UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST

GRADUATE SCHOOL
Manila

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (MSCM)

AND MASTER IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (MCM) PROGRAM

COURSE : GCT 7204 – Project Safety and Risk Management

ACTIVITY NO. : M7: Activity No. 1
TITLE : A Reaction Paper on the Presentation on Safety Rules and Regulations:
DOLE/PCAB
NAME : Engr. Jan Adrian G. Hernandez
SECTION : 1F
PROFESSOR : Engr. Meinrado V. Samonte
DATE : October 28, 2022
RATING :

A Reaction Paper on the Presentation on Safety Rules and Regulations: DOLE/PCAB

The presentation of the group of J. Balbin, Q. Nasinopa, and J. Tibus was a discussion
about safety rules and regulations in reference to both DOLE and PCAB. The main
goals of this presentation were to make a case study analyzing the challenges of
applying DOLE/PCAB Provisions for Safety Rules and Regulations at a construction site
and to list and discuss the DOLE/PCAB Provisions for Safety Rules and Regulations at
a construction job site.

The group began the presentation with a discussion of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) of R.A. 11058 entitled "An Act Strengthening Compliance with
Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSH) and Providing Penalties for Violations
Thereof." The group discussed each chapter of the department order, beginning with
the declaration of the policy stating that the State recognizes labor as a key social and
economic force and that a safe and healthy workforce is an essential component of
nation-building. The group then discussed the general provisions in the department
order stating that the regulations shall apply to all establishments, projects, sites, and
other places where work is being performed in all branches of economic activity,
including establishments located within special economic zones and other investment
promotion agencies, as well as utilities engaged in air, sea, and land transportation
industries like mining, fishing, and construction. In addition, the duties and
responsibilities of the employers, workers, and other people were also discussed,
specifying that the duties of employers must be to set up a location that is free of
hazards with complete workplace safety instructions and thorough orientation,
particularly those relevant to familiarization with the work environment, and ensure that
the chemical and physical substances under their control are free of health risks by
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implementing suitable safeguards. Employers must comply with OSH standards in
terms of training, medical examinations, and provisions for protective and safety
equipment. Furthermore, workers should participate in safety and health-related building
activities, utilize precautions and safety equipment provided for their protection, comply
with instructions to prevent workplace mishaps and imminently dangerous
circumstances, participate in national or local disaster drills, and observe emergency
response procedures. If a work hazard arises, workers should also notify the immediate
supervisor. In terms of construction site signage, safety signage and devices must be
prominently displayed in strategic areas in a language that everyone understands, and
they must comply with OSH color requirements for safety instructions and warnings in
all workplaces. Lastly, with regards to facilities for the worker’s welfare, a sufficient
quantity of potable water, as well as sanitation and washing facilities, and suitable
housing quarters for employees (barracks). Separate restrooms, showers, and sleeping
quarters for each gender should also be established.

The second part of the group presentation comprises a case study on an investigation
of the intra-locality differences in health and safety implementation of construction
industries by Rino Anthony M . Demeterio, Rosein A . Ancheta Jr., Lanndon A. Ocampo,
Dennis L. Capuyan, and Reylan G. Capuno from Cebu Technological University. The
significance of this study highlights the need to establish an awareness and a complete
understanding of the roles and contributions of all stakeholders to the improvement of
construction health and safety. It is necessary to explore the impact of communities on
their general health and safety practices in the construction industry, given the
inadequate health and safety regulatory environment and laws. This will shed light on
the strategies and policies that must be implemented by various stakeholders in order to
enhance construction health and safety programs. The team was able to successfully
collect data from respondents involved in the construction industry by using a survey
questionnaire whose contents were limited to the three major factors of management
commitment, compliance with in-house safety rules and regulations, and control of
personal protective equipment (PPE). In this study, the chi-square test of independence
was utilized to determine whether or not the practices of the respondents rely on their
location. As a result, the results of the study aid in determining whether or not a
relationship exists between locales and practices in different cities. The results show
that there is a big difference between the safety practices of the cities, which means that
the safety practices of the different cities are very different.

I really appreciate how the group began their presentation by outlining and going over
the DOLE standards for safety rules and regulations. The conversation has increased
my awareness of the legal norms and regulations governing safety as well as my roles
and obligations as an employer and small-time contractor like myself. With these
insights, I am encouraged to identify and research the areas where I fall short as a
contractor in terms of worker safety. However, given the group's discussion on
construction safety throughout the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, I believe I deserve a
pat on the back for doing a good job of safeguarding my workers from catching the
virus. Nonetheless, there is always an opportunity for improvement, particularly for the
safety and well-being of my employees, who have assisted me and trusted me to lead
them.

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