Workplace safety improves

MANILA, Philippines - Manufacturing firms and other workplaces in the country are now a lot safer for workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported.

Data from the DOLE’s Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) showed a sharp decline in the number of occupational accidents and injuries.

Based on a survey involving 6,460 firms, a total of 44,800 occupational accidents were recorded nationwide.

Labor officials said the figure was 14.7 percent lower than the 52,515 occupational accidents recorded from 4,824 commercial establishments nationwide five years ago.

They added that the number of occupational injuries resulting from workplace accidents also went down by 20.7 percent from 58,720 in year 2003.

While manufacturing firms accounted for two-thirds or 30,790 of the total recorded occupational injuries in 2008, the same study indicated a 69 percent drop in injuries from the said sector.

But the highest percentage increase in occupational injuries was observed in private education, from 699 in 2003 to 1,234 cases in 2008.

The biggest decrease, on the other hand, was recorded in real estate and business activities.

Labor officials noted that occupational accidents resulting in death also slipped by 31.8 percent although occupational injuries resulting to permanent disability rose by 23.7 percent.

More than half or 60 percent of the occupational injuries only required first aid treatment, but also led to the absence of employees for several days.

Absence due to occupational injuries went down by 12.4 percent from 23,265 cases to 20,386, mostly due to superficial injuries and open wounds.   – Mayen Jaymalin