DOLE-OSHC and Western Visayas holds a series of trainings for DPWH engineers on construction safety
A total of 50 engineers for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from various districts of Western Visayas attended the first of a series of the Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) Training conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) DOLE Regional Office VI and the Western Visayas Occupational Safety and health Network held on August 1-5, at the HRT Service Center, ISAT U, La Paz, Iloilo City
Salome O. Siaton, OIC-Regional Director of DOLE-RO6, welcomed the participants and thanked the partners for their undying advocacy towards the achievement of zero accidents in the region. She reiterated that both the public and private are covered by the Standards. “We have to work together to make Region-6 a safe and healthy workplace,” she said.
The COSH is one of the 40-hour mandatory training for safety officers in the construction industry. As required by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and DOLE Department Order 13, a sufficient number of trained safety officers must be employed by all construction companies. The number of safety officers depends on the number of workers for every shift.
A DOLE-approved construction safety and health program (CSHP) is also required for each project. The CSHP must explicitly state provisions for the safety and health committee, conduct of toolbox meetings orientation and training of all workers, waste disposal and pertinent penalties and sanctions for violations of the CSHP.
These requirements are reinforced by the Memorandum of Agreement – Joint Administrative Order on Construction Safety signed by the DOLE, Professional Regulation Commission, and the Departments of Public Works and Highways, Interior and Local Government, and Trade and Industry (Construction Manpower Development Foundation, Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board) in 2011.
END/DJ Romero and M Melocoton
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
