Question & AnswerQ&A (DOLE DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 132-13)
The Guidelines apply to all Philippine Registered Ships on domestic and international voyages where an employer-employee relationship or other forms of engagement exist, excluding warships, naval auxiliaries, government ships not engaged in commercial operations, and fishing vessels.
Shipowners must ensure work onboard does not endanger seafarers’ health and safety, adopt procedures to prevent risks, provide health and safety education in a language understood by seafarers, and ensure the Safety and Health Officer receives appropriate training.
A seafarer is any person employed or engaged or working in any capacity on board Philippine registered ships.
The Safety and Health Officer must hold a Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Certificate issued by DOLE or an accredited organization and have approved training in first aid and medical care as required by STCW.
The lighting levels must meet these minimums: 100 lux for slight detail discrimination areas, 200 lux for moderate detail discrimination areas, and 300 lux for close detail discrimination areas; emergency lighting must be automatic during power failures.
Containers with hazardous substances must be labeled according to the Globally Harmonized System with trade and chemical names, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and manufacturer identity; Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be available for seafarers' information.
Shipowners must submit reports of accidents, occupational diseases, and hazardous occurrences to DOLE with specific timelines for fatal or permanent total disability cases (within 24 hours) and other accidents (before the 20th day of the following month) and keep detailed records for investigation.
The Guidelines require implementation of Occupational Health Programs that include medical examinations, preventive health services, adequate medical care onboard and ashore, training of Safety and Health Officers in medical care, and maintenance of medicine chests and medical records.
Violations are subject to penalties provided under the Labor Code of the Philippines, PD 442 (Labor Code) as amended, and other applicable laws.
The shipowner must develop, implement, and post workplace violence prevention policies and conduct awareness seminars; sexual harassment prevention policies must comply with Republic Act 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act) with duties to prevent, deter, and provide resolution procedures.
Sleeping rooms must not open directly into unsafe areas, must have minimum floor areas depending on number of occupants (e.g., 7 square meters for two persons in non-passenger ships under 3,000 GT), adequate ventilation, and minimum headroom of 203 centimeters where free movement is necessary; separate rooms for men and women are required.
The shipowner must provide appropriate PPE at their own expense, ensure PPE is of approved design, properly maintained, and that no person is exposed to hazardous conditions without proper protection.
Fire protection equipment must be installed and maintained in accordance with PMMRR and international conventions; emergency evacuation and abandon ship procedures must be prepared, posted conspicuously, and seafarers must be trained on their use and the location of fire protection equipment.
Entry into confined spaces requires a work permit; if hazardous substances may be produced, ventilation is mandatory, and seafarers must use respiratory protective devices or breathing apparatus.
Safe clearance for mechanical equipment, proper manual load handling training, secure and stable storage of materials, and housekeeping to prevent tripping, fire, explosion hazards with surfaces kept free from slippery substances.