DOLE –OSHC conducts forum on climate change
Representatives from the private sector and various DOLE Offices attended the climate change forum held by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) to address the effects of climate change in the workplace today, April 15, 2016 at the OSHC main office in Quezon City.
“Climate change is ineveitable and with all that’s happening in our country and accross the globe, we have to step up our efforts to respond to the effects one of which is heat stress,” said Occupational Safety and Health Executive Director Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, MD, CESO III.
Director Cucueco discussed adverse effects of heat stress which include heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. It can also cause reduced work performance, increase in accidents, reproductive problems, and heart, lung & kidney disease. As provided for in the DOLE Labor Advisory No 03-16, different control measures can be implemented by the employers such replacing or isolating work heat producing processes, blocking radiant heat with barriers or shade, installing appropriate ventilation systems, providing adequate potable water, and having an acclimatization plan for workers exposed to extreme heat.
Julius Cainglet, assistant vice president of the Federeation for Free Workers discussed the results of teh survey he conducted to determine the effects of excessive heat, one of the results of climate change, to workers. He said that in the random survey, it was noted that workers experience dehydration, dizziness, hypertension, fainting, and fatigue. Workers also have problems with access to potable water and spoilage of packed lunches. He also reported that heat stress has a bigger impact onprecarious workers especially those staying in workers in makeshift workplaces and thsoe whose companies have no immediate institutional response to heat stress at work.
Berenalyn Peji of the DOLE Institute for Labor Studies also discussed the efforts of the DOLE to address climate change and the efforts being done for the creation of green jobs.
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: oshcenter@dole.gov.ph
