Are Our Workers and

Workplaces Safe and Healthy?

Occupational Safety and Health in
the Philippines

Ma. Teresita Somera-Cucueco, MD, MOH

Executive Director
Occupational Safety and Health Center

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
OSH SITUATIONER
International and Philippine Data

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
 Global OSH Data
•  337M accidents causing > 4 days absence

•  360,000 work-related fatal accidents

•  1.95M work-related fatal diseases

•  2.31M total fatal accidents & diseases

•  320,000 die from exposures to biological

risks (viral, bacterial, insect or animal-related risks)

•  170,000 agri workers die per year

Source: Safework- Introductory Report - 2008

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
 Key Local OSH Data

Data Sources:
•  2001-2005 Work Accidents/Illnesses
Summary – BWC based on mandatory reporting
requirements of the OSH Standards (OSHS)

•  Occupational Injuries Summary –BLES

based on survey done every other year

•  NSO Household Survey Data

•  OSHC Database
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
 Work Accident Summary
Number of Work Accident Cases (2001-2005)

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
NCR CAR RI RII RIII R IV RV RVI RVII RVIII RIX RX RXI RXII CARAGA ARMM

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
 BLES Integrated Survey (BITS)

  BLES Integrated Survey (BITS) is conducted by the Bureau of Labor

and Employment Statistics in coordination with the DOLE Regional
Offices.

  As a vital supplementary source of data to administrative-based

statistics on occupational safety and health in DOLE, the BITS is a
nationwide survey.

  For 2007, BITS covered 6,460 sample nonagricultural establishments

with 20 or more workers.

  2007 Occupational Injuries Survey – magnitude of establishments

affected by occupational accidents, count of accidents, number and
type of cases of injuries due to these accidents

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Occupational Accidents and Injuries:
2003 and 2007

52,515

Source: 2003/2007 OIS of the BITS

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Occupational Injuries: 2007

Source: 2003/2007 OIS of the BITS

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
KEY LOCAL DATA:

• Manufacturing had the highest number

of reported accidents followed by
agriculture & wholesale/retail trade

•  121,624 man-days were lost which could

have been used productively!

Source: 2005 Work Accidents/Illness Summary

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Profile of the Most-Commonly
Injured Worker

•  Male
•  Married
•  26-30 years old
•  1-5 years of service
•  Assigned in the first shift
pattern the same for so many years!
Source: BWC WAIR

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Cases of Occupational Injuries with Workdays
Lost by Cause of Injury: 2003 and 2007

8,104

6,167

3,943

2,814
2,283
2,088
1,787 1,802
1,579 1,662 1,494
1,534 1,414 1,478
831
475 480

Exposure
Others
to or
contact
with
electric
current

Source: 2003/2007 OIS of the BITS

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
Frequency Rates of Cases of Occupational
Injuries with Workdays Lost by Major Industry
Group: 2003 and 2007
6.46
5.96 5.87
5.24 5.38

4.07 4.24 4.37

3.75
3.53 3.53 3.59
3.11
2.79
2.41
1.87
1.67
0.83 0.91 1.05
0.71
0.47
0.21 0.33 0.31
0.15

Al - All Industries I -Transport, Storage & Communications

C - Mining and Quarrying J - Financial Intermediation
D - Manufacturing K - Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities
E - Electricity, Gas & Water Supply L - Private Education Services
F - Construction M - Health & Social Work except Public
G - Wholesale & Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Medical, Dental & Other Health Activities
Vehicles, Motorcycles & Personal & Household N - Other Social & Personal Services Activities
Goods
H - Hotels & Restaurants Source: 2003/2007 OIS of the BITS

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Cases of Occupational Diseases by Major
Industry Group: 2003 and 2007
Major Industry 2003 2007 Percent
Group Change
All Industries 55,413 47,235 -14.8
Mining & Quarrying 1,350 51 -96.2
Manufacturing 35,956 26,284 -26.9
Electricity, Gas & Water Supply 1,112 526 -52.7
Construction 149 370 148.3
Wholesale & Retail Trade 5,241 4,342 -17.2
Hotels & Restaurants 2,195 1,697 -22.7
Transport, Storage & Communications 3,828 6,176 61.3
Financial Intermediation 594 700 17.8
Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities 761 2,926 284.5
Call Center N/A 1,175 -
Private Education Services 2,694 2,204 -18.2
Private Health & Social Work Services 839 1,233 47.0
Other Community, Social & Personal Service Activities 695 728 4.7
Source: 2003/2007 OIS of the BITS

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Cases of Occupational Diseases by Type
of Occupational Disease: 2003 and 2007
Type of Occupational Disease 2003 2007 Percent
Change
Total 55,413 47,235 -14.8
Occupational Dermatitis 5,028 5,965 18.6
Bronchial Asthma 6,742 8,759 29.9
Acute Poisonings 202 189 -6.4
Heat Stroke, Cramps, Exhaustion 631 577 -8.6
Chilblain, Frostbite, etc. 150 112 -25.3
Deafness 510 172 -66.3
Infections 7,825 6,517 -16.7
Cataract 634 284 -55.2
Cardiovascular Diseases 1,454 854 -41.3
Essential Hypertension 5,708 6,152 7.8
Peptic Ulcer 5,347 4,135 -22.7
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Diseases 20,603 13,296 -35.5
Others 579 222 -61.7
Source: 2003/2007 OIS of the BITS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
Occupational safety and health trainings/seminars
Provided

  First aid – 72.6%

  Safe work procedures – 65.9%
  Safety drills (e.g. fire, earthquake, etc.) – 62.4%
  Safety management – 58.5%
  Good housekeeping (e.g., 5S+1) – 58.0%

Source: 2007/2008 OIS of the BITS

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
PREVENTION ENFORCEMENT
EO 307 (OSHC) Admin. Code, 1987

OSH System In DOLE

(Who are Involved?)

COMPENSATION UPDATING
REHABILITATION of Health and Safety Standards
& Other Related OSH Policies
P.D. 626 (ECC)
Admin. Code 1987
 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Definition adopted by the Joint ILO/WHO Committee on

Occupational Health (1950)

Aims at the:
–  promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical,
mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations

–  prevention amongst workers of departures from health caused by

their working conditions

–  protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from

factors adverse to health

–  placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational

environment adapted to his physiological and psychological
capabilities
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
Hospital Hazards

•  Infectious/ Biological
•  Chemical
•  Psychological/Psychosocial
•  Physical
•  Environmental
•  Mechanical/biomechanical

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Infection/Biological Hazards

Infectious/biological agents, such as:

•  bacteria
•  viruses
•  fungi
•  parasites
may be transmitted by contact with infected patients or
contaminated body secretions/fluids

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Chemical Hazards

•  Various forms of chemicals used in the

hospital that are potentially toxic or
irritating to the body
•  medications, solutions, and gases

Cleaning chemicals

Gases
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
Physical Hazards

•  Radiation
•  Lasers
•  Noise
•  Electricity
•  Extreme
temperatures

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Psychological Hazards

•  Violence
•  Hostage
•  Bomb threat
•  Fire

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Environmental and Biomechanical
Hazards
•  Tripping hazards
•  Unsafe/unguarded equipment
•  Air quality
•  Slippery floors
•  Confined spaces
•  Construction hazards
•  Cluttered work areas
•  Obstructed passageways

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Controlling the Hazards in the
Hospital

•  Infection Control Policies

•  Security Guidelines
•  Admitting Policies
•  Safety and Health
Guidelines

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Controlling the Hazards in the
Hospital
–  Trained personnel on Disaster
Preparedness
–  Biosafety features of the building
•  HEPA filter
•  Positive and negative pressure zoning
•  Level 5 antibacterial paint

–  Safety features of the building

•  Building Management System (BMS)
•  Fire rated walls/doors
•  Smoke compartmentalization
•  Structural design is 200% above Phil.
Code
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment
Controlling the Hazards in the
Hospital

•  Security/Admitting Procedures
–  Screening visitors /wearing of ID
–  Visiting Hours
–  No smoking policy
–  Alcoholic beverages not allowed
–  Electrical appliances not allowed
–  Designated restricted areas
–  Security surveillance in various areas/CCTV
–  Door lock policy

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Occupational SAFETY Programs

•  Hazardous Materials Policy

•  Hazard Surveillance & Risk
Assessment
•  Contractors Safety Policy
•  Incident/Accident Reporting
•  Disaster Preparedness Plan
•  Safety Trainings

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Hazardous Materials Policy

–  Chemical inventory
–  MSDS
–  Proper storage, labeling
–  Proper handling
–  PPE
–  Spill response program
–  Proper disposal

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Hazard Surveillance & Risk Assessment

"  To identify deficiencies

"  To identify potential events or risks
"  To improve safety policies & procedure

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
 Contractors Safety Policy

–  Work Permitting
–  Hot Works Monitoring
–  Incident Reporting
–  Safety Orientation of contractors

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Disaster Preparedness Plan

–  Fire Drill
–  Earthquake Drill
–  Fire/Life Safety Equipment Monitoring
–  Disaster Preparedness Training

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
 OSH LAWS & ISSUANCES

Book IV, Title I – Occupational Safety

Medical, Dental and and Health Standards,
Occupational Safety (OSHS)1978

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
Flagship program on work safety & health

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
 OSH-MS
international
safety rating
system

OSH indicators
& productivity
 Thru DOLE ZAP
focal persons and
others trained in
OSH

Deliver OSH services to individuals/

establishments/institutions

Advocacy thru Work LSEF; Injury and

Capacity Improvement; Illness Reporting
OSH promotions,
policies and Building Establishment of
resources safety and health
committees

Reduced incidence of
Improved workplace
accidents/illnesses

OSH linked to productivity

Mathematics of Accidents

+ ADDS to your Troubles

- SUBTRACTS from your Profits
x MULTIPLIES your Losses

/ DIVIDES worker from Manager

% DISCOUNTS your Successes

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Department of Labor and Employment
 Recent DOLE Issuances

•  D.O. 13- 98 - Construction Safety

•  D. O. 16 - 01- Rule 1030
•  D. O. 53-03 - Drug-free Workplace
•  D. O. 57-04 - New Labor Standards Enforcement
Framework
•  D.O. 73-05 - TB Prevention at the Workplace
•  D. C. 01-08 - OSH in Call Centers
•  D.C.01-09 - Ship-Building Industry
•  D.O. 102-10 – Prevention and Control of HIV-AIDS
in the Workplace
•  D.A. 05-11 – Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B
in the Workplace
•  A.O. 56-11 – Transfer of Accreditation to OSHC
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Department of Labor and Employment