to
prevent workers from entering a hazardous area.
o Administrative controls are changes to work practices, policies, procedures, training, and
rules. These include management involvement, training of employees, rotation of employees,
environmental sampling, and medical surveillance to protect individuals. Some administrative
controls are:
▪ Safety awareness – This refers to programs that attempt to inform workers about
health and safety issues and to remind them of the importance of health and safety.
It can be done through public awareness campaigns and
onboarding/orientation/training new employees.
▪ Visible reminders – These are visual reminders of the importance of safety for
workers. These can be done through posters, signages, or booklets.
▪ Awards and incentives - Individual employees can be given incentives to maintain
good safety performance. However, safety awards and incentive programs must be
carefully designed and executed to ensure that employees and employers are
engaging in safe work behaviors for the right reasons and not simply because they
are rewarded for doing so.

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▪ Housekeeping - Ensuring that the worksite is clean and that workers have access to
cleaning facilities will contribute to the control of hazards. A clean, orderly
workplace can reduce hazards and, at the same time, increase efficiency.
▪ Preventive maintenance - It refers to the orderly, continuous, and scheduled
protection and repair of equipment and buildings. The main benefits of this process
are uninterrupted production and the reduction of potential hazards caused by
equipment failure.
▪ Monitoring/Auditing - Monitoring is an integral part of hazard control and is a
continual process that occurs at various points in time with regularity. Audits are
done to ensure that hazard controls are functioning effectively and to identify new
hazards.
o Personal Protective Equipment – This refers to using PPE. PPE consists of clothing, helmets,
goggles, and other devices that protect individuals from specific hazards. To ensure that PPE
is used safely, it must be:
▪ Suitable for the activity
▪ Suitable for the person who will wear it
▪ Maintained in good condition
▪ Replaced as and when necessary
▪ Correctly used by all staff at all times
Not every control is perfect; therefore, it is necessary that for each level within the hierarchy, different
types of controls (from each category) should be implemented (Kelloway et al., 2021).

References:
American Red Cross (n.d.) First aid steps. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-
aid/performing-first-aid/first-aid-steps
Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (2009) Food hygiene, health and safety: Study guide. BPP Learning Media.
Department of Labor and Employment (2017) Occupational Health and Safety standards. Occupational Safety and Health Center
Department of Labor and Employment (2017) OSH guidelines for the hotel industry. Occupational Safety and Health Center
Gordon, S. (2022, February 21). The effects of workplace bullying. In Verywellmind.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-effects-of-workplace-bullying-460628
International Labour Organization (2013) Philippines. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/legosh/en/f?p=14100:1100:0::NO::P1100_ISO_CODE3,P1100_SUBCODE_CODE,P1100_YEAR:PHL,,
2013
Kelloway, E. K., Francis, L., Gatien, B., and Belcourt, M. (2021) Management of occupational health and safety (8th ed.). Nelson
Education Ltd.
Mayo Clinic (n.d.) First aid. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid
McKinnon, R. C. (2020) The design, implementation, and audit of occupational and safety management systems. CRC Press.
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Safety. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/safety
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). First aid. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/first%20aid
Reese, C. D. (2015) Occupational health and safety management: A practical approach (3rd ed.). CRC Press
Safe Spaces Act of 2018. Official Gazette. (2018) https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2019/04/17/republic-act-no-11313/

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