AN ACT STRENGTHENING COM-

PLIANCE
WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
AND
HEALTH STANDARDS AND PRO-
VIDING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF
(RA 11058) and IRR (DOLE DO 198 –
18)
Section 3 - DEFINITION OF
TERMS
“Competency Stan-
dards” – refers to indus-
try-determined specifi-
cation of proficiency re-
“Certified first-aider” – quired for effective work “Covered Workplaces” –
refers to any person performance. refers to establishments,
trained and duly certi- projects, sites and all
fied to administer first other places where work
aid by the Philippine Red is being undertaken
Cross (PRC) or any orga- wherein the number of
nization authorized by employees, nature of op-
the Secretary of Labor erations and risk or haz-
and Employment. ard involved in the busi-
ness require compliance
DEFINITION OF TERMS

“Low risk establishment” “Medium risk establishment” refers to a

refers to a workplace where workplace where there is moderate
there is low level of danger exposure to safety and health hazards and
or exposure to safety and health with probability of an accident, injury or
hazards and not likely or with illness, if no preventive or control measures
low probability to result in are in place.
accident, harm or injury, or
illness. “High risk establishment” refers to a
workplace wherein the presence of
hazard or potential hazard within the
company may affect the safety and/or
health of workers not only within but
also persons outside the premises of
the workplace (e.g. construction,
mining, petrochemical, etc.)
DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following are workplaces
commonly associated 11. Power generation, transmission and
with potentially high-risk distribution in the energy sector;
activities:
12. Storage and distribution center for
1. Chemical works and chemical toxic or hazardous chemicals;
production plants; 13. Storage of fertilizers in high volume;
2. Construction; 14. Transportation ;
3. Deep sea fishing; 15. Water supply, sewerage, waste
4. Explosives and pyrotechnics management, remediation activities;
factories; 16. Works in which chlorine is used in bulk;
5. Firefighting; and
6. Healthcare facilities; 17. Activities closely similar to those
7. Installation of communication enumerated above and other activities
accessories, towers and cables;
8. LPG filling, refilling, storage and as determined by DOLE in accordance
distribution; with existing issuances on the
9. Mining; classification of establishments.
10. Petrochemical works and refineries  
DEFINITION OF TERMS
“Safety officer” – refers to any employee
or officer of the company trained by the
DOLE or DOLE-Accredited Training Or-
ganization and tasked by the employer
to implement an OSH program in accor-
dance to OSHS
“Safety Officer 2 (SO2)” refers to an
employee who has completed the
mandatory forty (40)-hour OSH
training course applicable to the
industry as prescribed in the OSH
“Safety Officer 1 (SO1)” refers to an standards.
employee who has completed the manda-  
tory
eight (8)-hour OSH orientation course as
prescribed in the OSH standards.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Safety Officer 4 (SO4) refers to an employee who
“Safety Officer 3 (SO3)” refers to an has completed the mandatory forty (40)-hour OSH
employee who has completed the training course applicable to the industry,
mandatory forty (40)-hour OSH additional eighty (80) hours of advanced/specialized
training course applicable to the occupational safety training course relevant to the
industry, additional forty-eight (48) industry, an aggregate of three hundred twenty (320)
hours of advanced/specialized hours of OSH related training or experience, an actual
occupational safety training experience as SO3 for at least four (4) years, and other
course relevant to the industry, requirements as prescribed by the OSH standards.
relevant experience in OSH for Additional training may be converted to years of
at least two (2) years, and other experience where eighty (80) hours of training may
requirements as prescribed in the equal to one (1) year of experience and vice versa.
OSH standards. Qualified SO 3 Qualified SO4 shall be eligible for certification
shall be eligible for certification as as OSH consultant.
OSH practitioner.
 
DEFINITION OF TERMS

“Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

practitioner” refers to a qualified
Safety Officer 3 or its equivalent, duly
certified by DOLE to render
occupational safety and health services
in a defined and specific scope or core
competency.

“Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) consultant”

refers to a qualified Safety Officer 4 or its equivalent,
duly certified by DOLE to perform and/or render
consultative services on occupational safety and
health in at least two (2) fields of specialization as
determined by DOLE.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
“Worker” refers to any
member of the labor
force, regardless of “Workers’ OSH Seminar” refers
employment status. to the mandatory eight (8)-
hour module conducted by the
safety officer of the workplace
as prescribed by the OSH
standards.
Section 5 - WORKERS’ RIGHT TO
KNOW
Information materials used pursuant to this Section shall be
made readily available and accessible to workers.

New-hired workers shall be provided instructions, orienta-

tions and trainings  prior to start of work. The instructions,
orientations, and trainings shall be properly documented by
the employer, and shall be included in the permanent records
of the worker in the establishment.
 
The workers’ OSH seminar and other trainings/orientations
as required by the employer and by any law shall be at no
cost  on the worker and considered as compensable working
time.
Section 6 - WORKERS’ RIGHT TO
REFUSE TO
UNSAFE WORK
The worker has the right of refusal to work without threat
or reprisal from the employer if, as determined by the DOLE,
an imminent danger situation exists.

The employer or safety officer cannot require the workers

to return to work where there is continuing imminent
danger to life or health.

Workers affected by the existence of an imminent

danger situation may be temporarily assigned to other areas
within the workplace provided there is no impending issue
with safety and health.
 
Section 7 - WORKERS’ RIGHT TO
REPORT
ACCIDENTS
Workers and their representatives shall have
the right to report accidents, dangerous occur-
rences, and hazards to the employer, to the
DOLE and to other concerned government
agencies exercising jurisdiction as the compe-
tent authority in the specific industry or eco-
nomic activity. There shall be no retaliation
from the part of the employer pursuant to the
reporting of any accident.
Section 8 - WORKERS’ RIGHT TO PER-
SONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
The cost of the PPE shall be part of the safety
and health program which is a separate pay
item pursuant to Section 20 of this Rules.

All PPE shall be of the appropriate type as

tested and approved by the DOLE based on its
standards. The usage of PPE in all establish-
ments, projects, sites and all other places
where work is being undertaken shall be
based on the evaluation and recommendation
of the safety officer.
Section 12 - OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH
PROGRAM
Covered workplaces shall develop and implement a suitable OSH
program which shall be posted in prominent places. Covered
workplaces shall be guided by a format prescribed by DOLE.

For with less than ten workers and low risk establishments with
ten (10) to fifty (50) workers. – The OSH program, which shall be duly
signed by the employer, must include at
least the following:

For medium to high risk establishments with ten (10) to fifty (50)
workers and low to high risk establishments with fifty-one (51) workers
and above. – The OSH program, which shall be duly signed by the
employer, must include at least the following:
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH
PROGRAM
The OSH program shall be communicated and be made readily
available to all persons in the workplace. It shall be updated
periodically whenever the DOLE, other regulatory or government
agencies and institutions promulgate new rules, guidelines and
other issuances related to workers’ safety and health.

The company shall ensure that the core elements of OSH program
are integrated in the company OSH program such as management
commitment and employee involvement, workplace risk
assessment, hazard prevention and control, safety and health
training and education, and OSH program evaluation.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH
PROGRAM
The company shall submit a copy of the OSH program to
the DOLE Regional, Provincial, Field or Satellite Office
having jurisdiction over the workplace. A duly signed
company commitment to comply OSH requirements
together with the company OSH program using the
prescribed template shall be considered approved upon
submission EXCEPT for Construction Safety and Health
Program (CSHP) which shall need approval by DOLE prior
to construction.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH
PROGRAM
OSH programs in the pre-approved template may be
modified by DOLE as necessary based on existing laws,
rules and regulations, and other issuances or upon
validation of the program during inspection. If there
is a modification made by the company, the company
shall submit a revised copy of the OSH program to
DOLE.
 
The company shall review and evaluate the OSH
program at least once a year or as necessary, to ensure
that its objectives are met towards an improved safety
and health performance.
Section 13 - OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY AND
HEALTH COMMITTEE
To ensure that the safety and health program is observed and en-
forced, a Safety and Health Committee shall be organized in covered
workplaces.
For establishments with less than ten workers and low risk
establishments with ten (10) to fifty (50) workers. – A SO1
shall establish an OSH committee composed of the follow-
ing:
Chairperson : Company owner or manager
Secretary   Safety Officer of the workplace
Member : At least one (1) worker
 
The company owner or manager or one of the workers of the company shall
undertake a first aid training from the Philippine Red Cross or any DOLE
recognized organization.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
COMMITTEE
For medium to high risk establishments with ten (10) to fifty
(50) workers and low to high risk establishments with fifty-one
(51) workers and above. – The OSH committee of the covered
workplace shall be composed of the following:
Ex-officio chairperson : Employer or his/her representative
Secretary : Safety officer of the workplace
Ex-officio members : Certified first-aider, OH nurse, OH dentist, and
OH physician, as applicable
Members : Safety officers representing the contractor or
subcontractor, as the case may be, and representative/s
of workers who shall come from the union, if the
workers are organized, or elected workers through a
simple vote of majority, if they are unorganized
 
The OSH committee shall effectively plan, develop, oversee
and monitor the implementation of the OSH program.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
COMMITTEE
For two (2) or more establishments housed under one building or
complex including malls. – Establishments housed under one
building or complex shall have its own respective OSH committee.
A Joint OSH committee shall be initiated and created by the
building owner or building administrator and shall plan, develop
and implement programs and activities for all establishments in
said building or complex on OSH with the following composition:
Chairperson : Building owner or his/her representative such as the building
administrator
Secretary : Safety officer of the building or complex appointed by the
Chairperson
Members : At least two (2) safety officers from any of the establishment housed
under one building or complex
At least two (2) workers’ representatives, one of which must be from a
union if organized, from any of the establishment housed under one
building or complex
The building administrator shall ensure that the Joint OSH committee shall submit
its organizational plans and minutes to the DOLE Regional office, copy furnished
the Bureau of Working Conditions.
Section 14 - SAFETY OFFI-
CER
In the implementation of OSH program, the required safety officers shall
be employed or designated with the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) Oversee the overall management of the OSH program
in coordination with the OSH committee;
(b) Frequently monitor and inspect any health or safety aspect
of the operation being undertaken with the participation
of supervisors and workers;
(c) Assist government inspectors in the conduct of safety and
health inspection at any time whenever work is being
performed or during the conduct of an accident investigation
by providing necessary information and OSH reports as
required by the OSH standards; and
(d) Issue Work Stoppage Order (WSO) when necessary based on
the requirements and procedures provided by the OSH standards.
SAFETY OFFICER
Safety officer/s of all workplace must possess the necessary training and
experience requirement according to its category as contained herein.
The respective qualifications of safety officers are as follows:

Category Prescribed Training on OSH Minimum OSH

Experience

Safety Officer 1 (SO1) Mandatory eight (8)-hour OSH -

orientation course and
Two (2) - hour trainers’ training
Safety Officer 2 (SO2) Mandatory forty (40)-hour basic -
OSH training course applicable to
the industry
 SAFETY OFFICER
Category Prescribed Training on OSH Minimum
OSH
Experience
Safety Officer 3 a. Mandatory forty (40)-hour basic At least two
(SO3) OSH training course applicable (2)
to years of
the industry; experience in
b. Additional forty-eight (48) hours OSH
of advanced/specialized
occupational safety training
course relevant to the industry;
AND
c. Other requirements as
prescribed by the OSH standards.
SAFETY OFFICER
Category Prescribed Training on OSH Minimum OSH
Experience
Safety Officer 4 a. Mandatory forty (40)-hour OSH training Actual experience
(SO4) course applicable to the industry; as SO3 for at least
b. Additional eighty (80) hours of advanced/ four (4) years
specialized occupational safety training
course relevant to the industry;
c. An aggregate of three hundred twenty
(320) hours of OSH related training or
experience (additional training may be
converted to years of experience where
eighty [80] hours of training may equal to
one [1] year of experience and vice versa.);
AND
d. Other requirements as prescribed by the
OSH standards.
TRAINING FOR OH PER-
SONNEL
First-Aider : Standard first aid training
 
OH Nurse : At least forty (40)-hour Basic OSH training course
for OH Nurses

OH Dentist : At least forty (40)-hour Basic OSH training course

OH Physician : At least fifty-six (56)-hour Basic OSH training

course for OH Physicians
SAFETY OFFICER
Minimum classification and number of safety officer for
all covered workplaces shall be as follows:

Number of Workers Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk

1 to 9 One (1) SO1 One (1) SO1 One (1) SO2
10 to 50 One (1) SO1 One (1) SO3
One (1) SO2
51 to 99
One (1) SO2 and
One (1) SO2 One (1) SO2 and One (1)
100 to 199 One (1) SO3
SO3
One (1) SO2 and
Two (2) SO2 or
200 to 250 One (1) Two (2) SO3
One (1) SO3
SO3
Two (2) SO2 and One (1) SO2 and
251 to 500 One (1) Two (2) SO3 Two (2)
SO3 SO3
SAFETY OFFICER
Number of
Workers Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk
Two (2) SO2
One (1) SO2
501 to 750 and
Two (2) SO3 and
One (1) SO3
Two (2) SO3
751 to 1000 Two (2) SO3
Every additional Additional One
250 or fraction - - (1) SO3 or
thereof SO4
Every additional Additional One
Additional One
500 or fraction (1) SO3 or -
(1) SO3
thereof SO4
SAFETY OFFICER

Safety officers engaged in micro and small establishments,

low to medium risk, shall be engaged in safety programs
including other tasks designated to him/her by his/her
employer.
 
In the case of a contractor or subcontractor, at least one
(1) safety officer must be deployed at each specific area of
operations to oversee the management of the OSH
program of its own workforce.
SAFETY OFFICER

The engagement of the services of a certified OSH

consultant (SO4) shall be allowed for a period not
longer than one (1) year for establishments whose
designated safety officer has to be trained or is in
the process of completing the prescribed training
courses and relevant experience.
Section 15 - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PER-
SONNEL
AND FACILITIES
Covered workplaces shall have qualified occupational
health personnel such as certified first-aiders, nurses,
dentists, and physicians duly complemented with the
required medical supplies, equipment and facilities.

The number of health personnel, which may be classified

as full time (FT) or part-time (PT), equipment and facilities,
and the amount of supplies shall be proportionate to the
total number of workers and the risk or hazard involved in
the workplace, the ideal ratio of which shall be as follows:
Section 15 - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PER-
SONNEL
AND FACILITIES Low Risk Medium to High Risk
Number
OH OH
of OH OH First- OH OH
First-Aider Dentist Dentist
Workers Nurse Physician Aider Nurse Physician

1-9 1 - - - 1 - - -
10-50 1 - - - 1 - - -
51-99 1 - - 1 FT 1 PT
1 FT 1 PT and
100-199 1 2 PT
1 FT
1 PT 2 PT
1 for 1 PT and
200-250 2 2 FT and
every 50 1 FT
1 FT
workers 1
1 2 PT
Additional or a   2 PT and
251-500 2 FT   2 PT and
of 1 for fraction 1 FT
1 FT
every 100 thereof
501-750 workers or a - -
3 PT or 1 PT 3 PT and
fraction
751-1000 - and 1 FT - 1 FT
thereof
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSON-
NEL
AND FACILITIES
Number of
Low Risk Medium to High Risk
OH OH OH OH OH OH
Workers First-Aider First-Aider
Nurse Dentist Physician Nurse Dentist Physician
2 PT,
2 PT and
1 FT, and
1 FT DOLE
1 FT DOLE
1001-2000 - Certified -
1 for Certified
OSH
Additional every 50 OSH
practitioner
of 1 for 1 workers or 1 practitioner
every 100 4 PT  and a fraction 2 FT and
workers or 1 FT DOLE thereof 1 FT DOLE
> 2000 a fraction - Certified - Certified
thereof OSH OSH
practitioner practitioner
Every 250
workers or a - - - - 1 FT - 1 FT or 4 PT
fraction thereof
Every 500
workers or a - 1 FT - 1 FT or 4 PT - - - -
fraction thereof
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSON-
NEL
AND FACILITIES
PT = 4h/d, 3d/w; FT = 8h/d, 6d/w
OH personnel shall be placed
in shift with the highest number of workers
For OH dentists: Alternatively, establishments can enter into a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for dental services for
workers; provided that the requirements for dental facilities are
met.

For OH physicians: If more than 1 PT physician is required,

a physician must be present in all work days of the
establishment.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSON-
NEL
AND FACILITIES
Low Risk Medium to High Risk
Number of Clinic Clinic
Workers First aid First
(number of (number of
treatment room treatment room
beds) beds)
1-9 - 1 -
10-50 1 - 1 -
51-99 2 1
1
100-199
200-250 2
Additional 1 for 2 Additional 1 for
251-500
501-750 every 100 every 50
Additional 1 for Additional 1 for
751-1000 workers or a workers or a
every 200 every 100
1001-2000 fraction thereof fraction thereof
workers or a workers or a
> 2001 fraction thereof fraction thereof
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSON-
NEL
AND FACILITIES
The employer may not establish an emergency hospital or
dental clinic in the workplace where there is a hospital or dental
clinic which is located not more than five (5) kilometers away
from the workplace, accessible in not more than twenty-five (25)
minutes travel time, and the employer has facilities readily
available for transporting workers to the hospital or clinic in
cases of emergency. For this purpose, the employer shall enter
into a written contract with the hospital or dental clinic for the
use of such hospital or dental clinic for the treatment of workers
in cases of emergency. However, this shall not excuse the
employer from maintaining in his/her workplace a first aid
treatment room or clinic for workers which shall be as follows:
Section 21 - COST OF SAFETY AND
HEALTH
PROGRAM
The total cost of implementing a
duly approved OSH program shall be
an integral part of the operations
cost. It shall be a separate pay item
in construction and in all contracting
or subcontracting arrangement.
Section 23 - VISITORIAL POWER OF
THE
SECRETARY OF LABOR AND EM-
PLOYMENT
Department Order No. 183, Series of 17 and the manual on
execution of judgments shall govern the procedures in the
conduct of inspection, mandatory conference, issuance of
order and execution thereof.
 
A mandatory conference not later than 72 hours shall be held
to determine whether the WSO will be lifted or not.

Imminent danger - One (1) day

PPE - Three (3) days
Others - Not exceeding Ninety (90) days based
on the approved action plan
 
Section 28 - PROHIBITED ACTS AND
ITS
CORRESPONDING
Should there be two (2) PENALTIES
or more non-compliances, all
penalties shall be imposed; provided the total daily
penalty shall not exceed one hundred thousand pesos
(₱ 100,000.00).

The penalties shall be computed on a per day basis until full

compliance reckoned from the date of the notice of
violation or service of the compliance order to the employer.

The Regional Director shall, after due notice and hearing impose
the appropriate administrative fines taking into consideration
the damage or injury caused and risk involved including the
severity and frequency of the OSH violations and size of the
establishment
 
PROHIBITED ACTS AND ITS
CORRESPONDING PENALTIES
Any willful failure or refusal of an employer, contractor or
subcontractor to comply with the following OSH standards below or
with a compliance order issued by the Secretary of Labor and
Employment or his/her authorized representative shall be
penalized of the administrative fines as follows:
 
Registration of establishment to DOLE ₱20,000.00
Provision of job safety instruction or orientation prior to work ₱20,000.00
Provide worker’s training (first aid, mandatory workers training, ₱25,000.00
mandatory OSH training for safety officers and health personnel)
Provision of safety signage and devices ₱30,000.00

Provision of medical supplies, equipment and facilities ₱30,000.00

Submission of reportorial requirements as prescribed by OSH ₱30,000.00

standards
PROHIBITED ACTS AND ITS
CORRESPONDING PENALTIES
Provision of safety officer and/or OH personnel ₱40,000.00
Provision of certified personnel or professionals required by OSH ₱40,000.00
standards
Establishment of a safety and health committee ₱40,000.00
Formulation and implementation of a comprehensive safety and  
health program
₱40,000.00
Provide information on hazards and risk (absence of chemical safety  
data sheet, no written SOP in materials handling, lifting etc., no
₱40,000.00
permitting system for confined spaces/hot works, no lock-out/tag-out
system etc.)
Provide sanitary and welfare facilities ₱40,000.00
Use of approved or certified devices and equipment for the task ₱50,000.00
Provision of PPE or charging of provided PPE to workers ₱50,000.00
Compliance with DOLE issued WSO ₱50,000.00
Compliance to other OSH standards ₱40,000.00
PROHIBITED ACTS AND ITS
CORRESPONDING PENALTIES
When the violation exposes the worker to death, serious
injury or serious illness, the imposable penalty shall be One
Hundred Thousand Pesos (₱100,000.00).
 

An employer, contractor or subcontractor who was found to have

repeatedly violated the same prohibited act shall be penalized of
the corresponding fine plus an additional fine equivalent to
fifty percent (50%) thereof for every instance of repeat violation.
PROHIBITED ACTS AND ITS
CORRESPONDING PENALTIES
If any of the following acts is present and there is non-compliance, the penalty of
one hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) administrative fine shall be imposed
separate and in addition to the daily administrative fine imposed above:
1. Repeated obstruction, delay or refusal to provide the Secretary of Labor and
Employment or any of its authorized representatives access to the covered
workplace, or refusal to provide or allow access to relevant records and
documents or obstruct the conduct of investigation of any fact necessary in
determining compliance with OSH standards;
2. Misrepresentation in relation to adherence to OSH standards, knowing such
statement, report or record submitted to DOLE to be false in any material
aspect; or
3. Making retaliatory measures such as termination of employment, refusal to
pay, reducing wages and benefits or in any manner discriminates against any
worker who has given information relative to the inspection being
conducted.
PROHIBITED ACTS AND ITS
CORRESPONDING PENALTIES

Fines collected pursuant to this Rules shall be

utilized for the operation of OSH initiatives
incentivizing qualified employers in
recognition of their efforts towards ensuring
compliance with OSH and general labor
standards, including OSH training and
education and other programs.
Section 33 - EFFECTIV-
ITY

This Rules shall take effect

fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in a newspaper of
general circulation (January 9,
2019 – Philippine Star).