QuestionsQuestions (DOLE DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 73-05)
DOLE Department Order No. 73-05 was issued pursuant to Executive Order No. 187 (CUP). Its purpose is to provide guidelines for implementing the TB Prevention and Control Policy and Program specifically in private workplaces.
It applies to all establishments, workplaces, and worksites in the private sector.
Yes. Under Section B(1), it is mandatory for all private establishments to formulate and implement a TB prevention and control policy and program.
It must be made an integral part of the enterprise’s occupational safety and health and other related workplace programs, overseen by a workplace health and safety committee.
Management and labor representatives must jointly develop the TB workplace policy and program aligned with EO 187 and the CUP.
As much as possible, it should be included as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Among others: prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, compensation, restoration to work, and social policies.
Programs on TB Advocacy, Education and Training, and measures to improve workplaces must be carried out in all workplaces, including TB awareness dissemination, worker information on strengthening immune response, and workplace condition improvements.
They should address the nature, frequency and transmission of TB, treatment with DOTS, and control and management of TB in the workplace.
DOTS is a TB control strategy composed of five components: (1) political will/commitment; (2) case detection via sputum-smear microscopy among symptomatic patients; (3) standard short-course chemotherapy using 6–8 month regimens for confirmed active TB cases with complete drug taking through direct observation; (4) regular uninterrupted supply of essential anti-TB drugs and materials; and (5) standard recording and reporting system for assessment of outcomes and program performance.
Workplaces must provide adequate and appropriate ventilation consistent with DOLE-OSHS (Rule 1076.01) and have adequate sanitary facilities for workers.
Yes. The number of workers in a work area shall not exceed the required number for a specified area and must observe OSHS standards for space requirement (OSHS Rule 1062).
They must adopt DOTS in the management of workers with TB and their dependents, with TB case finding, case holding, reporting, and recording in accordance with the CUP and the National TB Program (NTP).
At the minimum, establishments must refer workers and family members with TB to private or public DOTS centers.
They must report all diagnosed TB cases to DOLE using an appropriate form (Annual Medical Report) as part of the DOH TB Registry. Additionally, SSS must report members who applied for Disability Benefit for TB to PhilCAT or other designated entity managing the National TB Data Base, which shares data with DOLE/OSHC.
They must not be discriminated against; they should be supported with adequate diagnosis and treatment. They are entitled to work as long as certified by the company’s accredited health provider as medically fit and should be restored to work as soon as their illness is controlled.