SESSION 1: Introduction to Problem Solving

Summary of Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the module you will be able to:

✓ L.O. 1 - Identify OSH compliance requirements
✓ L.O. 2 - Prepare OSH requirements for compliance
✓ L.O. 3 - Perform tasks in accordance with relevant
OSH policies and procedures
 SESSION 1: Introduction to Problem Solving

Key Topics and Learning Points

1. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
2. Hazards and risks in the workplace
3. General OSH Principles
4. Key Elements of an Occupational Safety and Health
Program
5. OSH requirements, regulations, policies and procedures -
DOLES’s Republic Act 11058 (Declaration Policy) and DOLE
Dept Order No. 198 s. 2018 – Implementing Rules and
Regulation of RA 11058
6. OSH Preventive and Control Requirements, including
Implementing Rules and regulations on RA 11036 or the
Mental Health Act
7. Work Safety Tips for Employees
8. S.A.M Principles or the Think Safe Steps- Spot the
Hazard, Assess the Risk, Make the Changes
9. Hierarchy of Controls
The goal of an occupational safety and health program is to foster a safe and
healthy work environment and ensure protection for everyone.
A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on
something or someone.
 Risk is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an
adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard.
General OSH principles include avoiding and preventing hazards, using safe
technology, making sure the work environment is safe, integrating safety and
health practices such as breaks into production, and eliminating workplace risks at
the source.
 Key Elements of an Occupational Safety and Health Program: management
leadership, worker participation, hazard identification & assessment, hazard
prevention & control, education & training, and program evaluation &
improvement
Employers and employees both have responsibilities in
ensuring and carrying out OSH activities in the
workplace.
 Hierarchy of Controls:
• ˗ Elimination (most effective)
• ˗ Substitution
• ˗ Engineering controls
• ˗ Administrative controls
• ˗ Personal protective equipment (least effective)
 Key Facts 7.1: What is Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)?

Occupational safety and health is a discipline with a broad scope involving three
major fields –
• 1. Occupational Safety - understanding the causes of accidents at work and
ways to prevent unsafe acts and unsafe conditions in any workplace. Safety at
work includes good housekeeping, proper materials handling and storage,
machine safety, electrical safety, fire prevention and control, safety inspection,
and accident investigation.
• 2. Occupational Health - a broad concept which explains how the different
hazards and risks at work may cause an illness and emphasizes that health
programs are essential in controlling work-related and/or occupational diseases.
• 3. Industrial Hygiene - the identification, evaluation, and control of physical,
chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards in the workplace
• The goal of an occupational safety and health program is to foster a safe
and healthy work environment and ensure protection for everyone.
• What is a hazard?
A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects
on something or someone.
• What is a risk?
It may also apply to situations with property or equipment loss, or harmful
effects on the environment. Risks are expressed as a probability or
likelihood of developing a disease or getting injured, whereas hazard
refers to the agent responsible (i.e. smoking).
In putting Occupational Safety and Health into practice in the workplace, a few strategic principles are
essential:

1. Avoid and prevent hazards.

2. Use safe technology - ensure the kind of technology workers use are safe and
not at all risky.
3. Optimize working conditions - the environment should be safe with no health
hazards and risks.
4. Integrate production and health and safety activities - For example, have a
regular break time and place where employees can take a few minutes to rest
before returning to work.
5. Eliminate workplace risks at the source - tour around the area, inspect places,
check equipment to know if they are functioning or not.
With these principles in mind, imagine that you run a manufacturing business and you want
to set up an Occupational Safety and Health program. What would be the key elements of
your approach? Think about the following questions to help you answer the question:

1. Who would need to be involved and how?

2. What types of hazards might exist?
3. How can hazards be prevented?
4. What would employees need to prevent hazards and minimize risk?
Key Facts 7.2: Core Elements of an Occupational Safety and Health Program

Management
 Management committed to improving safety & health.
Leadership

Worker  Workers involved in all aspects of safety and health programs:

Participation identifying hazards, preventing hazards, reporting issues.

 Produces in place to identify hazards and evaluate risks.

 Regular system of assessing hazards and control measures (initial
Hazard
assessment and then periodic inspections
Identification &
 Hazards reported to appropriate managers
Assessment
 Identified hazards prioritized control
  Identify and select methods for eliminating, preventing or controlling
Hazard Prevention & hazard
Control  Hierarchy of controls used to determine actions to take: engineering,
safe work practices, administrative, PPE

 All workers trained to know their responsibilities related to safety and

Education & health
Training  All workers trained to recognize hazards and to understand the control
measures

Program Evaluation
& Improvement  Regular monitoring and actions taken to improve safety & health
 Key Facts 7.2: Declaration Policy

DECLARATION OF POLICY
RA 11058
The State:
• labor as a primary social and economic force, … safe and healthy workforce is an integral
aspect of nation building
• ensure a safe and healthful workplace for all working people … full protection against all
hazards
• provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines, all laws, and internationally-recognized
standards on OSH are being fully enforced and complied with…
• protect every worker against injury, sickness or death
• strict but dynamic, inclusive, and gender-sensitive measures
The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall issue the appropriate standards of
occupational safety and health for such purpose based on the number of employees, nature
of operations and the risk or hazard involved.
DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND OTHER PERSONS
A. Every employer contractor or subcontractor, 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 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 or to which they are exposed to, preventive measures to eliminate or
minimize the risks, and steps to be taken in case of emergency;
4. Use only approved devices and equipment for the workplace;
5. Comply with OSHS 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 program to improve the
safety and health in the workplace;
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 OSHS in the

workplace.
• The worker shall make proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished for
his/her protection and that of others and shall observe instructions to prevent accidents or
imminent danger situation in
the workplace.
• They shall observe the prescribed steps to be taken in case 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.

Whenever two or more undertakings are engaged in activities

simultaneously in one workplace, it shall be the duty of all engaged to
collaborate in the application of OSH standards and regulations.
WORKERS’ RIGHT TO KNOW
The right to safety and health at work shall be guaranteed
• All workers shall be appropriately informed by the employer about all
types of hazards in the workplace, and provided access to training and
education on chemical safety and to orientation on data sheet of chemical
safety, electrical safety, mechanical safety, and ergonomic safety
WORKERS’ RIGHT TO REFUSE TO UNSAFE WORK
• The worker has the right of refusal to work without threat or
reprisal from the employer if, as determined by the DOLE, an
imminent danger situation exists in the workplace that may result
to illness, injury or death, and corrective actions to eliminate the
danger have not been undertaken by the employer.
WORKERS’ RIGHT TO REPORT ACCIDENTS
• Workers and their representatives shall have the right to report
accidents, dangerous occurrences, and hazards to the employer, to
the DOLE and to other concerned government agencies
exercising jurisdiction as the competent authority in the specific
industry or economic activity.
WORKERS’ RIGHT TO PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
• Every employer shall provide their workers, free of charge, protective equipment for their
eyes, face, hands and feet, and lifeline, safety belt or harness, gas or dust respirators or
masks, and protective shields whenever necessary by reason of the hazardous work process
or environment, chemical, radio-logical, mechanical and other irritants or hazards capable
of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption,
inhalation or physical contact.
WORKERS’ RIGHT TO PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
• The cost of the PPE shall be part of the safety and health program which is a separate pay
item pursuant to Section 19 of this Act.
• All PPE shall be of the appropriate type as tested and approved by the DOLE based on its
standards. The usage of PPE in all establishments, projects, sites and all other places where
work is being undertaken shall be based on the evaluation and recommendation of the
safety officer
SAFETY SIGNAGE AND DEVICES
RA 11058
• All establishments, projects, sites and all other places where work is being
undertaken shall have safety signage and devices to warn the workers and
the public of the hazards in the workplace.
• Safety signage and devices shall be posted in prominent positions at
strategic locations in a language understandable to all and in accordance
with the standards set by the DOLE
SAFETY IN THE USE OF EQUIPMENT
• In relation to the use of equipment, the employer must comply with the
DOLE requirements in the different phases of the company or project
operation, including the transport to and from the establishment, project, site
or place where work is being undertaken.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
• Workers in all establishments, projects, sites and all 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 standards, and the appropriate measures, including the probable
location of workers for the prevention, control, and protection against those
hazards.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
• Covered workplaces shall have a safety and health program including, but
not limited to 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 and 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;
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM

• The safety and health program shall be prepared and executed by the employer, contractor or
subcontractor, if any, in consultation with the workers and their representatives and shall be submitted
to the DOLE which shall approve, disapprove or modify the same according to existing laws, rules
and regulations, and other issuances.
• The approved safety and health program shall be communicated and be made readily available to all
persons in the workplace.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE

• To ensure that the safety and health program is observed and enforced, covered workplaces shall
organize a Safety and Health Committee composed of the following:
a) Employer or a representative as the Chairperson, ex officio;
b) Safety officer of the company or project as the Secretary; and
c) Safety officers representing the contractor or subcontractor, as the case may be, as members
SAFETY OFFICER
• To ensure that a safety and health program is duly followed and
enforced, covered 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 order when necessary.
 Key Facts 7.3: Duties of Employers, Workers and Other Persons
Section 4. Duties of Employers, Workers and Other Persons
A. Duties of Employers – Every employer, contractor or subcontractor, if
any, and any person who manages, controls or supervises the work being
undertaken shall:
1. Equip a place of employment for workers free from hazardous conditions
that are causing or are likely to cause death, illness or physical harm to the
workers;
2. Provide complete job safety instructions and proper orientation to all
workers including, but not limited to, those relating to familiarization with
their work environment;
3. Ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the
chemical, physical and biological substances and agents,
and ergonomic and psychosocial stresses under their
control are without risk to health when the appropriate
measures of protection are taken;
4. Use only approved specific industry set of standards of
devices and equipment for the workplace, as applicable;
5. Comply with OSH standards including training, medical
examination, and when necessary, provisions on protective and
safety devices such as PPE and machine guards. Training for
workers shall include health promotion, hazards associated with
their work, health risks involved or to which they are exposed to,
preventive measures to eliminate or minimize risks, steps to be
taken in cases of emergency, and safety instructions for the jobs,
activities and tasks to be handled by workers;
6. Make arrangements for workers and their representatives to have the time
and resource to participate actively in the process of organizing, planning
and implementation, monitoring, evaluation and action for improvement of
the OSH management system;
7. Provide, when necessary, for measures identifying trainings and drills,
evacuation plans, etc., to deal with emergencies, fires and accidents
including first-aid arrangements;
8. Comply with all reportorial requirements of the OSH standards, and
9. Register establishment to DOLE as provided under the OSH standards.
B. Duties of Workers – Every worker, in order to ensure compliance with OSH
standards shall:
1. Participate in capacity building activities on safety and health and other OSH-
related topics and programs;
2. Proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished for workers’
protection and that of others;
3. Comply with instructions to prevent accidents or imminent danger situations
in the workplace;
4. Observe prescribed steps to be taken in cases of emergency including
participation in the conduct of national or local disaster drills; and
5. Report to their immediate supervisor or any responsible safety and health
personnel any work hazard that may be discovered in the workplace
C. Duties of Other Persons – Any other person, including the
builder or contractor who visits, builds, renovates or installs
devices or conducts business in any establishments or workplace,
shall comply with the provision of this Rules and all other
regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor and Employment
Whenever two (2) or more undertakings are engaged in activities
simultaneously in one (1) workplace, it shall be the duty of all
concerned to collaborate and cooperate to ensure compliance with
OSH standards and regulations
 NC I Review of Hazards in the Home and Workplace
✓ Safety hazards can cause immediate accidents and injuries. Examples: hot surfaces,
slippery floors.
✓ Chemical hazards are gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts that can harm your body.
Examples: cleaning products or pesticides.
✓ Biological hazards are living things that can cause diseases such as flu, COVID 19,
AIDS, Hepatitis, and TB. Examples: bacteria, viruses, or insects. In the workplace, you
can be exposed to biological hazards through contact with used needles, sick children,
animals, etc.
✓ Other health hazards are harmful things, not in the other categories, that can injure
you or make you sick. These hazards are sometimes less obvious because they may not
cause health problems right away. General categories may include physical,
psychological and ergonomic hazards. Examples: noise or repetitive movements.
 Key Facts 7.4: Work Safety Tips

1. Set your own standards. If you see others around you not wearing PPE or taking the
necessary safety precautions, do not copy them! Always be safe and do what you can to
avoid hazards and accidents.
2. Operate equipment only if qualified. Make sure you receive the training necessary
before operating equipment.
3. Respect machinery. Safely operate machinery. Don’t rush, don’t put your hands near
moving parts that can cut or crush you and always follow the safety rules in operating the
machinery.
4. Use your own initiative for safety protection. Ask for the proper PPE and ask questions
when you do not understand how to do something like run equipment or machinery.
5. Ask questions. If you are uncertain about how to do something, ask! Better safe than
sorry.
6. Use care and caution when lifting. If something is too heavy, ask for
help. Always bend at your knees when lifting.
7. Practice good housekeeping. Keep your work area organized! Accidents
happen when areas are disorganized. Remember the “5 S” system from NC
I!
8. Wear proper and sensible work clothes. Avoid loose clothing that can
get entangled in machines and wear sturdy footwear.
9. Practice good personal cleanliness. Wash your hands often and avoid
touching your face with dirty hands.
10. Be a positive part of the safety team. Follow the safety rules and
encourage others to do so too!
 Key Facts 7.5: Hazard Prevention and Risk Control

• Workplace inspections help prevent incidents, injuries, and illnesses. ˗

A critical examination of a workplace should help identify and document
hazards and provide solutions or corrective action.
• S.A.M Principles or the Think Safe Steps - Spot the Hazard, Assess
the Risk, Make the Changes.
˗ Spot the hazard: A hazard is anything that could hurt you or someone
else.
˗ Assess the risk: Assessing the risk means working out how likely it is
that a hazard will harm someone and how serious the harm could be.
˗ Make the changes: Use PPE or remove hazard in workplace.
• Three principles of risk control:
˗ Prevent risks
˗ Protect safety and health
˗ Eliminate accidents
• Control measures minimize or eliminate hazards or separate hazards from workers .
• The 5 levels of the risk control hierarchy are the following: (ordered from most effective
solutions to least effective solutions) ˗ Elimination (most effective)
˗ Substitution
˗ Engineering controls
˗ Administrative controls
˗ Personal protective equipment (least effective)
• These measures ensure that risks are evaluated, addressed, and avoided.
 Key Facts 7.6: Mental Health in the Workplace
Section 4. Definition – The terms are defined as follows:
Confidentiality refers to ensuring that all relevant information related to persons
with psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial health needs is kept safe from
access or use by, or disclosure to, persons or entities who are not authorized to
access, use, or possess such information;
Discrimination refers to any distinction, exclusion or restriction which has the
purpose or effect of nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an
equal basis with others, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. It includes all forms
of discrimination, including denial of reasonable accommodation. Special
measures solely to protect the rights or secure the advancement of persons with
decision-making impairment capacity shall not be deemed to be discriminatory
Impairment or Temporary Loss of Decision-Making Capacity refers to a
medically-determined inability on the part of a service user or any other person
affected by a mental health condition, to provide informed consent. A service user
has impairment or temporary loss of decision-making capacity when the service
user as assessed by a mental health professional is unable to do the following:
1. Understand information concerning the nature of a mental health condition;
2. Understand the consequences of one’s decision and actions on one’s life or
health, or the life or the health of others;
3. Understand information about the nature of the treatment proposed, including
methodology, direct effects, and possible side effects; and
4. Effectively communicate consent to treatment or hospitalization, or information
regarding one’s own condition
Informed consent refers to voluntarily given by a service user to a plan for
treatment, after a full disclosure communicate in plain language by the
attending mental health service provider, of the nature, consequences,
benefits, and risks of the proposed treatment, as well as available
alternatives.
Recovery-Based Approach refers to an approach to intervention and
treatment centered on the strengths of a service user and involving the active
participation, as equal partners in care, of persons with lived experiences in
mental health. This requires integrating a service user’s understanding of his
or her condition into any plan for treatment and recovery;
Service User refers to a person with lived experience of any mental
health condition including persons who require, or are undergoing
psychiatric, neurologic or psychosocial care;
Support refers to the spectrum of informal and formal arrangements or
services of varying types and intensities, provided by the State, private
entities, or communities, aimed at assisting a service user in the exercise
of his or her legal capacity or rights, including: community services,
personal assistants and ombudsmen; powers of attorney and other legal
and personal planning tools; peer support; support for self-advocacy;
non-formal community caregiver networks; dialogue systems; alternate
communication methods, such as non-verbal, sign, augmentative, and
manual communication; and the use of assistive devices and technology
• Section 26. Mental Health Promotion and Policies in the
Workplace. Employers shall develop appropriate policies and
programs on mental health in the workplace designed to raise
awareness on mental health issues, correct the stigma and
discrimination associated with mental health conditions,
identify and provide support for individuals at risk, and
facilitate access of individuals with mental health conditions to
treatment and psychosocial support.
SESSION 2: Prepare OSH Requirements
for Compliance
Key Topics and Learning Points
1. Risks assessments
2. Safe Handling Procedures of Tools, Equipment and
Materials
Risk assessments - identifying and taking sensible and proportionate measures
to control the risks in the workplace, not about creating huge amounts of
paperwork.
1. Identify the hazards
2. Identify who might be harmed
3. Evaluate the risks
4. Record the findings
5. Regularly review the risk assessment
The greatest hazards in using hand tools are misuse and improper maintenance.
For power tools, there is the danger of electrical burns and shock.
Follow safety rules when handling hand or power tools, machinery and
equipment.
 Key Facts 7.7: Apply Appropriate Safety Measures in the Workplace

Risk assessments: process of identifying potential hazards and deciding whether

you are taking reasonable steps to prevent that hazard. Steps:
1. Identify the hazards: The first step is to accurately identify the potential
hazards in the workplace. An unidentified hazard cannot be controlled!
✓ Employers in conjunction with their workers can start by walking around the
workplace and thinking about any hazards. In other words, what is it about the
activities, processes or substances used that could injure workers or harm their
health?
Classes of Hazard: Remember these from NC 1 and the last session!
Hazards are classified into five different types. They are:
▪ Physical - includes floors, stairs, work platforms, steps, ladders, fire, falling
objects, slippery surfaces, manual handling (lifting, pushing, pulling), excessively
loud and prolonged noise, vibration, heat and cold, radiation, poor lighting,
ventilation, air quality
▪ Mechanical and/or electrical - includes electricity, machinery, equipment,
pressure vessels, dangerous goods, fork lifts, cranes, hoists
▪ Chemical - includes chemical substances such as acids or poisons and those that
could lead to fire or explosion, like pesticides, herbicides, cleaning agents, dusts
and fumes from various processes such as welding
▪ Biological - includes bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, insects, vermin, animals
▪ Psychosocial environment - includes workplace stressors arising from a variety
of sources.
2. Identify who might be harmed: Think about how workers (or
others who may be present such as contractors or visitors) might be
harmed. Workers’ input is necessary as they may notice or have
experienced things that are not obvious and may have some good ideas
on how to control the risks.
✓ For each hazard employers need to be clear about who might be
harmed – it will help them identify the best way of controlling the risk.
That doesn’t mean listing everyone by name, but rather identifying
groups of workers/people (e.g. ‘people working in the storeroom’ or
‘passers-by’).
3. Evaluate the risks: Having identified the hazards, organizations and
businesses then have to decide how likely it is that harm will occur, i.e., the
level of risk and what to do about it. Risk is a part of everyday life but we
need to try and reduce risks in the workplace.
✓ Identify the main risks and the things needed to do to manage them
responsibly.
4. Record the findings: It is good practice if workers make a record of their
significant findings – the hazards, how people might be harmed by them and
what is in place to control the risks. Any record produced should be clear,
practical and focused on control measures. Keep it simple!
5. Regularly review the risk assessment: Few workplaces stay the same. Sooner or later, it
will bring in new equipment, substances and procedures that could lead to new hazards. So it
makes sense to review what is being done an ongoing basis. Consider the following questions:
✓ Have there been any significant changes?
✓ Are there improvements still needed to be made?
✓ Have workers spotted a problem?
✓ Have we learnt anything from accidents or near misses?
Management must make sure the risk assessment stays up to date.
In addition to doing risk assessments, providing the following will contribute to making the
workplace a safer place:
• Training and information
• Supervision
• First Aid
• Safety signs
 NC I Review of Safety Tips for Hand and Power Tools
Hand Tools:
✓ Wear appropriate PPE such as safety goggles and gloves.
✓ Choose the right tool for the job – don’t substitute! (e.g. Don’t use a screwdriver
in place of a pry bar).
✓ Inspect tools before each use to make sure they are in good condition – make
sure tools meant to be sharp are not dull; don’t use damaged tools.
✓ Repair damaged tools before using them.
✓ Don’t use broken or damaged tools, dull cutting tools, or screwdrivers with worn
tips.
✓ Cut in a direction away from your body.
✓ Make sure your grip and footing are secure when using large tools. .
✓ Carry tools securely in a tool belt or box. Don’t carry tools up ladders.
Use a hoist or rope.
✓ Never carry sharp or pointed tools such as a screwdriver in your pocket.
✓ Keep close track of tools when working at heights. A falling tool can kill
a coworker.
✓ Pass a tool to another person by the handle; never toss it to them.
✓ Use the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job. Follow
company instructions for selecting and using safety eyewear, steel-toed
shoes, gloves, hard hats, etc.
✓ Keep the workplace floor and general area clean and dry to avoid
slipping or tripping while carrying or using tools.
Power Tools:
✓ Wear appropriate PPE such as safety goggles and gloves.
✓ Keep workplace floors clean and dry to avoid accidental slips while
using tools.
✓ Never carry a tool by the cord or hose.
✓ Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle.
✓ Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges
✓ Disconnect tools when not using them, before servicing and cleaning
them, and when changing accessories such as blades, bits, and cutters.
✓ Keep all people not involved with the work at a safe distance from the
work area.
✓ Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool.
✓ Avoid accidental starting. Do not hold fingers on the switch button while
carrying a plugged-in tool.
✓ Maintain tools with care; keep them sharp and clean for best performance.
✓ Follow instructions in the user’s manual for lubricating and changing
accessories.
✓ Be sure to keep good footing and maintain good balance when operating power
tools.
✓ Wear proper apparel for the task. Loose clothing, ties, or jewelry can become
caught in moving parts.
✓ Remove all damaged portable electric tools from use and tag them: “Do Not
Use.”
 NC I Review of Safety Tips When Using Equipment and Machinery

✓ Workers should be trained in the use of equipment. Never

hesitate to ask for training.
✓ Keep the work area clean.
✓ Make sure equipment is in good working order (e.g. blades
should be sharp) and has safety guards.
✓ Wear appropriate personal protective gear.
✓ Make sure stationary equipment is anchored to the floor.
✓ Keep hands away from the cutting parts of a machine.
✓ Turn power off when not using the machine.
✓ Do not distract the operator as it could lead to injury.
✓ Wear appropriate clothing that will not get stuck in machines –
no loose clothing or jewelry.
✓ Clean and store equipment and tools after use.
 SESSION 3: Perform Tasks in Accordance with Relevant
OSH Policies and Procedures

 Key Topics and Learning Points 

1. Working safely
2. Safe practices and procedures when on the job: safety for
electricity, fire, lifting and ladder use
3. Compliance to OSH standards and practices
Working Safely Means
 Working in a manner that prevents injury to self and others
 Reporting unsafe conditions
 Participating in health and safety training, as required
 Using and wearing all required protective equipment and devices

 Safety for one is safety for all. One employee acting irresponsibly can endanger
him or herself and put others at risk. Work as a team and promote a culture of
safety in the workplace.
DOLE’s Republic Act No. 11058 ensures a safe and healthful workplace for all
working people by providing them protection against hazards.
 Failure to comply with the OSH standards and practices in the Republic Act No.
11058 will result in fines
.
 Key Facts 7.8: Safe Practices and Procedures when on the Job

Electrical Safety
✓ Always assume that a circuit is energized.
✓ Ensure that workers know how to use the electrical equipment safely.
✓ Make sure enough sockets are available. Check that socket outlets are not
overloaded by using unfused adaptors as this can cause fires.
✓ Ensure there are no trailing cables that can cause people to trip or fall.
✓ Switch off and unplug appliances before cleaning or adjusting them.
✓ Ensure everyone looks for electrical wires, cables or equipment near
where they are going to work and check for signs warning of dangers from
electricity, or any other hazard. Checks should be made around the job, and
remember that electrical cables may be within walls, floors and ceilings
(especially when drilling into these locations) etc.
✓ Make sure anyone working with electricity has sufficient skills,
knowledge and experience to do so. Incorrectly wiring a plug can be
dangerous and lead to fatal accidents or fires.
✓ Inspect tools, power cords, and electrical fittings for damage or wear
prior to each use. Repair or replace damaged equipment immediately.
✓ Stop using equipment immediately if it appears to be faulty – have it checked by a
competent person.
✓ Observe proper maintenance schedules of electrical equipment, loads and wires.
✓ Consider using a residual current device (RCD) between the electrical supply and
the equipment, especially when working outdoors, or within a wet or confined
✓ Do not block access to circuit breakers or fuse boxes.
✓ Do not touch a person or electrical apparatus in the event of an electrical accident.
Always disconnect the current first.
✓ Always use ladders made of wood or other non-conductive materials when
working with or near electricity or power lines.
✓ Adhere to strictly established regulations of the Philippine Electrical Code.
Fire Safety
✓ Think about the risks of fire and explosions from the substances
you use or create in your business and consider how you might remove or
reduce the risks
✓ Keep information about which substances might be flammable
✓ Consider reducing the amount of flammable/explosive substances you
store on site
✓ Keep the area well ventilated, especially if dealing with fumes and
chemicals.
✓ Keep sources of ignition (eg naked flames, sparks) and substances that
burn (eg vapour, dusts) apart
✓ Get rid of flammable/explosive substances safely
✓ Never fight a grease fire with water; water will splash the oil and spread
the flames.
✓ Review your risk assessment regularly
✓ Maintain good housekeeping, e.g. avoid build-up of rubbish, dust or
grease that could start a fire or make one worse
✓ Come up with a fire emergency plan; ensure that everyone knows and
understands it.
✓ Practice fire drills.
✓ Be aware of the whereabouts and use of fire extinguishers.
Lifting Safety
✓ When moving materials manually, attach handles or holders to loads.
✓ Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Hand and forearm protection such as gloves for loads with sharp or rough edges
• Eye protection
• Steel toed safety shoes or boots
• Metal fiber or plastic metatarsal guards to protect the in-step area from impact or
compression.
✓ Use proper lifting techniques (position yourself correctly, lift with your legs, not your
back and set the load down correctly)to prevent injury from oversize loads. Seek help when:
• A load is so bulky that you cannot properly grasp or lift it;
• You cannot see around or over a load or;
• When employees cannot safely handle a load.
✓ Use blocking materials to manage loads safely.
✓ Avoid overloading equipment when moving materials
mechanically.
✓ Basic tips when using a fork lift truck for stacking and storing
materials include: 24
• Center the load on the forks
as close to the mast as possible to avoid tipping or the load falling
• Avoid overloading
• Adjust the load to the lowest position when traveling
Ladder Safety
✓ Ensure ladders are secure and steady before climbing aboard.
✓ Never climb on improvised ladders. Shelves and storage units are poor
substitutes. Don’t be lazy, and find a proper solid ladder.
✓ Don’t let appearances fool you. Railings might appear solid and fixed,
but they might be improperly secured; at least, test them first.
✓ Use safety harnesses if your job includes heights.
✓ Eliminate distractions when working on a roof, scaffold, or other elevated
platform. More than ever, stay focused and alert!
✓ Keep an eye out on the floor to ensure it’s free of obstacles and spills. If it
isn’t, get cleaning!