Group asks Senate to pass law on occupational safety

CEBU, Philippines - The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) continues to push for the passage of Senate Bill 1327 or "An Act strengthening compliance with occupational safety and health standards."

The proposed bill seeks to provide administrative and criminal penalties for non-compliance with occupational safety and health standards (OSHS).

OSHC Executive Director Noel Binag, in a press conference, said that the proposed bill was already approved at the House of Representatives and deliberation at the Senate will be on Monday.

"We hope that this bill (will) be approved by the Senate kasi pumasa na siya sa lower house. Hopefully, this will become into law," Binag said.

At present, only the Department of Labor Employment (DOLE) regional director who can issue a work stoppage order in cases of imminent danger.

The proposed measure provides a P100,000-penalty for every violation committed by erring employers and a penalty of P250,000 to P500,000 or six years imprisonment if a worker dies.

DOLE-7 Acting Regional Director Cyril Ticao said that to date there are no penalties for erring employers violating occupational safety and health in the workplace.

From January to July this year, DOLE-7 has already issued twelve work stoppage orders against construction companies violating labor standard laws and OSH, Ticao said.

The OSHC has a vision towards a healthy, well-protected working population in a caring and responsive work environment brought by sound OSH policies and laws, research, training, information exchange, technical expertise and extensive networking.

OSHC spearheaded the Zero Accident Program of DOLE, which uses a multi-prolonged approached to the problems of safety and health at work.

Another two major events on work safety and health are the Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan and the National Occupational Safety and Health Congress serve as the centerpiece programs on increasing awareness and strengthening commitment to safer and healthier workplace nationwide.

GKK is a national award given by DOLE to companies and individuals with outstanding achievements on work safety and health while NOSH Congress provides a venue for the exchange of experiences and new trends on OSH. (FREEMAN)