Duterte signed stronger occupation safety law, Villanueva says

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a stronger measure on ensuring safety and heath standards in the country's work places, Senator Joel Villanueva said on Monday.

In a statement, Villanueva thanked Duterte for signing what is now Republic Act No. 11058 or An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) which imposes fines for violation of safety standards.

Villanueva, Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development chairman, said the passage of this measure into law after four Congresses is an important milestone as he was a member of the House of Representatives when the OSHS bill was first filed in 2004.

“The signing of OSHS bill into law is a resounding victory to all our workers,” Villanueva said.

Malacañang provided the media a copy of the law which was signed by Duterte on August 17.

With the law in place, Villanueva said the DOLE should raise the occupational safety and health standards compliance above the 67 percent compliance rate in 2017 when 72 workplace accidents caused deaths of 95 workers and injuries to 117.

“One death or one injury due to workplace accident is far too many.  This should stop," Villanueva said.

"The OSHS law will prevent workplace injuries or deaths, work-related disorders such as muscoloskeletal disorders and occupational lung diseases, and ensure that workplace health and safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he added.

The law provides the duties of employers, workers, and other persons to:

• furnish the workers a place of employment free from hazardous conditions;
• give complete job safety instructions or orientation to all the workers;
• inform the workers of the hazards associated with their work;
• use only approved devices and equipment for the workplace; and
• comply with OSH standards including the provision of protective and safety devices such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and machine guards.

It also required all safety and health personnel to undergo training on basic occupational safety and health for safety officers as prescribed by the DOLE.

The law also requires measures to deal with emergencies and accidents including first-aid arrangements.

Up to an amount of P100,000 will serve as an administrative penalty for the erring employer for every day of non-correction of violation, counted from the date the employer or contractor is notified of the violation or the date the compliance order is duly served on the employer.

Villanueva said the amount of fine imposed shall depend on the frequency or gravity of the violation committed or the damage caused, provided, however, that the maximum amount shall be imposed only when the violation exposes the workers to a risk of death, serious injury or serious illness.

RA 11058 covers all establishments, projects, sites, and workplaces in all branches of economic activity but subject to the appropriate standards of OSH based on number of employees, nature of operations, and the risk or hazard involved, as determined by the Secretary of Labor.

The measure further authorizes the Secretary of Labor and Employment and/or representatives to enter workplaces at any time of the day or night where work is being performed to examine records and investigate facts, conditions, or matters necessary to determine compliance with the provisions of the OSH law.

"The State affirms labor as a primary social and economic force, and that a safe and healthy workforce is an integral aspect of nation building," the law stated. — with Virgil Lopez/NB/RSJ, GMA News