Module 2: OSH Situation in the Global and Local Levels
Module 2, aims to provide a background on both the local and international OSH situation.
Also, being aware and focusing on the magnitude of work-related accidents, injuries and illness, you will
understand the prevalent conditions that exist which contribute to the accidents and illness at work.
Objectives:
Working on this module should help you:
- articulate a heightened awareness of the OSH situation, both local and international
- identify the problems, issues and challenges associated with OSH conditions in the country
Global OSH figures
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Safe work Introductory Report in 2008 showed
that close to 50% of work-related deaths occur in Asia.
In developing countries, fatality rates are five to six times higher than in industrialized nations
and in developing countries where, every year, around 170,000 agricultural workers and
320,000 people die from exposures to biological risks such as viral, bacterial, insect or animal
related risks.
The latest ILO figures reveal that, “Every 15 seconds, 160 workers have a work-related
accident. Every 15 seconds, a worker dies from a work-related accident or disease.
Every day, 6,300 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases – more
than 2.3 million deaths per year.
Over 337 million accidents occur on the job annually
The safety and health conditions at work are very different between countries, economic sectors
and social groups.
Deaths and injuries take a heavy toll in developing countries, where a large part of the population
is engaged in hazardous activities such as agriculture, fishing and mining.
Philippine Labor and OSH statistics
According to the latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the National Statistics Office (NSO), the
Philippine labor force/ economically active population, which refers to persons 15 years old and
above who are employed or underemployed, totals 38.905M in October 2010.
“Of the estimated 36.0 million employed persons in 2010, more than half (51.8%) were engaged
in services and about one-third (33.2%) were in agriculture. Most of those who worked in the
services sector were into wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and
personal and household goods (19.5% of the total employed).
Of the total employed persons, the laborers and unskilled workers comprised the largest group
(32.3%).
This was followed by farmers, forestry workers and fishermen (16.0%); officials of government
and special interest organizations, corporate executives, managers, managing proprietors and
supervisors (13.8%); and service workers, shop and market sales workers (10.6%). The rest of
the major occupation groups each comprised less than 10 percent ranging from 0.4 percent to 7.7
percent.
Taken in 2007-2008 and released in 2010,
the latest Bureau of Labor and Employment
Statistics (BLES) Integrated Survey (BITS) on
cases of occupational injuries and diseases that
affected private sector establishments covered
6,460 sample non-agricultural
establishments with 20 or more workers. It
has expanded its coverage 65 industries
including building and repairing of ships and
boats (manufacturing industry); bus line
operation (transport, storage and
communications); accounting, bookkeeping
and auditing activities; tax consultancy,
architectural, engineering and related technical
consultancy; call center activities, medical
transcription and related outsourcing activities
(real estate, renting and business activities);
and animated films and cartoons production
(other community, social and personal service
activities) industries.
The BITS results reveal that a total of 44,800 occupational accidents occurred in 4,600 non-
agricultural establishments employing 20 or more workers in 2007, a figure lower by 14.7% than
the 52,515 accidents that affected 4, 824 establishments in 2003.
Occupational injuries resulting from workplace accidents declined by 20.7% from 58,720 in 2003
to 46,570 in 2007.
Contributing factors to occupational accidents and injuries include:
machines
equipment
hand tools
materials
buildings
structures
and chemical substances.
On the other hand, to prevent accidents and promote safety in establishments:
training on the proper handling and correct operation of machines
use of personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions
and carefulness in work
The present local data does not present a total picture of OSH situation in the Philippines because
many companies do not report accidents and injuries.
Data gathering has been problematic because of the following conditions:
o Under reporting of work-related accidents and illnesses.
Rule 1050 of the Philippine Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) requires all
employers to report all work accidents or occupational illnesses resulting to disabling
conditions to the DOLE Regional Office in their area.
o Limited coverage of the OSH information and education and OSHS implementation.
o Inadequate number of trained OSH personnel.
o Absence of strict penalties.
There is no system of fines for violations of the different provisions of the OSHS.
o Weak enforcement of OSH laws
problem is traceable also to the absence of strict penalties on violations of OSH standards.
o Fragmented OSH administration.
There is no central authority to coordinate all OSH efforts.
o Public apathy on OSH concerns.
Most people do not generally pay attention to OSH concerns.
o Low priority on OSH concerns by both management and labor.
The former is more concerned about profit while the latter is with wages and other monetary
benefits.
Emerging issues in OSH
Aside from the problems already identified, participants should also be aware that there are
emerging OSH issues – such as women workers’ issues, OSH and child labor, OSH in the
informal sector, agriculture, in schools and lifestyle diseases such as AIDS and diabetes,
and many others.
Women are often faced with multiple burdens such as performing both the role of a wife and
a mother that may affect her performance at the workplace and add to the stresses that come
with the job.
The use of pesticides in farms is also another issue. Constant exposure of a worker, has
enormous adverse effects his or her health. Workers handling pesticides may even bring
home residues of the chemicals and, affecting their families and the community.
There is also little mechanism on OSH for the informal sector considering that they represent
more than half of the total workforce and is the sector badly in need of OSH information
since they have the tendency to ignore such concerns just to get their daily incomes.
In schools, students are also exposed to hazards such as chemicals and electricity, while
bullying and hazing (both psycho-social issues) are becoming more common. Many school
buildings are also risking themselves.
Although the number of work-related accidents and illnesses has decreased in the recent years
here in the Philippines, cases of occupational injuries and diseases continue to occur. We at the OSHC
subscribe to the principle that “one life lost is one too many.” Everyone must therefore be involved in the
effort to contain OSH concerns to enhance one’s working life. After all, most of us work mainly for
economic purposes - “ang hanap-buhay ay para ikabuhay, hindi para ikamatay.”