CONSTRUCTION OCCUPATIONAL

SAFETY AND HEALTH

 OSH LAWS & ISSUANCES

Book IV, Title I – Occupational Safety and DO 13 –

Medical, Dental and Health Standards, Guidelines
Occupational Safety (OSHS)1978 Governing Safety
and Health in the
Construction
Industry
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

 Department Order No. 13 :

Otherwise known as the
Guidelines Governing
Occupational Safety and
Health in the Construction
Industry
 DPWH - Department Order
No. 56, S. 2005

All projects regardless of

amount, funding source and mode of
implementation shall comply with the
minimum safety and health
requirements.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 1: Definition of terms
25 terms as used in the guidelines were defined in order
to clarify their meaning and to distinguish them from
similar terms as defined in other issuances

 Section 2: Jurisdiction
The Secretary of the Department of Labor and
Employment, by virtue of Article 162 of the Labor Code
of the Philippines, has the authority to issue
appropriate laws related to the administration and
enforcement of occupational safety and health in the
Philippines
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 3: Delegation of Authority
DOLE has the power to delegate some enforcement
powers to other government agencies and to private
organizations provided that they have adequate
personnel and facilities (These cover Technical Safety
Inspections)
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 4: Coverage
The guidelines shall apply to all construction activities,
including demolition, whether owned by the private or
the government sector
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998
Content:
 Section 5: Construction Safety and Health Program
Before the start of the actual construction, The
construction project manager shall prepare and submit
to DOLE a comprehensive construction safety and
health program (for approval of the Bureau of Working
Conditions) which shall include, but not limited to:
 Composition of the construction safety and health

committee
 Specific H&S policies within the construction site

 Penalties for violation

 Training of workers

 Waste disposal

 Other requirements of D.O. No. 13, series of 1998

 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 6: Personal Protective Equipment
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.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 7: Safety Personnel
A means of coordination was
established wherein the main or
general contractor shall have
over-all management and
coordination of all safety and
health officers/personnel
working within the construction
site. All full-time safety and
health personnel must be
accredited by DOLE.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Safety Personnel

Number of Workers Safety Personnel

1 - 50 1 part-time Safetyman
51 - 200 1 full-time Safetyman
201 – 250 1 full-time and 1 part-time Safetymen
Every additional 500 or 1 additional full-time
fraction thereof Safetyman

1 Safetyman for every 10 units of heavy equipment

 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Occupational Health Personnel

Number of Workers OH Personnel

50 or less

51 to 200

201 to 300

more than 300

 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Occupational Health Facilities

Per 100 workers in excess of 300

Within 5 kms. Or 25 min. of travel

Emergency Health Provider

 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 8: Emergency Occupational Health Personnel and
Facilities
The same provisions of the existing Occupational Safety
and Health Standards(OSHS) are reiterated. The
provision for an emergency health provider was allowed.
All other requirement such as emergency medicines,
supplies, equipment and facilities shall conform with the
OSHS.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998
Content:
 Section 9: Construction Safety Signages
Mandatory provision of safety and warning
signs are reiterated not only for the WARNING: Hazardous
protection of workers, but also the public Area. All personnel
in general. Signs should conform with must wear protective
equipment before entry
the standard requirements of the OSHS.
4 Usage of PPE
4 Falling/ falling objects
4 Explosives and flammable substances
4 Tripping or slipping hazards
4 Toxic or irritant airborne contaminants/substances
4 Electrical facility
4 Dangerous moving parts of machines
4 Fire alarms/ fire fighting
4 Instructional signs/ Update of man-hours lost
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998
Content:
 Section 10: Safety on Construction Heavy Equipment
A specific guide for testing, transport, erection and
maintenance of heavy equipment is formulated. All heavy
equipment operators must be tested and certified by
TESDA, while heavy equipment shall be tested by DOLE
recognized association/organizations.

Daily routine inspection to be conducted by duly certified

mechanics/ operators, routine inspection by DOLE
accredited professionals.
Maintenance of a separate construction logbook for each
equipment
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 11: Construction Safety and Health Committee

All construction sites must have a

general Construction Safety and Health
Committee composed of safety and
health representatives from each sub-
contractor. The construction project
manager shall head the committee.
Each subcontractor shall have its own
safety and health committee based on
the existing requirements of the OSHS.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998
Safety and Health Committee
Composition
Chairperson: Project Manager
Secretary: General Construction Safety and Health
Officer
Members: Construction Safety and Health Officers
Safety Rep. from Subcontractors
Health Personnel
Workers’ Representatives(minimum of 3)
Duties

Plan, develop and oversee the implementation of accident
prevention programs
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

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
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 12: 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

IRS T
T Y F
F E
SA
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

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

Daily tool box meetings

 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 13: Construction Safety and Health Training

All safety personnel assigned within the

construction site are required to
undergo the basic construction safety
training course prescribed by the
Bureau of Working Conditions.
Continuing training (minimum of 16
hours per year) for all full-time safety
personnel shall also be a responsibility
of each constructor.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Specialized instruction and training


Operation of construction equipment
 Erection or dismantling of scaffolds

Excavation works

Handling of explosives
 Workers engaged in pile-driving
 Compressed air, cofferdams, and caissons
 Erection of steel structural frames and tall chimneys

Handling hazardous substance and materials
 Rigging and signaling
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 14: Construction Safety and Health Reports
The monthly submission of summary
reports to DOLE is required. The
summary reports shall include safety
committee meeting agreements,
accident investigation reports, and
hazard assessments with
corresponding remedial
action/measures required.

Notification of major accidents to DOLE

within 24 hours
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 15: Construction Worker’s Skills
A Skills certificate shall be required for construction
related occupations which have been classified as
“Critical Occupations” by TESDA.
An occupational shall be considered as critical –
 When it may affect and endanger people’s lives and limbs
 When it involves the handling of hazardous tools, equipment,
supplies
 When it requires a relatively long period of education and
training
 When the performance of the job may compromise the safety,
health and environment concerns within the immediate vicinity
of the construction site.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 16: Worker’s Welfare Facilities
The employer shall provide for adequate supply of safe
drinking water, adequate sanitary and washing facilities
in order to ensure humane conditions of work.

 Section 17: Cost of Construction Safety and Health Program

The total cost of the Construction Safety and Health
Program Shall be a mandatory integral part of the
construction project. It shall be treated as a separate pay
item and reflected in the project’s bid tender documents.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 18: Effects on Other Issuances Definition of terms
Provisions of other existing occupational safety and
health guidelines not inconsistent with this Guidelines
shall form part of this Department Order. Standards,
rules and regulations not specifically provided shall
remain in full force and effect. However, in the event that
any provisions of the Guidelines is declared invalid by
competent authority, the rest of the provisions thereof
not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 19: Violations and Penalties
Violations committed by constructors as determined by
DOLE after due process shall be considered as prima
facie case of a construction mal-performance of grave
consequence under RA 4566 (Constructors’ Licensing
Law) as amended and pertinent IRR.  
In cases of imminent danger situations, the
procedures/requirements of the OSHS and DOLE
regulations shall be applied.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF
DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 13, series of 1998

Content:
 Section 20: Effectivity
The Guidelines shall be immediately effective, that is, 15
days after publication in newspapers of general
circulation, as provided in Article 5 of the Labor Code.

D.O. No. 13, s.1998 was signed on July 23, 1998 and
published on August 1, 1998 in the Philippine Daily
Inquirer and on August 3, 1998 in People’s Tonight