More than 69,000 workers benefit from OSHC’s Work Environment Measurement

A total of 69,203 workers from 193 companies may now enjoy a safer work Environment after safety measures recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) are implemented. These safety measures are based on the Work Environment Measurements (WEM) conducted by OSHC for 2016.

The WEM is a technical service wherein a team of experts identify and measure various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards within the premises of an establishment. The results of the measurement are then evaluated in the laboratory which will then be the basis for corrective strategies.

“We have tripled our efforts to address the huge demand for Work Environment Measurement (WEM),” said Occupational Safety and Health Executive Director Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, MD, CESO III.

Under Rule 1077 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards, employers are responsible for conducting the WEM through their staff with specialized training or through accredited providers.

“There are very few establishments which have the capacity to carry out their own WEM and we have a long list of companies waiting to be served. We are thus continuously

holding WEM trainings to widen the base of qualified workers who can conduct this technical service. We are also looking into accrediting providers to be able to serve more companies and workers,” Cucueco added.

In June of this year, the DOLE issued Department Order 160-2016 on the guidelines for the accreditation of WEM poviders. The OSHC has been named as the accrediting body for organizations who conduct sampling and laboratory analyses.

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