OSH Purpose
Take all reasonably practicable measures to protect the health, safety, and welfare of everyone on the premises.
Provide safe working conditions and appropriate facilities to ensure that all tasks are carried out without unnecessary risk to health or safety.
Promote cooperation in safety matters by encouraging individuals to identify hazards and report any conditions that may appear dangerous or unsatisfactory.
Offer adequate information, instruction, training, and supervision so that everyone can avoid hazards and actively contribute to their own health and safety.
Establish, as far as reasonably practicable, safe arrangements to protect the general public and others from risks arising from the organization’s activities.
Conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments for employees and non-employees affected by the organization’s operations.
Provide relevant information to other employers regarding any risks their workers may face while on the organization’s premises.
Duties of Employer
- Ensure the workplace is free from hazardous conditions that could cause death, illness, or physical harm.
- Maintain proper ventilation, lighting, and sanitation.
- Conduct regular risk assessments and implement control measures.
- Follow all applicable provisions of OSHS and industry-specific regulations.
- Use only approved devices, equipment, and materials in the workplace.
- Give complete job safety instructions and orientation, especially for new hires.
- Inform workers about workplace hazards, health risks, preventive measures, and emergency procedures.
- Conduct mandatory OSH training (e.g., 8-hour safety seminar) and drills for fire, earthquake, and other emergencies.
- Supply appropriate PPE (helmets, gloves, masks, safety shoes, etc.) at no cost to employees.
- Ensure PPE is properly maintained and replaced when necessary.
- Create an OSH Committee for workplaces with 10 or more employees.
- Allow workers and their representatives to participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating safety programs.
- Report work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
- Maintain accurate records of accidents, near misses, and corrective actions.
- Provide first-aid facilities and trained personnel.
- Implement measures to deal with emergencies and accidents.
- Republic Act No. 11058: Strengthens compliance with OSH standards and imposes penalties for violations.
- DOLE Department Order No. 198-18: Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11058
Duties of Worker
- Follow all safety and health regulations, policies, and procedures implemented by the employer and mandated by law.
- Use machines, tools, and equipment properly and safely.
- Wear and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the employer.
- Report any damage or defect in PPE immediately.
- Attend mandatory OSH orientations, seminars, and drills (e.g., fire and earthquake drills).
- Cooperate with the OSH Committee and Safety Officer in implementing safety programs.
- Inform supervisors or the safety officer about any unsafe condition, accident, or near-miss.
- Do not conceal incidents that could affect workplace safety.
- Workers may refuse to work if there is an imminent danger to life or health but must notify the employer or safety officer immediately.
- This right is protected under RA 11058—no retaliation is allowed.
- Submit to required medical examinations when necessary (especially for hazardous jobs).
- Avoid actions that could endanger oneself or others.
- RA 11058: “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”
- DOLE Department Order No. 198-18: IRR of RA 11058.
Duties of Safety Officer
- Serve as the employer’s consultant in applying programs to eliminate hazards and correct unsafe work practices.
- Prepare minutes of meetings.
- Report status of recommendations.
- Notify members of meetings.
- Submit reports of committee activities and recommendations to the employer.
- Provide guidance to both employer and workers on health and safety issues.
- Recommend improvements to prevent accidents and illnesses.
- Investigate workplace accidents and near misses.
- Submit separate reports and analyses to the employer.
- Recommend corrective and preventive measures.
- Organize and oversee safety orientations, seminars, and drills.
- Ensure compliance with mandatory DOLE training requirements.
- Inspect work areas, equipment, and processes for hazards.
- Ensure compliance with OSH standards and company policies.
- Keep an efficient accident record system.
- Coordinate actions taken by supervisors to eliminate accident causes.
- Cooperate during DOLE inspections, audits, and accident investigations.
- Provide necessary reports and documentation.
- Formulate workplace-specific OSH policies aligned with RA 11058 and international standards.
- Ensure policies are communicated and enforced.
- Plan and implement emergency response procedures.
- Conduct drills for fire, earthquake, and other hazards.
- RA 11058: Mandates appointment of qualified Safety Officers based on risk level and workforce size.
- DOLE Department Order No. 198-18: Specifies qualifications, duties, and accreditation.
- OSHS Rule 1047: Details the duties of the “Safety Man.”
Duties of First Aider
- Administer first aid treatment to injured or ill workers before professional medical help arrives.
- Stabilize the victim and prevent the condition from worsening. ]
- Assess the situation for hazards before giving aid.
- Avoid creating secondary accidents during intervention.
- Ensure first aid kits and equipment are complete, accessible, and in good condition.
- Check expiry dates of medicines and supplies regularly.
- Act promptly during workplace incidents such as cuts, burns, fractures, cardiac arrest, choking, chemical exposure, and other emergencies.
- Apply CPR and use AED if trained and necessary.
- Record details of the injury or illness and the first aid given.
- Submit reports to the Safety Officer or OSH Committee for compliance and analysis. [ohse.ca]
- Attend mandatory DOLE-accredited first aid training and refresher courses every 3 years.
- Cooperate with emergency drills and safety programs.
- Be trained and certified by Philippine Red Cross, DOH, BFP, or other DOLE-accredited providers.
- Renew certification before expiration (valid for 3 years).
- Help plan and implement emergency response procedures.
- Educate workers on basic first aid awareness when needed.
- RA 11058: Strengthens OSH compliance and mandates certified first aiders in workplaces.
- DOLE Department Order No. 198-18: IRR of RA 11058.
- DOLE Department Order No. 235-22: Rules on certification of first aiders and accreditation of training providers.
Safety Tips
- If you are not sure, ask.
- Follow instructions and don’t take chances.
- Wear your personal safety equipment.
- Never operate equipment you have not been trained for.
- Keep your work area clean.
- Avoid injury by lifting correctly. The max weight to be lifted by one person is 75 lbs.
- Make sure the job can be done safely.
- Portable ladders must be secured against movement and placed on a stable base; the base of an inclined portable ladder is to be no further from the base of the wall or structure than ¼ of the height to where the ladder contacts the wall or structure.
- All accidents, injuries, or near misses, regardless of their nature, shall be promptly reported to the safety officer.
- Clothing shall be appropriate to the duties being performed.
- Running is not permitted except in extreme emergencies.
- Visitors and customers are to be escorted by staff while on company property.
- Hand tools are to be used for their intended purpose only.
- Horseplay, fighting, or tomfoolery is strictly prohibited on the premises.
- All spills will be immediately cleaned up and reported.
- Drawers and filing cabinets will be kept closed when not in use.
- Filing cabinet drawers are to be filled from the bottom up, or the cabinet is to be securely fastened or anchored.