DOLE conducts free safety officers training
By Keren Anne V. Bernada
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through its Occupational Safety and Health Center Regional Extension Unit 5 (OSHC 5) has conducted free online basic and advance training for safety officers to micro, small to medium enterprises (MSMEs) on Feb. 17-18.
According to OSHC 5 unit head Mark James Andayog, the 10-hour training to SMEs with less than 50 employees was aimed to impart knowledge and skills on basic concepts and principles of OSH. It also enabled potential safety officers to implement their company’s OSH program.
The OSH Law or RA 11058 mandates the designation and training of safety officers in all business establishment.
Under the law, DOLE seeks to provide these safety seminars training to workers in order to achieve an empowering way of building and sustaining a preventive occupational safety and health culture, which results in enhanced productivity at workplaces.
Minimizing occupational hazards
Andayog explained that there are different environmental stresses or so-called occupational hazards in a working place namely: Biological hazards which are commonly pronounced among hospitals; ergonomical hazards with physical conditions that may cause problems in musculoskeletal system like sitting for a long time while working; chemical and physical hazards.
Among the 3,000 inspected establishments in Bicol in 2020, 90 peercent consist of the SMEs, while construction companies are considered to be high-risk, due to the high number of accidents and hazards that happened.
The work of a safety officer, Andayog said, is to oversee the overall management of the OSH program in coordination with the OSH committee; monitor and inspect any health or safety aspect of the operation; assist government inspectors in the conduct of safety and health inspection at any time; and to issue Work Stoppage Order (WSO) when necessary based on the requirements and procedures provided by the OSH standards.
Andayog urged employers and owners of business establishments to send any of their potential employees to be a safety officer and give attention to safety and health programs. (PIA5)