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Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of July, two thousand seventeen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 11058

An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing
Penalties for Violations Thereof

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I

DECLARATION OF POLICY

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - The State affirms labor as a primary social and economic force, and that a
and healthy workforce is an integral aspect of nation building.

The State shall ensure a safe and healthful workplace for all working people by affording them full protection
against all hazards in their work environment. It shall ensure that the provisions of the Labor Code of the
Philippines, all domestic laws, and internationally-recognized standards on occupational safety and health are
being fully enforced and complied with by the employers, and it shall provide penalties for any violation thereo
The State shall protect every worker against injury, sickness or death through safe and healthful working
conditions thereby assuring the conservation of valuable manpower resources and prevention of loss or dama
to lives and properties consistent with national development goals, and with the State's commitment to the tot
development of every worker as a complete human being.

The State, in protecting the safety and health of the workers, shall promote strict but dynamic, inclusive, and
gender-sensitive measures in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs related to
occupational safety and health.

CHAPTER II

GENEREAL PROVISIONS

Section 2. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all establishments, projects, sites, including Philippine Econom
Zone Authority (PEZA) establishments, and all other places where work is being undertaken in all other place
where work is being undertaken in all branches of economic activity, except in public sector.

The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall issue the number of employees, and nature of operations, and
risk or hazard involved.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:

(a) Certified first-aider refers to any person trained and duly certified to administer first aid by the
Philippine Red Cross or any organization authorized by the Secretary of Labor and Employment;

(b) Competency standards refers to industry-determined specification of proficiency required for effec
work performance. These are expressed as outcomes with focus on workplace activity rather than tra
or personal attributes, and the ability to apply new skills in new situations or changing work organizati

(c) Covered workplaces refer to establishments, projects, sites and all other places where work is bein
undertaken wherein the number of employee, nature of operations, and risk or hazard involved in the
business, as determined by the Secretary of Labor and Employment, require compliance with the
provisions of this Act;

(d) Employer refers to any person, natural or juridical, including the principal employer, contractor or
subcontractor, if any, who directly or indirectly benefits from the services of the employee;

(e) Equipment refers to any machine with engine or electric motor as prime mover;

(f) General safety and health inspection refers to an examination pf the work environment including th
location and operation of machinery other than those covered by technical safety audits, adequacy of
work space, ventilation, lighting, conditions of work environment, handling, storage of work procedure
protection facilities and other possible sources of safety and health hazards in the workplace;

(g) Imminent danger refers to a situation caused by a condition or practice in any place of employmen
that could reasonably be expected to lead to death or serious physical harm;

(h) Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) refer to establishments employing less than ten (10) employe
and establishments employing less than one hundred (100) employees, respectively.
 (i) Occupational health personnel refers to a qualified first aider, nurse, dentist or physician engaged b
the employer to provide occupational health services in the establishment, project, site or workplace;

(j) Occupational Safety and Heatlh (OSH) standards refer to the Occupational Safety and Health
Standards issued by the Secretary of Labor and Employment pursuant to Articles 168 and 171, Chap
2, Title I of Book Four of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Co
of the Philippines, and such other standards as may be issued pursuant to this Act;

(k) Safety and health audit refers to a regular and critical examination of project sites, safety programs
records, and management performance on programs, records, and management performance on
program standards on safety and health;

(l) Safety and health committee refers to a body created within the workplace tasked with the authority
monitor, inspect and investigate all aspects of the work pertaining to the safety and health of workers.

(m) Safety and health program refers to a set of detailed rules to govern the processs and practices in
economic activities to conform with OSH standards, including the personnel responsible, and penaltie
any violation thereof;

(n) Safety officer refers to any employee or officer of the company trained by the Department of Labor
Employment (DOLE) and tasked by the employer to implement an occupational safety and health
program, and ensure that it is in accordance with the provisions of OSH standards;

(o) Safety signage refers to any emergency, warning or danger signpost or any safety instruction usin
the standards colors and sizes, including the standards symbols for safety instructions and warnings i
the workplace, prescribed by the DOLE; and

(p) Workplace refers to any site or location where workers need to be or to go to by reason of their wo
and which are under the direct or indirect control of the employer.

CHAPTER III

DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND OTHER PERSONS

Section 4. Duties of Employers Workers an Other Persons. -

(a) Every employer, contractor or subcontractor, if any, and any person who manages, controls or
supervises the work being undertaken shall:

(1) Furnish the workers a place of employment free from hazardous conditions
that are causing or are likely to cause death, illness or physical harm to the
workers;

(2) Give complete job safety instructions or orientation to all the workers especially
to those entering the job for the first time, including those relating to familiarization
with their work environment;

(3) Inform the workers of the hazards associated with their work health risks
involved ot to which they are exposed to, preventive measures to eliminate or
minimize the risks, and steps to be taken in cases of emergency;
 (4) Use only approved devices and equipment for the workplace;

(5) Comply with OSH standards including training medical examination and where
necessary, provision of protective and safety devices such as personal protective
equipment (PPE) and machine guards;

(6) Allow workers and their safety and health representatives to participate actively
in the process of organizing, planning, implementing and evaluating the safety and
health program to improve safety and health in the workplace; and

(7) Provide, where necessary, for measures to deal with emergencies and
accidents including first-aid arrangements.

(b) Every worker shall participate in ensuring compliance with OSH standards in the workplace.
The worker shall make proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished for the worker's
protection and that of others, and shall observe instructions to prevent accidents or imminent
danger situation in workplace. The worker shall observe the prescribed steps to be taken in cases
of emergency.

The worker shall report to the supervisor any work hazard that may be discovered in the
workplace.

(c) It shall be the duty of any person, including the builder or contractor who visits, builds,
renovates or installs devices or conducts business in any establishment or workplace, to comply
with the provisions of this Act and all other regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor and
Employment.

(d) Whenever two(2) or more undertakings are engaged in activities simultaneously in one (1)
workplace, it shall be the duty of all engaged to collaborate in the application of OSH standards
and regulations.

Section 5. Workers' Right to Know. - The right to safety and health at work shall be guaranteed. All workers s
be appropriately informed by the employer about all types of hazards in the workplace, provided access to
training and education on chemical safety, electrical safety mechanical safety, and ergonomical safety.

Section 6. Workers' Right to Refuse Unsafe Work. The worker has the right of refusal to work without threat o
reprisal from the employer if, as determined by the DOLE, an imminent danger situation exists in the workplac
that may result in illness, injury or death, and corrective actions to eliminate the danger have not been undert
by the employer.

Section 7. Workers' Right to Report Accidents. Workers and their representatives shall have the right to repo
accidents, dangerous occurences, and hazards to the employer, to the DOLE and other concerned governme
agencies exercising jurisdiction as the competent authority in the specific industry or economic activity.

Section 8. Workers' Right to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). - Every employer, contractor or
subcontructor, if any, shall provide his workers, free of charge, protective equipment for their eyes, face, hand
and feet, and free, and lifeline, safety belt or harness, gas or dust respirators or masks, protective shields
whenever necessary by reason of the hazardous work process or environment, chemical, radiological,
mechanical and other irritants or hazards capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part o
body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. The cost of the PPE shall be part of the safety and he
program which is a separate pay item pursuant to Section 20 of this Act.

All PPE shall be of the appropriate type as tested and approved by the DOLE based on its standards. The us
of PPE in all establishments, projects, sites and all other places where work is being undertaken shall be bas
on the evaluation and recommendation of the safety officer.

Section 9. Safety Signage and Devices. - All establishments, projects, sites and all other places where work
being undertaken shall have safety signage and devices to warn the workers and the public of the hazards in
workplace. Safety signage and devices shall be posted in prominent positions and strategic locations in a
language understandable to all, and in accordance with the standard set by the DOLE.

Section 10. Safety in the Use of Equipment. In relation to the use of equipment, the employer, contractor or
subcontractor, if any, must comply with the DOLE requirements in the different phases of the company or pro
operation including the transport to and from the establishment, project, site or place where work is being
undertaken.

Section 11. Occupational Safety and Health Information. - Workers in all establishments, projects, sites and a
other places where work is being undertaken shall be provided adequate and suitable information by the
employer, contractor or subcontractor, if any, on safety and health hazards, and the appropriate measures,
including the probable location of workers, for the prevention, control and protection againsta those hazards.

CHAPTER IV

COVERED WORKPLACES

Section 12. Occupational Safety Health (OSH) Program. - Covered workplaces shall have a safety and healt
program including the following policies, guidelines or information:

(a) Statement of commitment to comply with OSH requirements;

(b) General safety and health, including a drug-free workplace;

(c) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS)/tuberculosis/hepatitis prevention control;

(d) Company or project details;

(e) Composition and duties of the safety and health committee;

(f) Occupational Safety and health personnel and facilities;

(g) Safety and health promotion, training and education;

(h) Conduct of toolbox meetings;

(i) Accident/incident/illness investigation, recording and reporting;

(j) Provision and use of PPE;

(l) Dust control and management, and regulations on activities such as building of temporary
structures, and lifting and operation of electrical, mechanical, communications systems and other
equipment;

(m) Provision of workers' welfare facilities;

(n) Emergency preparedness and response plan;

(o) Waste management system; and

(p) Prohibited acts and penalties for violations.

The safety and health program shall be prepared and executed by the employer, contractor or subcontractor,
any, in consultation with the workers and their representatives and shall be submitted to the DOLE which sha
approved disapproved or modify the same according to existing laws riles and regulations, and other issuanc

The approved safety and health program shall be communicated and be made readily available to all persons
the workplace.

Section 13. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee. - To ensure that the safety and health progra
observed and enforced, a safety and health committee shall be organized in covered workplaces composed o
the following:

(a) Employer or representative as the chairperson ex officio;

(b) Safety officer of the company or project as the secretary;

(c) Safety officer representing the contractor or subcontractor, as the case may be, as members;

(d) Physicians, nurses, certified first-aiders, and dentists as members, ex officio,if applicable; and

(e) Workers representatives who shall come from the union if the workers are organized or
elected by the workers through a simple majority vote if they are unorganized, as members.

The committee shall effectively plan develop, oversee and monitor the implementation of the safety and healt
program.

Section 14. Safety Officer. - To ensure that a safety and health program is duly followed and enforced, cover
workplaces shall have safety officers who shall:

(a) Oversee the overall management of the safety and health program;

(b) Frequently monitor and inspect any health or safety aspect of the operation being undertaken;

(c) Assist government inspectors in the conduct of safety and health inspection at any time
whenever work is being performed or during the conduct of an accident investigation; and
 (d) Issue work stoppage orders when necessary.

The number and qualification of the safety officers shall be proportionate to the total number of wrokers and
equipment, the size of the work area and such other criteria as may be prescribed by the DOLE.

In the case of a contractor or subcontractor, a safety officer must be deployed at each specific area of operati
to oversee the management of the safety and health programs of its own workforce.

Section 15. Occupational Health Personnel and Facilities. - Covered workplaces shall have qualified
occupational health personnel such as physicians, nurses, certified first-aiders, and dentists duly complemen
with the required medical supplies, equipment and facilities. The number of health personnel, equipment and
facilities. The number of health personnel, equipment and facilities, and the amount of supplies shall be
proportionate to the total number of workers and the risk of hazard involved, the ideal ratio of which shall be
prescribed by the DOLE.

Section 16. Safety and Health Training. -

(a) All safety and health personnel shall undergo the mandatory training on basic occupational
safety and health for safety officers as prescribed by DOLE.

(b) All workers shall undergo the mandatory eight (8) hours safety and health seminar as required
by the DOLE which shall include a portion on joint employer-employee orientation.

(c) All personnel engaged in the operation, erection and dismantling of equipment and scaffolds,
structural erections, excavations, blasting operations, demolition, confined spaces hazardous
chemicals, welding, and flame cutting shall undergo specialized instruction and training on the
said activities.

Section 17. Occupational Safety and Health Reports. - All employers, contractors or subcontractors, if any, s
submit all safety health reports, and notifications prescribed by the DOLE.

Section 18. Workers' Competency Certification. - In order to professionalize, upgrade and update the level of
competence of workers, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) or the Professio
Regulation Commission (PRC), as the case may be, shall establish national compentency standards and pre
guidelines on competence assessment and certification for critical occupations. In this regard, all critical
occupations shall undergo the mandatory competence assessment and certification by the TESDA.

An occupation shall be considered critical when:

(a) The performance of a job afects the people's lives and safety;

(b) The job involves the handling of tools, equipment and supplies;

(c) The job requires a relatively long period of education and training; and

(d) The performance of the job may compromise the safety, health and environmental concerns
within the immediate vicinity of the establishment.

Section 19. Workers' Welfare Facilities. - All establishments, projects, sites and all other places where work i
being undertaken shall have the following welfare facilities in order to ensure humane working conditions:
 (a) Adequate supply of safe drinking water;

(b) Adequate sanitary and washing facilities;

(c) Suitable living accomodation for workers, as may be applicable; and

(d) Separate sanitary, washing and sleeping facilities for men and women workers as may be
applicable.

Section 20. Cost of safety and Health Program. - The total cost of implementing a duly approved safety and
health program shall be an integral part of the operations cost. It shall be a separate pay item in construction
in all contracting or subcontracting arrangements.

CHAPTER V

JOINT AND SOLIDARITY LIABILITY

Section 21. Employers' Responsibility and Liability. - The employer, project owner, general contractor, contra
or subcontractor, if any, and any person who manages, controls or supervises the work being undertaken sha
jointly and solidarily liable for compliance with this Act.

CHAPTER VI

ENFORCEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS

Section 22. Visitorial Power of the Secretary of Labor and Employment. - Pursuant to Article 128 of the Labo
Code of the Philippines and other applicable laws, the Secretary of Labor and Employment or the Secretary's
authorized representatives shall have the authority to enforce the mandatory occupational safety and health
standards in all establishments and conduct, together with representatives from the the labor and the employ
sectors, an annual spot audit on compliance with OSH standards. The Secretary or the Secretary's duly
authorized representatives can enter workplaces at anytime of the day or night where work is being performe
examine records and investigate facts, conditions or matters necessary to determine compliance with the
provisions of this Act.

No person or entity shall obstruct, impede, delay or otherwise render ineffective the orders of the Secretary of
Labor and Employment or the Secretary's duly authorized representatives issued pursuant to the authority
granted under Article 128 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, and no lower court or entity shall issue tempor
or permanent injunction or restraining order or otherwise assume jurisdiction over any case involveing the
enforcement orders.

The Secretary of Labor and Employment may likewise order stoppage of work or suspension of operations of
unit or department of an establishment when noncompliance with law or implementing rules and regulations
poses grave and imminent danger to the health and safety of workers in the workplace.

The procedure for inspecting work premises, notifying employers of violations, and issuing compliance or
stoppage orders shall be pursuant to the procedure laid down in Article 128 of the Labor Code of the Philippin
as implemented through relevant regulations issued by the DOLE on administration and enforcement of labor
laws. The inspector or person authorized by the DOLE to enforce compliance with OSH standards shall prese
proper identification upon request, and such inspector or person shall only act within the authority or direction
given by the Secretary of Labor and Employment.
The Secretary of Labor and Employment or the Secretary duly authorized representatives shall inspect
establishments and workplaces regardless of the size and nature of operation. Any kind of self-assessment s
not take the place of labor inspection conducted by the DOLE. However, chartered cities may be allowed to
conduct industrial safety inspections of establishments within their jurisdiction in coordination with the
DOLE: Provided, That they have adequate facilities and competent personnel for purpose as determines by t
DOLE, and subject to national standards established by the latter.

Section 23, Payment of Workers During Work Stoppage Due to Imminent Danger. - If stoppage of work due
imminent danger occurs as a result of the employer's violation or fault, the employer shall pay the workers
concerned their wages during the period of such stoppage of work or suspension of operation. For purposes
payment of wages and any other liabilities arising from a work stoppage order is issued secondary to an imm
danger situation which would imperil the lives of the workers.

Section 24. Delegation of Authority. - The authority to enforce mandatory OSH standards may be delegated
the Secretary of Labor and Employment to a competent government authority.

Section 25. Standards Setting Power of the Secretary of Labor and Employment. - The Secretary of Labor an
Employment shall, in consultation with the other concerned government agencies and relevant stakeholders,
appropriate orders, set and enforce mandatory OSH standards to eliminate or reduce occupational safety and
health hazards depending on the number of employees of the establishment, the nature of its business
operations, and the risk or hazard involved.

The Secretary shall also institute new, and update existing programs to ensure safe and healthy working
conditions in all workplaces especially in hazardous industries such as a mining, fishing, construction, and the
maritime industry.

Section 26. Employee's Compensation Claim. - A worker may file claims for compensation benefit arising ou
work-related disability or death. Such claims shall be processed independently of the finding of fault, gross
negligence or bad faith of the employer in a proceeding instituted for the purpose.

Section 27. Incentives to Employers. - There shall be an established package of incentives under such riles a
regulations as may be promulgated by the DOLE to qualified employers to recognize their efforts toward ensu
compliance with OSH and general labor standards such as OSH training packages, additional protective
equipment, technical guidance, recognition awards and other similar incentives.

Section 28. Prohibited Acts. - The following are considered as prohibited acts:

(a) Willful failure or refusal of an employer, contructor or subcontructor to comply with the required
OSH standards or with a compliance order issued by the Secretary of Labor and Employment or
by the Secretary's authorized representative shall make such employer, contructor or
subcontructor liable for an administrative fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos
(₱100,000.00) per day until the violation is corrected, counted from the date the employer or
contructor is notified of the violation or the date the compliance order is duly served on the
employer. The amount of fine imposed shall depend on the frequency or gravity of the violation
committed or the damage caused: Provide, 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.

(b) An employer, contructor or subcontructor who willfully fails or refuses to comply with the
required OSH standards or with a duly issued compliance order, and engages in any of the
following acts to aid, conceal or facilitate such noncompliance shall be liable for a maximum of
 One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) administrative fine separate from the daily fine
imposed above:

(1) Repeated obstruction, delay or refusal to provide the Secretary of Labor and
Employment or any of its authorized representatives access to the covered workplace or
refusal to provide or allow access to relevant records and documents or obstruct the
conduct of investigation of any fact necessary in determining compliance with OSH
standards;

(2) Misrepresentation in relation to adherence to OSH standards, knowing such statement,

(3) Making retaliatory measures such as termination of employment, refusal to pay,

For the purpose, the Secretary of Labor and Employment, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall iss
list of offenses with corresponding reasonable administrative fines depending on the severity, frequency and
damage caused without prejudice to the filing of a criminal or a civil casein the regular courts, as the case ma
be.

The fine collected shall be used for the operation of occupational safety and health initiatives, including
occupational safety and health training and education and other occupational safety and health programs.

CHAPTER VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 29. Updated DOLE Computerized Labor Law Compliance System. - The Secretary of Labor and
Employment shall maintain an updated labor inspection system of computerized gathering and generation of
time data on compliances, monitoring of enforcement, and a system of notification on workplace accidents an
injuries.

Section 30. Applicability to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). - Specific to MSEs, the DOLE shall develop
OSH core compliance standards to ensure safe and healthy workplaces. All MSEs shall be required to implem
the prescribed standards for housekeeping, materials handling and storage, electrical and mechanical safety
PPE, and to monitor hazards regularly.

Section 31. Inter-Governmental Coordination and Cooperation. - The DOLE shall institute a mechanism for
coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Departmen
Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Departmen of Publis Works and Highways, Department of Trade a
Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Information
Communications Technology, PEZA and all other government agencies, including local government units, wit
sixty (60) days from the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. They shall regularly
convene to monitor the effective implementation of this Act as well as the related programs and projects that
established to prevent and eliminate the incidence of injury, sickness or death in all workplaces.

Section 32. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The Secretary of Labor and Employment, in coordination
agencies concerned, shall formulate the rules and regulations within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of th
Act.
Section 33. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 34. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or other
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby modified or repealed.

Section 35. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gaz
or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

VICENTE C. SOTTO
President of the Senate

PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ
Speaker of the House of Representative

This Act which is a consolidated of House Bill No. 64 and Senate Bill No. 1317 was passed by the House of
Representatives and the Senate on May 22, 2018.

MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA

CESAR STRAIT PAREJA

Approved: August 17, 2018

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

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