2.1 and 2.2

• Occupational health and safety is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work.
• Occupational health deals with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace and has a strong focus on primary prevention of hazards as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Health has been defined as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
• Occupational health is a multidisciplinary field of healthcare concerned with enabling an individual to undertake their occupation, in the way that causes least harm to their health.
• Occupational health CONTRASTS with the promotion of health and safety at work, which is concerned with preventing harm from any incidental hazards, arising in the workplace.
• Safety in occupational health and safety is freedom from accident.
• The control of hazards to attain an acceptable level of risk is known as safety management.
• The three main objectives of occupational health and safety according to Joint ILO/WHO Committee on Occupational Health are:

  1. the maintenance and promotion of workers’ health and working capacity, the
  2. improvement of working environment and work to become conducive to safety and health, and
  3. the development of work organizations and working cultures in a direction which supports health and safety at work and in doing so also promotes a positive social climate and smooth operation and may enhance productivity of the undertakings.
• Occupational Health and Safety Law in the Philippines

  Key Points of RA 11058: Occupational health and safety law in the Philippines is defined by RA 11058, "An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof" and its IRR (D.O.
• Workers’ OSH seminars and trainings/orientations required by the employer or by other regulations in the performance of their task shall be undertaken at no cost to the worker and considered as compensable working time.
• All OSH personnel shall undergo the prescribed mandatory trainings from DOLE-accredited Safety Training Organizations or its recognized training institutions.
• Workers performing critical occupations shall undergo the mandatory competency assessment and certification by TESDA.
• All covered workplaces shall have qualified OSH personnel: First Aider, Safety Officer, Nurses.
• All workers shall have FREE access and use of the following welfare facilities: Adequate supply of safe drinking water, Adequate sanitary and washing facilities, Suitable living accommodation as may be applicable such as in construction, shipping, fishing and night workers, Separate sanitary, washing and sleeping quarters for all genders, as may be applicable, Lactation Station, Ramps, railings and the like, Medical Facilities (treatment room/clinic).
• The HSC shall review and evaluate the OSH Program at least once a year or as necessary.
• Number and type of OSH personnel are based on the number of employees and the correct determination by the Safety Officer of his/her workplace classification.
• The total cost of implementing OSH Programs shall be an integral part of the company’s operations cost.
• All workers shall undergo the mandatory 8-hour OSH seminar as prescribed by DOLE.
• Pre-approved program shall be validated during inspection and may be modified by DOLE as necessary, based on existing laws, rules and regulations.
• A suitable Construction Safety and Health Program (CHSP) specific for each construction project shall be submitted to concerned DOLE-Regional Office or Field Office for its approval prior to start of the project.
• A revised copy of the program shall be submitted to DOLE.
• Repeated violation of the same prohibited act shall be penalized of the corresponding fine plus 50% for every instance of repeat violation.
• Enforcement is through the DOLE- Regional Offices having jurisdiction over the workplace.
• Willful failure or refusal to comply with OSH Standards or compliance orders shall be penalized with not more than P100,000 daily until full compliance; reckoned from the date of issuance of Notice of Results or Compliance Order.
• Incentives may be given to qualified employers and workers in recognition of their efforts in ensuring compliance with the OSH standards.
• DOLE is collaboratively working with DENR, DOE, DoTR, DA, DPWH, DTI, DILG, LGUs, DOH, DICT, PEZA and other government agencies.
• OSH Guidelines for Hotel Industry can be found at Occupational Health and Safety Center.
• When the violation exposes the worker to death, serious injury or serious illness, the imposable penalty shall be P100,000.
• Workers’ welfare facilities as may be prescribed by the OSH Standards and other issuances are the responsibility of the employer, project owner, contractor or subcontractor and any person who manages, controls or supervises the work being undertaken.
• The Committee shall develop mechanisms for harmonizing each Agency’s mandates/policies/guidelines related to OSH, with reference to the Law.
• A Joint Coordinating Committee shall be established to effectively implement the Law and its IRR.
• D.O 183-17 shall govern the procedure in the implementation of DOLE D.O 198-18.
• OSH Law IRR, DOLE D.O 198-18 effectivity: 25 January 2019.
• The employer, project owner, contractor or subcontractor and any person who manages, controls or supervises the work being undertaken are jointly and solidarily liable for compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and corresponding penalties for violations.
• Additional P100,000 fine for refusal to access the workplace, refusal to provide or allow access to records, obstruct conduct of investigation, misrepresentation and making retaliatory measures such as termination, refusal to pay, reducing wages and benefits or discriminates any worker who has given information relative to inspection.
• Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines can be found at International Labor Organization.
• All private establishments where work is being undertaken including establishments located inside special economic zones and other investment promotion agencies such as Philippine Economic Zone (PEZA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC) are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards.
• Workers' rights under the OSH Standards include knowing the different types of hazards in the workplace, being provided with training, education and orientation, refusing unsafe work without threat or reprisal from the employer in cases of imminent danger, reporting accidents and dangerous occurrences to DOLE-Ros and other government agencies in the most convenient way, and being free from retaliation for reporting any accident.
• Low Risk Workplace refers to those with less exposure to safety and health hazards, having low level of danger, with no or less probability to cause an accident, harm, injury or illness.
• Exemption from the OSH Standards applies to the public sector which includes national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations with original charters, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges and local government units.