Guidelines of Safety and Health on Construction

To safeguard the well-being of construction workers, the public in and around construction sites, and to foster positive employer-employee relationships in the construction industry, the following guidelines are being issued for all concerned parties. These guidelines have been formulated after consulting with stakeholders in the construction industry and taking into account industry practices and relevant government regulations.

refers to an entity authorized by DOLE for occupational safety and health functions, including training, testing, certification, and auditing.

is an individual trained and certified by the Philippine National Red Cross or an accredited organization to administer first aid.

is a person or entity hired by the project owner to oversee the execution of a construction project, distinct from the general constructor or subcontractors.

is an employee tasked by the employer to implement occupational safety and health programs in line with OSHS, in addition to regular duties.

includes emergency, danger, and warning signs in standard colors and sizes, conforming to OSHS specifications.

is a person or organization certified or recognized by the Department of Health to deliver emergency health services on-site, including treatment and transport of injured workers.

has overall supervision over other constructors, receiving instructions from the owner or construction project manager.

assesses the work environment, machinery, work procedures, and safety hazards beyond technical safety inspections.

refers to machinery for construction tasks, such as cranes and bulldozers, with a minimum weight of 1,000 KG and horsepower of 10 HP.

is a condition or practice likely to cause death or serious harm before normal enforcement procedures can address it.

(OSHS)

shall by appropriate orders set and enforce mandatory occupational safety and health standards to eliminate or reduce occupational safety and health hazards in all workplaces and institute new and update existing programs to ensure safe and healthful working conditions in all places of employment.”

shall be solely responsible for the administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health laws, regulations and standards in all establishments and workplaces wherever they may be located

The DOLE, through the Secretary of Labor and Employment, has the exclusive jurisdiction in the preparation of Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) for the Construction Industry including its very enforcement, as provided for by law.

The Secretary of Labor and Employment can delegate authority for enforcing occupational safety standards in construction.

This directive encompasses all activities within the construction industry, including general building construction, general engineering construction, specialty trade construction, and demolition works.

Every construction project shall have a suitable Construction Safety and Health Program, which must be in accordance with these rules, and other orders and issuance issued by the DOLE. The Construction Project Manager, or in his absence, the Project Manager as authorized by the owner,

shall be responsible for compliance with this Section.

Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be in accordance with Rule 1080 of the OSHS. The equivalent cost for the provision of PPE (life span, depreciation, replacement, etc.) shall be an integral part of the project cost.

Oversee the overall management of the OSH Program in coordination with the OSH Committee; ● Frequently monitor and inspect any health or safety aspect of the operation being undertaken with the participation of supervisors and workers; ● Assist Gov’t. Inspectors in the conduct of SH inspection at any time when the work is being performed or during the conduct of accident investigations by providing necessary information and OSH reports as required by the OSH Standards; ● Issue Work Stoppage Order (WSO) when necessary based on the requirements and procedures provided by the OSH standard.

The construction project owner or his duly authorized representative shall provide competent emergency health personnel within the worksite duly complemented by adequate medical supplies, equipment and facilities, based on the total number of workers in the site as indicated below

Construction Safety Signages must be provided to warn the workers and the public of hazards existing in the workplace. Signages shall be posted in prominent positions at strategic locations and, as far as practicable, be in the language understandable to most of the workers employed.

Pre-Construction| The General Constructor must ensure that appropriate certification is obtained from DOLE duly accredited organizations for the following: a. Project site operators must pass TESDA's standard trade test. b. Heavy equipment needs DOLE or recognized organization certification before commissioning.

● Project Manager (or representative) as chairperson ● General Construction Safety and Health Officer ● Construction Safety and Health Officers

● Safety Representatives from each subcontractor ● Doctors, Nurses, and other Health Personnel ● Worker’s representatives (minimum of 3)

A detailed safety and health information system is included in the guidelines. These include orientation, instructions, and training for workers; means of conveying safety related information to all workers and specialized instructions and training for specialty workers and operators.

All safety personnel assigned within the construction sites are required to undergo the basic construction safety training course prescribed by the Bureau of Working Conditions.

The monthly submission of summary reports to DOLE is required. The summary reports shall include safety committee meeting agreements, accident investigation reports, and hazard assessments with corresponding remedial action/ measures required.

A skills certificate shall be required for construction related occupations which have been classified as “Critical Occupations” by TESDA.

The employer shall provide for adequate supply of safe drinking water, adequate sanitary and washing facilities in order to ensure humane conditions of work.

The total cost of implementing a Construction Safety and Health Program shall be a mandatory integral part of a construction project as a separate pay item, duly quantified and reflected in the project's bid tender documents and likewise reflected in the project's construction contract documents.

All provisions of other existing occupational safety and health guidelines consistent with the above Guidelines shall form part of this Department Order. If any provision of this Guidelines is declared invalid by the competent authority, the rest of the provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

In case construction contractors break these rules, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) can report their findings to the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). If a violation occurs, as determined by DOLE after due process shall be considered as prima facie case of a construction malperformance of grave consequence under R.A. 4566 (Constructors' Licensing Law)

The Guidelines shall be immediately effective, that is, 15 days after publication in newspapers of general circulation, as provided in Article 5 of the Labor Code. This Department Order was signed on July 23, 1998 and published on August 1, 1998 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.