Duties and Authorities of the Secretary and Local Government Unit
- Secretary of Health formulates policies, standards, and guidelines on workers' health and environmental hazards.
- Authority to issue, review, revise TLVs, and require control measures for industrial pollutants and hazards.
- Provides technical assistance and enforcement authority including suspension and closure of establishments.
- Local health authorities appoint health officers who enforce sanitary codes and issue permits locally.
- Local Health Officer inspects, issues sanitary permits, coordinates with agencies, and reports annually.
Responsibilities of Employers, Employees, and Health and Safety Committee
- Employers to provide hazard controls, PPE, occupational health services, and support safety committees.
- Employees must use PPE, report hazards, and participate in safety programs and required medical exams.
- Company health and safety committees develop and review health and safety plans, meetings, and emergency preparedness.
Sanitary Permit Application, Renewal, Issuance, and Revocation
- New establishments must apply and pass inspection before operation.
- Annual renewal required by January 20; late renewals face penalties.
- Inspections by health teams determine compliance; sanitary permits issued only if compliant.
- Revocation follows non-compliance after notice-hearing and repeated sanitary orders; motion for reconsideration allowed.
- Fees imposed per local ordinances; penalties for violations.
Operational Requirements for Industrial Establishments
- Sanitary Facilities: Adequate potable water, sewerage, septic tanks, and effluent disposal complying with environmental standards.
- Facilities include toilets, restrooms, mess halls, and bathing areas with detailed ratios based on workforce size.
- Workrooms and equipment must be clean; adherence to zoning laws for industrial locations.
Environmental Control Measures
- Physical hazards like noise, vibration, heat/cold, illumination, radiation, ventilation, and exhaust system requirements.
- Chemical hazards controlled through substitution, ventilation, PPE, and safety education.
- Biological hazards managed with PPE and disease transmission control.
- Ergonomics to prevent musculo-skeletal stresses; guidelines on lifting weights.
- Monitoring and measurement of workplace hazards done regularly with records kept.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standards and Use
- PPE mandatory when engineering/administrative controls insufficient.
- PPE must be approved, suitable, and provided free by employer.
- Detailed requirements for eye, respiratory, head, hand, hearing, and body protection.
- Standards reference American National Standards for design and use.
Occupational Health Services Provision
- Coverage extends to all industrial establishments.
- Functions include risk assessment, health surveillance, advice on work conditions, emergency services, and health education.
- Structure of occupational health services outlined by establishment size and hazard level.
- Emergency health services specified: minimum medicines, clinic requirements, and personnel depending on workforce size.
- Contractual limitations on occupational health personnel and service providers.
- Training, qualification requirements, and refresher courses mandated for health personnel.
Duties of Health Personnel
- Occupational health physicians responsible for health program administration, environment monitoring, care, record keeping, and advisory roles.
- Dentists provide comprehensive oral health exams, treatments, referrals, health education, and service coordination.
- Nurses support nursing care, health exams, and reporting.
- First-aiders give immediate care and assist in programs.
- Occupational health practitioners advise employers and perform inspections.
Occupational Health Program Requirements
- Programs to assess worker fitness, protect from hazards, provide care, promote health maintenance and nutrition.
- Includes regular workplace appraisals, medical exams, treatment, immunization, health education, and nutrition plans with records confidentiality emphasized.
Physical Examinations and Medical Surveillance
- Pre-employment, periodic/annual, transfer, return-to-work, special, and separation examinations required.
- Examinations are free, thorough, and confidential.
- Classification of fitness for work and specific requirements such as x-rays and biochemical monitoring detailed.
- Procedures for handling unfit workers and transfers.
Penal Provisions
- Violations punishable by imprisonment up to 6 months, fines up to P1,000, or both.
- Interfering with enforcement personnel or damaging notices also penalized.
- Operating without a sanitary permit subject to penalties.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalidity of any part does not affect the rest.
- Inconsistent rules repealed or amended.
Effectivity
- Rules take effect 15 days after publication in official gazette or newspaper of general circulation.