DOLE-OSHC and Western Visayas OSHNET train DPWH personnel on construction safety
“Our efforts will safeguard the safety and health of workers which will contribute to our goal of having zero accidents in the region,” said DOLE Region VI OIC-Director Salome Siaton during the second batch of Construction Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) Training for DPWH personnel. The training was conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) and Western Visayas Occupational Safety and Health Network (WV OSHNet) on September 5-9, 2016.
Some 50 engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VI attended the COSH Training held at the HRT Service Center, ISAT-U, Iloilo City. The said training aimed to equip the district engineers of DPWH in ensuring the implementation of the DOLE Department Order No. 13: Guidelines Governing Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry in DPWH projects. It also highlighted the evaluation of the Construction Safety and Health Programs.
The COSH Training is one of the 40-hour mandatory trainings for all 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
