Occupational Safety and Health Standards GROUP 1

Timeline of the Progress of OSH Legislations in the Philippines

1903- Development
Philippines

of

OSH

in

the

1908- Employers Liability Act was

instituted
requiring
employers
to
compensate workers who were injured
while performing their job
1908 - Bureau of Labor was created.
1927 - Workmens Compensation Act No.
3428 was passed providing payment of
damages by the employer for illnesses, in
addition to injury or death due to
employment
1933 - Bureau of Labor was named
Department of Labor on Dec. 8, 1933.
1936- Commonwealth Act No. 104 was
passed: First legislation directly enjoining
management to ensure the promotion of
OSH in the workplace. It is known as the
First Industrial Safety Law.
1945- Commonwealth Act No. 696 was
approved to include safety in the installation
and operation of boilers and pressure
vessels.
1948- Philippines became a member of ILO
1954- Enactment of RA No. 1054 (Free
Emergency Medical & Dental Treatment
Act)
1957 Bureau of Labor Standards was
created.
1959- SOPI was organized

1967-Proclamation No. 115-A was issued

declaring the year & every year thereafter as
SAFETY & ACCIDENT PREVENTION
YEAR
January - General Orientation
February - Air Transportation
March - Fire Prevention
April - Vacation Hazards
May - Land Transportation
June - Sea Transportation
July - Schools
August - Farms
September - Health and Sanitation
October - Industry & Commerce
November - Mines
December - Holiday Hazards &
Homes
1974 - PD 442 (LCP) was passed
1975- BLS started the program on
accreditation of STOs to conduct OSH
training.
1977- Tripartite body was created to study
the proposed OSHS
1978- OSHS was approved. Natl Tripartite
Committee was created to continue study the
improvement of the OSHS
1982 BLS renamed as BWC

1984- Tripartite consultation was held to

amend OSHS Rule 1410 (Construction
Safety).

2004 Department Order (DO) 57-04, s

2004 (New Labor Standards Enforcement
Framework) was issued.

1988- OSHC was created pursuant to EO

307. First in Southeast Asia

OSH Legislations

Article XIII Section 3 of the

Philippine Constitution The state
shall afford full protection to
labor, .... They shall be entitled to
security
of
tenure,
humane
conditions of work, and a living
wage.

Labor Code of the Philippines Revised and consolidated labor and

social laws to afford full protection
to labor, promote employment and
human resources development and
ensure industrial peace based on
social justice.

Article 162 - The Secretary of labor

shall by appropriate order set and
enforce mandatory OSH Standards to
eliminate or reduce OSH hazards in
all workplaces and institute new and
update existing programs to ensure
safe
and
healthful
working
conditions
in
all
place
of
employment

Article 165 - DOLE shall be solely

responsible for the administration,
enforcement of laws, policies and
programs on OSH.

1989- First major revision of OSHS

1996- Tripartite consultation workshop held
to discuss the amendments of Rule 1030
1998- DO 13 was issued. Tripartite Council
on OSH in Construction Industry was
created.
1998- Passed MC No. 02 series of 1998
Guidelines for Classifying Hazardous and
Non-Hazardous Workplaces
1999 -ASPPI was organized.1st Gen.
Assembly & Convention of DOLE
Accredited Safety Professionals was held
2000- MC No. 01 s2000- Guidelines for the
Conduct of WEA- MC No. 02 s2000Guidelines in the Application of Workplace
Component of RA 8504 known as Phil.
AIDS Prevention & Control Act of 1998
2001- Approved Amendments to Rules
1030, 1160, 1170, 1180 of the OSHS
2002 1st meeting/gathering of DOLEBWC Accredited Safety Training & Testing
Organizations-Department Order (DO) 5303, s 2003
Implementation of a DrugFree Workplace Policies and Procedures for
the Private Sector.
2003- Organization of ATOP Inc. for OSH.
It is renamed as ASHTOP Inc. in 2004.

Chartered cities may be

allowed to conduct industrial
safety
inspection
of
establishments within their
respective jurisdictions.

OSH Standards
The OSHS is a set of mandatory standards which codifies all safety orders being enforced
prior to its declaration. It contains administrative requirements, general safety and health rules,
technical safety regulations, and other measures to eliminate or reduce OSH hazards in the
workplace. Its purpose is to protect every working man against the dangers of injury, sickness or
death through safe and healthful working conditions. Its scope applies to all places of
employment except land, sea and air transportation and safety in mines.
Some Rules of the OSHS
1000

General Provisions

1160

Boiler

1010

Other Safety Rules

1170

Unfired Pressure Vessels

1020

Registration

1180

Internal Combustion Engine*

1030

Training & Accreditation

1200 Machine Guarding

1040

Health & Safety Committee

1210 Electrical Safety

1050

Notification & Keeping of

1220 Elevators & Related Equipment

Occupational Illnesses & Injuries

1230 Identification of Piping System

1060

Premises of Establishments

1240 Power Piping Lines

1070

Environmental Control

1410 Construction Safety

1080

Personal Protective Equipment

1420 Logging

1090

Hazardous Materials

1100
Gas & Electric Welding & Cutting
Operations
1120 Hazardous Work Processes
1140

Explosives

1150

Materials Handling & Storage

1940 Fire Protection & Control

1950 Pesticides & Fertilizers
1970 Fees
1980 Authority of LG
1990 Final Provisions
1960 OH Services

Administrative Organizations for OSH

Department of Labor and Employment

o Employees Compensation Commission (ECC)
The ECC is responsible for initiating, rationalizing and coordinating the
policies on employees compensation programs as well as deciding
appealed cases from the GSIS and SSS, the agencies which initially
administer the employees compensation program in the public and private
sector.
o Occupational Safety and Health Center
Undertakes continuing studies and researches on OSH
Plans, develops and implements training programs on OSH Undertakes
practical testing for safe use and sets standard specifications of PPEs
Monitor workers exposure to hazardous substance and environmental
conditions.
o Bureau of Working Conditions

The BWC performs primarily policy and program development and

advisory functions in the administration and enforcement of laws relating
to working conditions.
It oversee the implementation of standards through technical supervision
of enforcement by the DOLEs 15 Regional Offices all over the country
o The OSH laws are enforced and monitored by the ROs through its LSED manned
by labor inspectors vested with visitorial and enforcement power under Article
128.
o Labor inspectors also disseminate information, advocate and give technical
assistance on OSH
2 Types of Safety Inspection
Technical Safety Inspection - inspection for the purpose of safety
determination of boilers, pressure vessels, internal combustion
engines, electrical installations, elevators, hoisting equipment and
other mechanical equipment
General Safety and Health Inspection - refers to inspection of work
environment, adequacy of work space, ventilation, lighting,
handling, storage or work procedures, protection facilities, location
and operation of machinery other than those covered by technical
safety inspection and other safety and health hazards in the
workplace.

Safety and Health in Construction

Rule 1410 of the OSHS and DO 13, series 1998 provide requirements for keeping and
maintaining a safe worksite
o Health and Safety Committee to plan, develop, implement worksite programs on
OSH approved by DOLE-BWC
o Approved Personal Protective Equipment
o Trained or accredited OSH personnel
o Other administrative and technical safety and health requirements
DOLE Advocacy and linkages with stakeholders
o MOA between DOLE and DPWH to harmonize and complement the National
Building Code and the Labor Code of the Philippines
o NBC to include safety and health
o DOLE Proposal - to add new Rule on Occupational Safety and Health in the
Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations pursuant to PD 1096 otherwise
known as the National Building Code
Accreditation Program

Rule 1030 - Training and Accreditation of Personnel in OSH

o Mandates the BWC to conduct training program on OSH directly or through
accredited Safety Training Organization.
o Require the employer to appoint a safety officer. The training course prescribed
by the BWC shall be requisite for the appointment of the safety officer in the
place of employment
o All full-time safety officers must meet the requirement of duly-accredited Safety
Practitioner or Safety Consultants by the Bureau
Requirements in the Practice of OSH

Completion of the Bureau Prescribed Training Course On OSH conducted by DOLE

Accredited Safety Training Organization
BWC Accreditation as OSH practitioner/consultant
Every employer shall take steps to train a sufficient number of supervisors or technical
personnel in occupational safety and health
For non-hazardous workplaces
o 1 - 250 workers 1 part-time safety officer
o 251 - 500 workers 2 part-time safety officer

o 501 - 750 workers 1 full-time safety officer

o 751 - 1000 workers 2 full-time safety officer
o Every additional 500 or fraction thereof 1 additional full-time safety officer

For hazardous to highly hazardous

o 1 - 250 workers 1 part-time safety officer 1 full-time safety officer
o 251 - 500 workers 1 full-time safety officer 1 FT & 1 PT safety officer
o 501 - 750 workers 1 FT & 1 PT safety officer 2 full-time safety officer
o 751 - 1000 workers 2 full-time safety officer 2 FT & 1 PT safety officer
o Every additional 500 or fraction thereof 1 additional full-time safety officer
(hazardous)
o Every additional 250 or fraction thereof 1 additional full-time safety officer
(highly hazardous)
Currently, the Bureau has accredited
o 1800 safety practitioners
o 175 safety consultants
o 20 Active Safety Training Organization
o 4 Testing of Construction Heavy equipment organization
Labor Standards and Enforcement Framework

Complementary Approaches to Inspection

o Self-audit
o Joint Regulation
o Assistance Program for Development
o Industry/Social Accord
o Delegation of Authority
Emerging Trends on the Role and Functions of OSH Practitioner/Consultant
o Personal safety, health, environmental safety, equipment safety, process safety,
product safety, security of people and property are becoming more interrelated
and create an expanded role for OSH professionals.
o OSH professionals missions and objectives are also geared towards providing
security and protection to life and property.
o Safety, health and security programs and activities complement each other