DOLE intensifies occupational safety and health in workplaces

By Erma Edera, Manila Bulletin, Feb 27, 2019

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) intensified its zero-accident program in workplaces and called on the enterprises to join the government in enhancing social accountability.

Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione underscored to intensify the OSH advocacy programs during the launch of the nationwide search for occupational safety and health (OSH) champions.

The search for OSH champions, dubbed Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK), is on its 11th year.

“We take on the leverage of championing zero-accident accomplishments in order to raise the bar not just on work safety, but more importantly, in our duty to promote social accountability,” Dione said.

The biennial search, implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), is given to establishments and individuals across the country with outstanding OSH practices, programs, innovations, and contributions.

It aims to encourage institutions to implement safety, health, and environment programs, and in the process, achieve productivity and zero accident in their workplaces.

Applications are open to private companies that are compliant with the General Labor and Occupational Safety and Health Standards based on DOLE Inspection results.

Other entities that may be nominated are government offices, micro-enterprises, informal sector, and DOLE-accredited OSH professionals like practitioners and consultants.

The four categories under the search include the private sector-industry, public sector-local government offices, microenterprise/informal sector, and an individual.

The GKK is in line with the OSHC’s Vision 1 Million Program which aims to develop OSH Champions and advocates to improve the efficiency of OSH policies and programs and strengthen the culture of safety and health in the Philippines.