DOLE-OSHC intensifies OSH trainings to curb rise of occupational diseases
“The decrease in hearing loss, tuberculosis and cardiovascular disease are positive health indicators of improvement in safety and health conditions in the workplace. We are alarmed at the increasing number of illnesses affecting workers, specifically musculoskeletal disorders and hypertension,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.
Based on the latest Philippine data on occupational diseases, cases of hearing loss registered at 296 cases in 2013, a 65.9% drop from 866 cases in 2011. Cases of tuberculosis decreased by 18.5% from 4, 505 reported cases in 2011 to 3,670 in 2013 while cardiovascular diseases decreased by 17.3% from 2,030 in 2011 to 1,679 in 2013. Part of this may have been brought about by the intensive training campaigns of the OSHC and other partners on occupational health.
As provided under Rule 1030 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards, every workplace must have at least one safety officer trained in the DOLE-mandated OSH Trainings such as the Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Training, its on-line version the e-BOSH, and the Construction Safety Training. All of these 40-hour courses feature modules on occupational health that teach participants to enterprise-level strategies such as a safety and health policy and program.
Musculoskeletal ailments and hypertension have increased from 2011 to 2013. Most of these have probably been caused by work areas and procedures which cause ergonomic problems and lifestyle factors respectively. “This can be addressed by the creation and thorough implementation of policies and programs on ergonomics and healthy lifestyle,” said OSHC Executive Director Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, MD, CESO III.
Ergonomics, which pertains to functional and user-friendly design of equipment and work processes can help mitigate the effects of musculoskeletal illnesses such as back pain, neck and shoulder pain, shoulder tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Technical Guidelines on OSH for Call Centers issued by the DOLE in 2008, stated causes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders such as ill-designed work stations long periods of computer use and repetitive movements. It also provided recommendations to prevent the abovementioned illnesses from occurring.
As part of the 2015 research agenda, the OSHC is currently doing a study on the OSH conditions of contractors and sub-contractors of supermalls and supermarkets in the NCR. Most of the workers in this sector are exposed to ergonomic hazards due to the nature of their jobs (prolonged standing, manual lifting, etc.) and have limited access to OSH services and programs.
“Improving the health of workers has long been the focus of the Occupational Safety and Health Center OSHC and we are incessantly conducting trainings and technical services, together with the Occupational Safety and Health Networks (OSHNets) in all regions and the accredited safety training organizations to curb the rise in the number of work-related illnesses,” added Cucueco.
The OSHC also offers specialized trainings courses on occupational health issues such as the Ergonomics, Training on the Work-relatedness of Diseases, Training on Managing Emerging Health Issues in the Workplace, free on-line course on dangerous drugs, and Training of Assessment Teams for a Drug-free Workplace.
Also uploaded at the OSHC website is the CHANGE course that deals with tobacco use, HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, nasal and lung ailments, good nutrition and breast feeding, and exercise. A collaborative effort of the World Health Organization (WHO), International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNADIDS), Department of Health (DOH), Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines, and the OSHC, the CHANGE course focuses on a behavioral change strategy that can be adapted by enterprises to improve the health and well-being of their workers.
END/DJ Romero
Any question on this release? Please contact Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, MD, CESO III, Executive director, Occupational Safety and Health Center, North Avenue corner Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City with telephone numbers 929-6036 to 39 and e-mail address: oshc_dole@yahoo.com
