CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND HEALTH

In compliance with the requirements of the Department Order No. 13, series of
1998

ENGR. SHAN MICHAEL A. ADRIAS

CE, RMP, SE
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

“Guidelines Governing Occupational Safety & Health for the Construction

Industry”

Objectives:

• To ensure the protection and welfare of workers employed in the

construction industry.
• To ensure protection and welfare of the general public within and around
the immediate vicinity of any construction worksite as well as the
promotion of harmonious employer-employee relationship.
• To take into consideration industry practices and applicable government
requirements.
Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Section No. 1  

Construction Project Manager/Consultant – person or entity hired by the owner to act in

the owners behalf concerning all matters related to the over all execution of the project.
It is a separate entity from the General contractor or the sub-contractor.
 
Project Manager – is the overall technical personnel of the general contractor or the sub-
contractor in charge of the actual execution of the construction project.
 
Safety and Health Committee – a group tasked with authority to monitor, inspect and
investigate all aspects of the construction project pertaining to Health and Safety of the
construction workers and the general public.
 
Construction safety and Health Committee – Over all coordinator, but in reality this group
is for the principal of the company’s involved in the construction which only meets when
needed. Especially when incidents occurs involving fatality or violations resulting to a
stoppage of work.
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

Section No. 2 Jurisdiction

• DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) through the secretary of

Labor and Employment has the exclusive jurisdiction in the preparation of
the OSHS (Occupational Safety and Health Standards) for the construction
industry.

Section No. 4 Coverage

• All operation in the construction industry used on the classification of PCAB.

• The guidelines shall apply to all construction activities, including demolition,
whether owned by the private or the government sector.
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Section No. 5 Construction Safety and Health Program
• It helps the reader to identify hazards and control risks and explains how to plan, organize,
control, monitor and review health and safety throughout the life of a project. It is aimed at
everybody involved in construction work, including clients, designers, contractors and
individual workers.
• Every construction project shall have a construction safety & health program in
accordance with the rules and other orders issued by DOLE.
• The CPM in the absence, the PM as authorized by the owner shall be responsible
for the compliance of this section.
• Before the start of the actual construction, the construction project manager shall
prepare and submit to DOLE Regional Office a comprehensive construction safety
and health program.

Advantages:
• Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
• Improve compliance with laws and regulations
• Reduce accident related costs
• Enhance their social responsibility goals
• Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Section No. 6 Personal protective equipment

• This section emphasized that the employers shall provide

(at his own expense) the workers with the appropriate PPEs.

• All employers must provide personal protective equipment

for all employees needing such equipment. All other
persons entering the construction site must wear the
necessary protective equipment. The equivalent cost for the
provision of PPE shall be an integral part of the project cost.
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

Section No. 7 Safety Personnel

• As a minimum requirement for every site/project. All safety personnel

employed by an employer on full time basis should be accredited by the
DOLE.
• One (1) safety officer for every ten(10) units of heavy equipment.
 
Section No. 8 Emergency occupational health personnel and facilities

• Provide competent emergency health personnel, adequate supply of

medicines, equipment & facilities, based on the total number of employees.
• Including 5 kilometers radius for Medical/Dental Clinics( Hospital) and can
be traveled in 25 minutes. (w/an ambulance)
Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

Safety Personnel Requirement

Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Minimum classification and number of safety officer for all
covered workplaces shall be as follows:
Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Section No. 9 Construction Safety Signs

• The contractor must provide warnings for workers and public of the hazards existing in the
workplace, to be in the language understandable to the workers (aside from English language).
 
Section No. 10 Safety on Construction Heavy Equipment

• Operators must be tested and certified in accordance with the standard trade test practice by the
technical education and skills development authority (TESDA)

Pre-Construction – Operators tested and certified by TESDA – Heavy equipment tested and certified
by DOLE or its recognized organizations .
During Construction – Mobilization or transport of heavy equipment – Standard procedure in erection
and dismantling – Routine inspection.

Section No.11 Construction Safety and Health Committee

• Formation of the construction safety and health committee, its authority and duties, needed number
of personnel as per Rules 1042.
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Construction Safety and Health Committee

Chairperson: Project Manager

Secretary: General Construction Safety Officer

Members:
Construction safety officers
Safety representatives from sub-con
Health personnel
Worker’s representatives

Duties:

Direct accident prevention efforts in accordance with rules/ program

Conducts toolbox meetings everyday
Review inspections and accident investigation reports
Prepare and submit to DOLE minutes of committee meetings, work accidents and illnesses, and other
reporting requirements
Assist government inspectors
Initiate/ supervise safety and health training for employees
Develop and maintain a disaster contingency plan
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

Section No.12 Safety and Health Information

Safety and Health Information A detailed safety and health information system
is included in the guidelines. These include orientation, instructions, and
training for workers; means of conveying safety related information to all
workers and specialized instructions and trainings for specialty workers and
operators.

General Safety and Health Measures:

• Basic rights and duties of workers
• Emergency procedures
• Good housekeeping
• Welfare and first-aid facilities
• Care and use of PPE
• Personal hygiene and health protection
• Safety and health rules and regulations
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998
Tool Box Meeting (TBM)
A 10-15 minute on-the-job safety and health awareness meeting focusing usually on the current activities of
the group to keep everybody informed and alert on work-related accidents and illnesses and their causes.

Benefits of a TBM
• It addresses actual safety and health concerns on the job or in the site
• It provides good opportunity for supervisors to know the mental and physical conditions of workers
• It also provides good opportunity for management to communicate its commitment to safety Benefits of a
TBM
• It contributes to the training and education of workers
• It prevents the recurrence of previous accidents
• It is a proven technique in inculcating safe work habit Schedule

When: Everyday before the start of work

Where: Preferably at the specific site of the activity
Who: All workers in the site must attend their specific TBM

Who conducts the TBM?

Usually the supervisor, foreman or leadman (the project manager, safety officer, nurse may serve as guests)
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

Section No.13 Construction Safety and Health Training

• All safety personnel shall be required to complete the 40 hours basic training course
(BOSH) prescribed by the bureau. Confirming training shall be a minimum of sixteen
(16) hours a year.

Safety and Health Training

• Basic Construction Safety and Health Training (BOSH)
• Continuing Training (minimum of 16 hours per year)

Section No.14 Construction Safety Report

• All general contractors are required to submit a monthly construction safety report,
annual safety and health report. Reports for fatality will be within 24 hours with the
feasible immediate communication.
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

Section No.15 Construction Worker’s Skill Certificates

• This section is to upgrade and update the level of competence of the workers.
TESDA shall establish national skills standards for critical construction
occupation.
 
Section No.16 Workers Welfare facilities

• The general contractor shall provide adequate facilities for sanitary and washing,
safe drinking water, accommodation for meals and shelter.

• The total cost of the construction safety and health program shall be a
mandatory and integral part of the project’s construction cost as a separate pay
item, duly quantified and reflected in the projects tender documents. (Project
Construction Contract Documents)
 Department Order No. 13, series of 1998

Section No. 20 Effectivities

• The Department Order No.13 shall take
effect immediately, 23 July 1998.
FEES AND PENALTIES
FEES AND PENALTIES