DOLE pushes for zero accident program

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has directed the Occupational Health and Safety Center (OHSC) to prioritize its zero accident program in its effort to strengthen occupational safety and health at the workplace especially in construction sites.

DOLE Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga explained that the OHSC is comprised of accredited safety practitioners and consultants from various labor and management representatives from different companies.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Sarcauga said their agency’s technical safety and health section has been conducting inspections to see to it that construction health and safety are prioritized.

Sarcauga said this is to ensure that accidents in construction sites are minimized, if not totally prevented.

“Our technical safety and health section has a long standing instruction to see to it that 100 percent of all construction sites are inspected,” Sarcauga said.

From January to June 2011, the OHSC has conducted 13 batches of the 40-hour Construction Safety Training (CST) to 646 participants from 319 companies. OHSC also conducted two batches of Trainers’ Orientation on Occupational Safety and Health (TOOSH) Awareness Module for Construction Workers.

Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Training Course, Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Training for Supervisors Course, Construction Safety Training Course, Fire Safety Training, Work Environment Measurement Training, Chemical Safety Training, and Ventilation Training are all part of a regular OSH training.

DOLE has strengthened its campaign for safety and health following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in April with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF), Philippine Contractors and Accreditation Board (PCAB) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

In the said agreement, DPWH is tasked to direct all building officials in local government units to include the DOLE-approved Construction Safety and Health Program as a requirement for the issuance of a building permit.

DTI through the CMDF, shall offer a one-day orientation seminar for prospective construction workers on the hazards in construction work.

The MOA also calls for the PCAB to embark on a program that will instil a culture of safety and health among contractors as well as submit a list of contractors specifically those that have licenses and those whose licenses have been revoked.  (FREEMAN)