MANAGEMENT OF OSH

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSH Standards)

• As amended in 1989 serves as the country’s central legislation in promoting a safe
and healthy workplace for all working people by protecting them against all hazards
in their work environment.
• On August 17, 2018 the OSH Law was updated though Republic Act No. 11058,
An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards
and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.
• Its corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was published on
December 7, 2018 through Department Order No. 198.
• The regulations or areas covered by 1989 OSH which have not been revised by
R.A. No. 11058 still applies.
• In order to promote the safety and health of workers, the policies and programs
implemented aim to be dynamic, inclusive, and gender-sensitive.
The Act applies to all establishments, projects, sites, and other places where work is being
undertaken.
This includes establishments located inside special economic zones; utilities engaged in

◦ air, sea, and land transportation;

◦ the mining, fishing, construction, agriculture, and maritime industries, among

others; and,

◦ contractors and subcontractors engaged in projects of the public sector.

However, the OSH standards do not apply to the public sector as they have their own
set of rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission and other
government agencies.
 Institutional Structure and Mechanism
• To effectively implement the OSH standards, the Secretary of Labor and
Employment has the authority to conduct annual spot audits to check for
compliance.
• No person or entity shall obstruct, impede, or delay the orders of the Secretary of
Labor and Employment or their representatives.
• The Secretary may also order the stoppage of work or suspension of operations
of any unit of an establishment when non-compliance with the law or IRR poses
grave and imminent danger to the health and safety of workers in the workplace.

MANAGEMENT OF OSH

1. Workers Participation
a. Duties and rights of Employers and Workers
b. Workplace Requirements
2. Trainings
a. Safety Officers OSH Training
b. Required training of safety and health personnel
3. Key Performance Indicators – compliance requirements and penalties

1. Worker Participation - Duties and Rights of Employers and Workers

Duties of Employers

• Provide a place of employment for workers which is free from hazardous conditions
that are causing or are likely to cause death, illness, or physical harm to the workers.

• Provide complete job safety instruction and proper orientation to all workers, including
those relating to familiarization with their work environment.

• Ensure that chemical, physical, and biological substances and agents and ergonomic
and psychosocial stressors do not pose a risk to health.
• Use only approved specific industry set of standards of devices and equipment for the
workplace.

Duties and Rights of Employers and Workers

Duties of Employers
• Comply with OSH standards: training, medical examination, provisions on
protective and safety devices (e.g. PPE and machine guards). Training for workers
includes health promotion, hazards associated with their work, health risks
involved or to which they are exposed to, preventive measures to eliminate or
minimize risks, steps to be taken in cases of emergency, and safety instruction for
the jobs, activities, and tasks to be handled by workers.
• Involve workers in the process of organizing, planning, implementing, monitoring,
and evaluating the OSH management system.
• Provide for trainings and drills, evacuation plans, etc., to deal with emergencies,
fires, and accidents including first-aid arrangements.
• Comply with all reportorial requirements of the OSH standards.
• Register establishment to DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment).
• Install safety signage and devices in prominent positions and strategic locations,
in a language understandable to all, and in accordance with OSH standards on
sign colors, to warn workers and the public of hazards in the workplace
• Have workers undergo appropriate training and certification as a requirement
before the use of heavy duty equipment.
• Is liable for complying with OSH standards, including the penalties imposed for
violations.
• In the case of a stoppage of work due to imminent danger as a result of the
employer’s fault, the affected workers must still be paid their corresponding wages
during the period of suspension of operations.

Duties of Workers
• Participate in capacity building activities on safety and health.
• Undergo the mandatory workers’ OSH seminar.
• Proper use of all safeguards and safety devices provided 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 (i.e. participating during

the conduct of national or local disaster drills.

• Report to their immediate supervisor or any other responsible safety and health
personnel any work hazard that may be discovered in the workplace.

• File claims for compensation benefits due to work-related disability or death.

Rights of Workers

• 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 and risks.

• Right to Refuse Unsafe Work – The worker has the right to refuse work without threat
or reprisal from the employer if an imminent danger situation exists.

• Right to Report Accidents – Workers and their representatives shall have the right to
report accidents, dangerous occurrences, and hazards to the employer, to DOLE, and
other concerned government agencies. They shall be free from any form of retaliation
for reporting an accident.

• Right to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Employers shall provide workers

PPE for any part of the body that may be exposed to hazards; a lifeline, safety belt, or
 harness; and respirators, masks, or shields when necessary. This should be free of
charge.

1. Worker Participation - Workplace Requirements

OSH Program – Workplaces covered by the OSH Standards must implement a suitable
OSH Program depending on its size and level of risk.
This program should be communicated and be made readily available to all persons in
the workplace.
Likewise, the establishment should also submit a copy of their OSH program to the DOLE
Regional, Provincial, Field, or Satellite Office having jurisdiction over them.

2. Trainings

3. Key Performance Indicators – Compliance Requirements and Penalties

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
September 22, 2023
Industrial Hygiene
- Is the science of protecting the health and safety of people in the workplace.

Industrial hygienists can:

• Use applied scientific principles to identify hazards
• Compile and analyze data about workplace risks
• Interpret toxicology reports
• Develop controls and remediation programs to address hazards and risks
• Work with organizational managers to communicate and integrate these programs
effectively
• Manage and monitor these programs to improve health in the workplace

According to 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest employers
of occupational health and safety specialists, including industrial hygienists, were:
• Government organizations
• Manufacturing companies
• Construction companies
• Scientific and technical consulting services
• Hospitals

While on the job, industrial hygienists are often required to wear protective
equipment, such as gloves, masks, and respirators, to keep themselves safe
from potential harm.
The processes of industrial hygiene involve –
➢identifying,
➢analyzing, and

➢controlling
workplace conditions and hazards to prevent dangerous and harmful work environments.
Most Common Workplace Hazards
1. Safety - conditions or practices that can cause accidents or injuries. Examples
include slips, trips, falls, electrical hazards, and unsafe equipment operation.

2. Physical - factors in the environment that can cause harm without necessarily
touching them. Examples include extreme temperatures, noise, radiation, and vibration.

3. Ergonomic - related to the design of workspaces and equipment. They can lead to
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and include poor workstation setup, repetitive
movements, and improper lifting techniques.

4. Organization - related to how work is organized and managed. Examples include

excessive workload, lack of job security, and inadequate training and supervision.

5. Chemical - substances that can cause harm to employees' health. These include
exposure to toxic chemicals, gases, fumes, and flammable materials.

6. Biological - hazards stem from exposure to living organisms or their byproducts.

Examples include infectious agents (bacteria, viruses), allergens, and exposure to
bodily fluids.

Types of Controls
1. Elimination - The highest level of hazard control, this control involves completely
removing
the hazard from the workplace. This can be achieved by redesigning processes or using
alternative materials or methods that do not pose a hazard.

2. Substitution - involves replacing a hazardous substance or process with a less

hazardous one. For example, substituting a toxic chemical with a safer alternative.
3. Engineering Controls - modify the workplace or equipment to reduce the risk of
exposure to hazards. Examples include ventilation systems to remove airborne
contaminants and machine guards to prevent contact with moving parts.

4. Administrative Controls - policies, procedures, and work practices that aim to reduce
exposure to hazards. These controls include training, signage, job rotation, and
scheduling breaks to reduce exposure to ergonomic hazards.

5. Personal Protective Equipment - includes items like helmets, gloves, goggles,

respirators, and protective clothing. PPE is used as a last line of defense when other
controls are not feasible or sufficient. It is meant to protect the worker directly
Occupational Health and Safety Preventive and Protective
Measures
1. Engineering Controls
2. Administrative Controls
3. Personal Protective Equipment

Engineering Controls
• Physical or mechanical measures implemented to eliminate or reduce workplace
hazards at the source.
• Designed to prevent exposure to hazards rather than relying on employee
behavior.
• Principles involve modifying the workplace or its processes to make them
inherently safer.
• This can include the substitution of hazardous materials, enclosing or isolating the
hazard, or installing ventilation systems to control airborne contaminants.

Examples of Engineering Controls:

• Installing machine guards to prevent contact with moving parts.
• Using local exhaust ventilation systems to remove harmful fumes or dust.
• Redesigning processes to reduce noise levels.
• Implementing automatic shut-off systems for machinery.
• Installing safety interlocks on equipment to prevent access during operation.

Administrative Controls
Measures that involve the establishment of policies, procedures, and work
practices to reduce workplace hazards.
These controls rely on human behavior and compliance with established
rules.
Examples of Administrative Controls:
• Developing and enforcing safety policies and procedures.
• Conducting safety training programs for employees.
 • Establishing safe work practices and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Rotating workers to reduce exposure to hazards.
• Implementing job hazard analysis to identify and mitigate risks.
• Creating an emergency response plan and evacuation procedures.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Consists of wearable devices and clothing designed to protect
• individuals from specific workplace hazards.
• The last line of defense and is used when engineering and
• administrative controls are not sufficient to eliminate the hazard.

Proper use of PPEs:

• Selecting the appropriate type of PPE for the specific hazard (e.g., safety glasses,
• gloves, respirators).
• Ensuring that PPE fits properly and is in good condition.
• Training employees on how to correctly use, wear, and maintain their PPE.
• Regularly inspecting and replacing damaged or worn PPE.
• Storing PPE properly when not in use.
• Encouraging and enforcing PPE usage as required for specific tasks or situations.