BASIC OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH

Chapter 2: Occupation Safety & Health (OSH); OSH legislation

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH (OSH)

PROGRAM:
OSH Program is a form of insurance that
helps protect a company’s investment in its
employees, machines, and or the whole plant itself.
It is the over-all plan of what management intends
to do to make a workplace safer, thru the concerted
effort of all concerned by upholding the health and
well-being (safety) of all individuals in the workplace
by conducting a plant inspection and job safety
analysis with health hazard identification thru
identification, evaluation, and control.

Key Elements of the Occupational Safety & Health Program:

A. Accident Prevention
B. Safety Promotion
C. Health Protection
D. Health Promotion

Top management participation in an OSH Program is a must, otherwise, no amount of

endeavor by the Safety Engineer/ Manager in carrying out an accident prevention & Health Protection
Program will succeed. A conscientious Safety Engineer/ Manager will always be in a constant state of
frustration without management support.
The four (4) cited key elements of an OSH Program requires a sustained integrated effort by
all employees from top to bottom. Managers are, however, the only ones who can directly implement
Safety & Health Programs and measures with authority. In that subordinates need to carry-out
directives otherwise, the worker may get penalized, suspended, or find
another work elsewhere.
Creating a culture of Safety & Good Health
can be difficult but through constant Safety & Health
promotion it can eventually be established. Once
established, everything else becomes easier as
everyone eventually buys into the concept. AS SUCH,
SAFETY EVENTUALLY NO LONGER IS JUST A
PRACTICE BUT IT BECOMES AN ATTITUDE (As in
religiously being observed and performed). Putting
safety responsibility into the hands of every worker
can help foster accountability at all levels of the
organization.

WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL FACTORS NEEDED TO HAVE A TOP-RATE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY &
HEALTH PROGRAM???

The following elements are needed to have a top-rate Safety Program:

1. There must be forceful, continuous executive leadership.
2. Plant and equipment must be safe.
3. Supervision must be competent and intensively safety-minded.
4. Full employee cooperation in accident prevention must be
secured and maintained, everybody needs to buy-in the safety
first mindset.

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WHAT LEGISLATION IS USED IN THE REGULATION OF OSH
PROGRAMS???
Legislation brought by Presidential Decree (PD)_442 better
known as the LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES is where we learn
about the OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH STANDARDS (OSHS).
This has been superseded by Republic Act (RA)_11058, “AN AcT
STRENGTHENING COMPLIANCE WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY &
HEALTH STANDARDS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF”…, with Implementing Rules & Regaulations set by DOLE
Department Order (DO)_198-18. These standards refer to a set of
rules issued by DOLE which mandates the adoption and use of
appropriate practices, means, methods, operations or processes, &
working conditions reasonably necessary to ensure safe & healthy
employment. THE OSH STANDARDS SHALL APPLY TO ALL PLACES OF
EMPLOYMENT.
OSH Programs are regulated by OSH Standards that are enforced by the Fourteen (14)
Regional Labor Offices and their District Offices under the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) in different parts of the country. DOLE is the enforcing agency and works hand
in hand with the PHILIPPINE REGULATIONS COMMISSION (PRC) and the DEPARTMENT OF TRADE &
INDUSTRY (DTI) in seeing to the implementation of its rules.
*Notes: 1. The OSH Program shall be communicated and be made readily available to all
persons in the workplace. It shall be updated periodically when DOLE and other
government regulating agencies promulgate new rules, guidance, or issuances.
2. The company shall review and evaluate their OSH Program at least once a year or
as necessary, to ensure that its objectives are met towards an improved safety and
health performance.

WHAT ARE THE INCLUSIONS/ PROVISIONS INCLUDED WITHIN AN OSH PROGRAM???

For a Medium to High Risk Establishment with ten (10) to fifty (50) workers and Low to High Risk
Establishments with fifty-one (51) workers and above. The OSH Program which is to be signed by the
employer must at least include the following requirements/ provisions:
1. Company commitment to comply with OSH requirements.
2. General safety and health programs including:
- Safety & Health Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control (HIRAC);
- Medical Surveillance for early detection and management of occupational and work-
related diseases, and;
- First Aid and Emergency Medical Services.
3. Promotion of the following health domains:
- Drug-free workplace (RA 1965);
- Mental Health Services in the Workplace (RA 11036), and;
- Healthy Lifestyle
4. Prevention and Control of the following health domain:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(RA8504);
- Tuberculosis (EO 187-03), and;
- Hepatitis B (DOLE DA 05-2010).
5. Complete company or project details.
6. Composition and duties of the OSH Committee
7. OSH Personnel and facilities
8. Safety and Health Promotion, training, and education, to include the following:
- Orientation of all workers on OSH
- Conduct of Risk Assessment, Evaluation, and Control
- Continuous Training on OSH of OSH Personnel, and;
- Work Permit System such as Working on Height, Working at Confined Spaces, and
other related activities.
9. Conduct of Toolbox or Safety Meetings, and Job safety Analysis
10. Accident/ Incident/ Illness Investigation, Recording, and Reporting

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 11. Provision and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
12. Provision of Safety Signage
13. Dust Control and Management, and regulations on activities such as building of
temporary structures, and lifting and operation of electrical, mechanical, communication
system, and other equipment.
14. Provision of Worker’s Welfare Facilities
15. Emergency and Disaster preparedness and response plant to include the organization
and creation of disaster control groups, business continuity plan, and updating the
hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment as required.
16. Solid Waste Management system
17. Control and management of hazards
18. Prohibited acts and penalties for violations, and
19. Adhere to the cost/ budget in implementing the company OSH Program.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN AN OSH PROGRAM???

The following are the common kind of personnel
employed in an OSH Program:
1. Safety Officer/ Engineer
Describes a person assigned to accident
prevention duties. Most often than not, they
are college graduates in some engineering fields
(not necessarily licensed) and had undergone
the mandatory training required.

Category Prescribed Training on OSH

Safety Officer 1 Mandatory Eight (8) hours OSH Orientation Course and Two (2) hours Trainer’s Training
(SO1)
Safety Officer 2 Mandatory Forty (40) hours Basic OSH Training Course applicable to the Industry
(SO2)
Safety Officer 3 a. Mandatory Forty (40) hours Basic OSH Training Course applicable to the Industry
(SO3) b. Additional Forty-eight (48) hours of advanced/ specialized Occupational Safety training Course
relevant to the Industry, and;
c. Other requirements as prescribed by the OSHS
Safety Officer 4 a. Mandatory Forty (40) hours Basic OSH Training Course applicable to the Industry
(SO4) b. Additional Forty-eight (48) hours of advanced/ specialized Occupational Safety training Course
relevant to the Industry, and;
c. An aggregate of Three Hundred Twenty (320) hours of OSH related training or experience (Additional
training may be converted to years of experience where Eighty (80) hours of training may equal to
One (1) year of experience and vice-versa, and;
d. Other requirements as prescribed by the OSH Standards
First Aider Standard First Aid Training
OH Nurse At least forty (40) hours Basic OSH Training Course for Nurses
OH Dentist At least forty (40) hours Basic OSH Training Course
OH Physician At least fifty-six (56) hours Basic OSH Training Course for OH Physicians

2. Safety Professional/ Manager

A highly knowledgeable expert (through experience) and duly accredited as a Certified Safety
Professional. He maybe a licensed engineer with extensive experience in safety such as a safety
man, safety manager or any other person engaged in safety and accident prevention.
Responsible for the implementation of the Safety Program at the Plant. Under him maybe one
or more safety engineers, an industrial hygienist and other employees knowledgeable in safety
work.
3. First Aider
A first-aider may or may not be a nurse but one who has undertaken some basic medical
training course appropriate to the circumstances.
4. Occupational Health (OH) Nurse
Is a registered nurse who is capable of attending to and giving medical attention to a sick/ ill
or injured individual
5. Occupational Health (OH) Dentist
Is a registered dentist who is capable of attending to and giving medical attention to a person

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 suffering from problems regarding his/ her teeth or gums.
6. Occupational Health (OH) Physician
A registered and qualified medical practitioner who is capable of attending, giving medical
attention , & treating a sick/ ill or injured person.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY PERSONNEL REQUIRED:

No. of Workers Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk
1 to 9 One (1) SO1 One (1) SO2
One (1) SO1
10 to 50 One (1) SO3
One (1) SO2
51 to 99 One (1) SO2 and
One (1) SO2
100 to 199 One (1) SO3
One (1) SO2 and
200 to 250 Two (2) SO2 or Two (2) SO3
One (1) SO3
One (1) SO3
251 to 500 Two (2) SO2 and
One (1) SO3
One (1) SO2 and
501 to 750 Two (2) SO2 and Two (2) SO3
Two (2) SO3
One (1) SO3
751 to 1000 Two (2) SO3
Every additional 250 or -- -- Additional One (1) SO3 or
fraction thereof SO4
Every additional 500 or Additional One (1) SO3 Additional One (1) SO3 or --
fraction thereof SO4

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSONNEL REQUIRED:

Low Risk Medium to High Risk
No. of OH
Workers First aider OH Nurse OH Dentist OH Physician First aider OH Nurse OH Dentist Physician
1-9 1 -- -- -- 1 -- -- --
10-50 1 -- -- -- 1 -- -- --
51-99 1 1 FT -- -- 1 for every 50 1 FT 1 1 PT
workers or a 1 PT & 1 FT
100-199 1 1 1 PT fraction
2 PT
200-250 2 2 FT thereof 2 PT & 1 FT 1 PT & 1 FT

251-500 Addition of 2 FT 2 PT 2 PT & 1 FT 2 PT & 1 FT

1 per 100
501-750 -- 3 PT or -- 3 PT & 1 FT
workers or a
fraction 1 PT & 1 FT
thereof
1001-2000 Addition of -- 1 1 for every 50 1 for every 50 -- 1 2 PT & 1 FT
1 per 100 workers or a workers or a DOLE
workers or a fraction thereof fraction Certified OSH
fraction thereof Practitioner
thereof

>2000 -- -- 2 PT, 1 FT, & 1

FT DOLE
Certified OSH
Practitioner

Per 250 -- -- -- -- 1 FT -- 1 FT or 4 PT
workers or
fraction
thereof
Every 500 -- 1 FT -- -- -- -- -- --
workers or
fraction
thereof

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH FACILITIES:

Low Risk Medium to High Risk
First Aid First Aid
No. of Workers Treatment Room Clinic (No. of Beds) Treatment Room Clinic (No. of Beds)
1-9 1 -- 1 --
10-50 -- 1 --
51-99 1 2 1
100-199 Additional 1 Room for Additional 1 Room for 2
200-250 every 100 workers or a 2 every 50 workers or a
fraction thereof fraction thereof
251-500
501-750 Additional 1 Clinic for every Additional 1 Clinic for
751-1000 200 workers or a fraction every 100 workers or a
thereof fraction thereof
1000-2000
>2000

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  Low Risk Establishment:
Refers to a workplace where there is low level of danger or exposure to safety and health hazards and not likely or
with low probability to result in accident, harm or injury, or illness.
 Medium Risk Establishment:
Refers to a workplace where there is moderate exposure to safety and health hazards and with probability of an
accident, injury or illness, if no preventive or control measures are in place.
 High Risk Establishment:
Refers to a workplace wherein the presence of hazard or potential hazard within a company may also endanger the
lives of people outside the premises of the company/ workplace. There is a high level of exposure to safety & health
hazards, and probability of a major accident resulting to the death or disability, if no preventive control measures are
in place.
These are workplaces commonly associated with potentially high risk activities that include (1) Chemical Works and
Chemical Production Plants; (2) High Rise Construction; (3) Deep Sea Fishing; (4) Explosives & Pyrotechnic Factories;
(5) Fire Fighting; (6) Health Care Facilities; (7) Installation of Communication Towers & Cables; (8) LPG Industry; (9)
Mining; (10) Petrochemical Industry; (11) Power Generation Industry; (12) Hazardous Chemical Distribution &
Storage; (13) Fertilizer Industry;………

PROHIBITED ACTS & ITS CORRESPONDING PENALTIES:

Failure to comply and provide the following requirements results into the following penalties.
DOLE mandated Requirement/ Provision: PENALTY
Registration of Establishment to DOLE PHP20,000.00
Provision of job safety instruction or orientation prior to work PHP20,000.00
Provide worker’s training (first aid, mandatory worker’s training, mandatory OSH training for Safety PHP25,000.00
Officers & Health Personnel
Provision of Safety signage & devices PHP30,000.00
Provision of medical supplies, equipment, & facilities PHP30,000.00
Submission of reportorial requirements as prescribed by OSH standards PHP30,000.00
Provision of Safety Officer and or/ OH Personnel PHP40,000.00
Provision of certified personnel or professional required by OSH standards PHP40,000.00
Establishment of a Safety & Health Committee PHP40,000.00
Formulation & Implementation of a Comprehensive Safety & Health Program PHP40,000.00
Provide information on hazards and risks (absence of chemical safety data sheet, NO written SOP in materials PHP40,000.00
handling, lifting, etc., NO permitting system for confined spaces/ hot works, NO lock-out/ tag-out systems, etc.)
Provide Sanitary & Welfare facilities PHP40,000.00
Use of approved or certified devices & Equipment for the task PHP50,000.00
Provision of PPE or charging of provided PPE to workers PHP50,000.00
Compliance with DOLE issued Work Stoppage Order (WSO) PHP50,000.00
Compliance to other OSH standards PHP40,000.00

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