Rule 1000: General Provision

RULE 1000
GENERAL PROVISION

1001: Purpose and Scope:

(1) The objective of this issuance is to protect every workingman against the dangers of injury, sickness or death through safe and healthful working conditions, thereby assuring the conservation of valuable manpower resources and the prevention of loss or damage to lives and properties, consistent with national development goals and with the State’s commitment for the total development of every worker as a complete human being.

(2) This Standards shall apply to all places of employment except as otherwise provided in this Standard.

1002: Definitions:

For purposes of this Standards and except as otherwise indicated, the following shall mean:

(1) “Employer” includes any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer, in relation to an employee, and shall include government-owned or controlled corporations and institutions, as well as non-profit private institutions or organizations.

(2) “Employee” shall mean any person hired, permitted or suffered to work by an employer

(3) “Industrial Enterprise” shall mean any workplace, permanent or temporary, including any building or collection of buildings, shed, structure, yard or any other place, where permanently or temporarily one or more persons are employed in any manufacturing of goods or products processing and any other activity similar and incidental thereto.

(4) “Agricultural Enterprise” shall include forestry and logging operations, farming in all its branches, and among other things, includes cultivation and tillage of the soil, dairying, the production, cultivation, growing and harvesting of any agricultural and horticultural commodities, the raising of livestock and poultry, and any practice performed by a farmer on a farm as an incident to or in conjunction with such farming operations, but does not include the manufacturing or processing of sugar, coconut, abaca, tobacco, pineapple or other farm products.

(5) “Dry Dock” shall include premises where work is performed on shore or on board ships in which ships or vessels are constructed, repaired, refitted, finished or broken up and housed.

(6) “Health” shall connote a sound state of the body and mind of the worker, which enables him to perform his job normally, in a state of well-being.

(7) “Safe or Safety” shall refer to the physical or environmental conditions of work or employment, which substantially comply with the provisions of this Standards.

(8) “Work Accident” shall mean an unplanned or unexpected occurrence that may or may not result in personal injury, property damage, work stoppage or interference or any combination thereof, which arises out of and in the course of employment.

(9) “Work Injury” shall mean any injury or occupational illness suffered by a person, which arises out of or in the course of his employment.

(10)”Occupational Illness” shall mean any illness caused by environmental factors, the exposure to which is characterized or peculiar to a particular process, trade or occupation and to which an employee or worker is not ordinarily subjected to or exposed outside of or away from such employment.

(11)”Recognized Hazards” are those which do not require technical or testing devices to detect.

(12)”Workplace” means the office, premises or work site, where the workers are habitually employed and shall include the office or place where the workers, who have no fixed or definite work site, regularly report for assignment in the course of their employment.

(13)”Approved” shall mean acceptable to the Secretary in writing after proper examination showing compliance with prescribed Standards.

(14)”Code” shall mean the Labor Code P.D. 442 as amended.

(15) “Department” shall mean the Department of Labor and Employment.

(16) “Secretary” shall mean the Secretary of Labor and Employment.

(17) “Bureau” shall mean the Bureau of Working Conditions.

(18)”Director” shall mean the Director of the Bureau of Working Conditions.

(19)”Standards” shall mean the Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

(20)”Enforcement officer” shall mean the industrial safety engineer, the labor regulation officer, or any duly authorized representatives of the Secretary to enforce this Standards.

(21)”Authorized Representative” shall mean and include chartered cities, municipalities, employees or officials of other government agencies empowered by the Secretary of Labor and Employment to enforce the provisions of this Standards.

1003: Administration and Enforcement:

1003.01: Department of Labor and Employment:

(1) The Department of Labor and Employment shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Standards.

(2) Every employer shall give to the Secretary or his duly authorized representative access to its premises and records for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this Standards.

(3) Every establishments or place of employment shall be inspected at least once a year to determine compliance with the provisions of this Standards. Special inspection visits, however, may be authorized by the Regional Labor Office or as authorized under Rule 1980 of this Standards, to investigate accidents, occupational illnesses or dangerous occurrences, especially those resulting in permanent total disability or death, to conduct surveys of working conditions requested by the Bureau for the purpose of evaluating and assessing environmental contaminants and physical conditions or to conduct investigations, inspections or follow-up inspections upon request of an employer, worker or a labor union of the establishment.

(4) The enforcement officer shall determine reasonable periods of compliance with recommendations depending on the gravity of the hazards needing corrections or the period needed to come into compliance with the order.

1003.02: Application to Other Places of Employment When a condition of employment in workplaces not specifically covered by this Standards is the subject of complaints, the provision of this Standards shall apply.

1003.03: Application to Transportation:

Establishments engaged in land, sea and air transportation are not covered except their garages, dry docks, port hangars, maintenance and repair shops.

1003.04: Application to Mines:

The activities of a lessee regarding safety of mining installations, surface or underground, within the mining claim or lease, including mine safety, mineral conservation and problem of pollution in establishments or workplaces falling under “Mining Industry” as classified by the National Economic and Development Authority are not covered by this Standards.

1003.05: Application to Chartered Cities and Municipalities:

The Department of Labor and Employment shall be solely responsible for the administration and enforcement of this Standards in all places of employment except as provided in Rule 1980 of this Standards.

1004: Special Inspection, Investigation and Review:

(1) Any worker or representative of workers or any concerned person who believes that a violation of any provision of this Standards threatens physical harm or imposes imminent danger to life, may request an inspection by giving full particulars or details regarding such violation or danger to the Regional Labor Office or duly authorized representative. If upon appraisal of such notification, the Regional Office or its duly authorized representative finds reasonable ground to believe that a violation has really been committed or danger exists, a special inspection or investigation shall be conducted immediately. The complainant shall be notified in writing of the outcome of such investigation or inspection, immediately upon its completion.

(2) The Secretary of Labor and Employment on his own initiative or on complaints of the workers, shall review any failure or refusal of the Regional Labor Office or duly authorized representative to order compliance or issue recommendation with respect to such complaint or reported violation.

1005: Duties of Employers, Workers and other Persons:

(1) Each employer covered by the provisions of this Standards shall:

a. furnish his workers a place of employment free from hazardous conditions that are causing or are likely to cause death, illness or physical harm to his workers;

b. give complete job safety instructions to all his workers, especially to those entering the job for the first time, including those relating to the familiarization with their work environment, hazards to which the workers are exposed to and steps taken in case of emergency;

c. comply with the requirements of this Standards; and

d. use only approved devices and equipment in his workplace.

(2) Every worker shall cooperate with the employer in carrying out the provisions of this Standards. He shall report to his supervisor any work hazard that may be discovered in his workplace.

(3) Every worker shall make proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished in accordance with the provisions of this Standards for his protection and that of others, and shall follow all instructions given by the employer in compliance with the provisions of this Standards.

(4) It shall be the duty of any person, including any builder or contractor or enforcement agent, who visits, builds, renovates, or installs devices, or conducts business in any establishment or workplace, to comply with the provisions of this Standards and all regulations of the employer issued there under as well as with other subsequent issuances of the Secretary.

1006: Confidentiality of Trade Secrets:

All information reported to or otherwise obtained by the enforcement officer in connection with any inspection or proceedings under this Standards, which contains or might reveal a trade secret, shall be considered confidential except that such information may be revealed in any proceeding where it is required or necessary. The Secretary, the Regional Director or duly authorized representative, shall issue appropriate orders to protect the confidentiality of trade secrets.

Rule 1010: Other Safety Rules

RULE 1010
OTHER SAFETY RULES

1011: Promulgation of Rules:

Safety and health rules may be promulgated, amended, modified, or revoked in the following manner:

(1) The Bureau, on the basis of information submitted in writing by interested parties or on the basis of information available to it, upon determination that a Rule should be promulgated or amended in order to serve the objectives of the Code, shall draft a proposed Rule. Conformably with the principle of tripartism, the Bureau may ask the advice and assistance of individuals and organizations, private or public agencies, particularly recognized workers’ and employers’ organizations, having special knowledge of the proposal under consideration.

(2) The Bureau shall prepare the proposal taking into consideration suggestions and recommendations available.

(3) The Director shall forward the proposal to the Secretary for approval. The Secretary shall within thirty

(30) days from receipt thereof act on the proposal. If rejected, same shall be returned to the Bureau with his reasons. After a reconsideration of the returned proposal, the Director shall resubmit his proposal in the manner herein outlined.

(4) After approval of the proposal by the Secretary, the same shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation and shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of publication and shall become part of this Standards.

1012: Special Rules:

1012.01: Work Conditions or Practices Not Covered by Standards:

Any specific rule applicable to a condition, practice, means, methods, operations or processes shall also apply to other similar work situations for which no specific rule has been established.

1012.02: Abatement of Imminent Danger:

(1) An imminent danger is a condition or practice that could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm before abatement under the enforcement procedures can be accomplished.

(2) When an enforcement officer finds that an imminent danger exists in a workplace, he shall inform the affected employer and workers of the danger and shall recommend to the Regional Director the issuance of an Order for stoppage of operation or other appropriate action for the abatement of the danger.

Pending the issuance of the Order the employer shall take appropriate measures to protect the workers.

(3) Upon receipt of such recommendation, the Regional Director shall immediately determine whether the danger exists and is of such a nature as to warrant the issuance of a Stoppage Order or other appropriate action to minimize the danger.

(4) The Order shall require specific measures that are necessary to avoid, correct or remove such imminent danger and to prohibit the presence of any worker in such location where such danger exists, except those whose presence are necessary to avoid, correct or remove such danger or to maintain a continuous process or operation. Where stoppage of operation is ordered, the Order shall allow such correction, removal or avoidance of danger only where the same can be accomplished in a safe and orderly manner.

(5) Immediately after the issuance of a Stoppage Order, the Regional Director shall furnish the Secretary, through the Director, within forty-eight (48) hours a copy of the Order and all pertinent papers relating thereto, together with a detailed description of the work conditions sought to be corrected, the safety and health rule violated by the employer, and the corrective measures imposed. The Secretary shall review the Order issued by the Regional Director and within a period of not more than five (5) working days, issue a final Order either lifting or sustaining the Order of the Regional Director.

(6) The Order shall remain in effect until danger is removed or corrected.

1012.03: Suspension of Rules:

(1) The Secretary may issue to an employer-applicant a temporary order suspending the effectivity date of a Rule or any part of this Standards for the following reasons:

a. the unavailability of professional or technical personnel or of materials and equipment needed to comply with the rule;

b. necessary construction or alteration of the prescribed facilities cannot be completed on the effectivity date of the rule;

c. the employer is participating in experiments or studies approved or conducted by the Bureau designed to demonstrate new techniques to safeguard the safety and health of workers.

(2) In such a case, the employer-applicant shall establish:

a. the reason why he is applying for a suspension order, specifying the rule or portion he seeks suspension of;

b. that he is taking all available and necessary steps to safeguard his workers against the hazards covered by the rule, and that he is prescribing necessary measures, methods, operations and practices which he must adopt and use while the suspension is in effect;

c. that he has an effective program for coming into compliance with the rule as quickly as possible, specifying a given date for compliance;

d. that he has informed his workers of the application and a copy of the application and reasons thereof have been given to the workers or their duly authorized representative.

(3) The application shall be submitted to the Regional Director or duly authorized representative, as the case may be, who after hearing the workers or their duly authorized representative shall evaluate and recommend action to the Secretary, through the Director. He may issue an interim order to be effective until the suspension order is issued by the Secretary.

(4) The suspension order, including the interim order, shall prescribe the practices, means, methods, operations, or processes which the employer must use and adopt while the order is in effect and while the program for coming into compliance with the rule is being implemented.

(5) The suspension order shall not be in effect longer than the period needed by the employer to come into compliance with the rule, or one year, whichever is shorter, renewable for another year, subject to revocation or shortening of the period by the Secretary, if such is warranted.

1012.04: Variation Order:

(1) If there shall be practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship in complying with the requirements of any rule or provision of this Standards, the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Director, may issue an order allowing a variation in complying with such requirements, provided that the purpose of such rule or provision is substantially served and the safety and health of the workers remain ensured. The employer affected by such rule or provision may request in writing the Secretary, thru the Regional Labor Office, to authorize such a variation stating the grounds for the request and the measures to be taken or already being taken.

(2) An application for a variation shall contain:

a. a specification of the rule or provision or portion thereof from which the employer is seeking a variation.

b . an attestation from technically qualified person that the employer is unable to comply with the rule and detailed reasons thereof;

c. a detailed statement of the measure he will take or is already taking to protect the workers against the hazards covered by the rule or provision; and

d. a certification that the workers have been informed and a copy of the application has been furnished the workers or their duly authorized representative.

(3) A variation order shall stipulate the conditions under which the variation is permitted and shall be applicable and effective only to the particular employer and operations covered by the Order. A variation order shall remain in effect until revoked by the Secretary.

1013: Hazardous Workplaces:

For purposes of this Standards, the following are considered “hazardous workplaces:”

a. Where the nature of work exposes the workers to dangerous environmental elements, contaminants or work conditions including ionizing radiation, chemicals, fire, flammable substances, noxious components and the like;

b. Where the workers are engaged in construction work, logging, fire fighting, mining, quarrying, blasting, stevedoring, dock work, deep-sea fishing and mechanized farming;

c. Where the workers are engaged in the manufacture or handling of explosives and other pyrotechnic products;

d. Where the workers use or are exposed to power driven or explosive powder actuated tools;

e. Where the workers are exposed to biologic agents such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoas, nematodes, and other parasites.

Rule 1020: Registration

RULE 1020
REGISTRATION

1021: General Provisions:

Every employer as defined in Rule 1002 (1) shall register his business with the Regional Labor Office or authorized representative having jurisdiction thereof to form part of a databank of all covered establishments.

1022: Registrable Unit:

The establishment regardless of size of economic activity, whether small, medium or large scale in one single location, shall be one registrable unit.

1023: Period of Registration:

(1) Existing establishments shall be registered within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Standards.

(2) New establishments shall register within thirty (30) days before operation.

1024: Registration:

(1) Registration shall be made in form DOLE-BWC-IP-3 in three copies and to be submitted to the Regional Labor Office or authorized representatives.

(2) Registration shall be free of charge and valid for the lifetime of the establishment except when any of the following conditions exists, in which case, re-registration as if it were a new establishment is required:

a. change in business name,

b. change in location,

c. change in ownership, or

d. re-opening after previous closing.

(3) Registration shall include a layout plan of the place of work floor by floor, in a scale of 1:100 meters white or blue print showing all the physical features of the workplace including storage, exits, aisles, machinery, clinic, emergency devices and location.

(4) The registration form may be reprinted or reproduced and the back page may be used for other information.

Rule 1030: Training of Personnel in Occupational Safety & Health

RULE 1030
TRAINING OF PERSONNEL IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

1031: Training Programs:

(1) The Bureau, either directly or through accredited organizations, shall conduct continuing programs to increase the supply and competence of personnel qualified to carry out the provisions of this Standards.

(2) The Bureau shall prescribe the required training programs, which shall, in consultation with the UP Institute of Public Health, World Health Organization and other technical societies, contain provisions requiring the incorporation into the training programs of the latest trends, practices and technology in occupational safety and health.

1032: Accreditation:

The Secretary may issue accreditation or authority to recognized organizations or groups of persons to conduct occupational safety and health training.

1032.01: Criteria for Training:

(1) A Bureau-prescribed course of study shall be used or followed by accredited organizations. Any deviation from the prescribed training course must be with the previous approval of the Bureau.

(2) Provisions for adequate training facilities for the holding of training including laboratory facilities, library, training rooms and equipment.

(3) Training staff must be composed of persons recognized by the Bureau, duly trained by and certified to as competent by the Bureau or accredited training organizations.

1032.02: Audit Systems:

(1) A regular audit shall be done by the Bureau to determine compliance with the above criteria, the system and method of training, and the quality and effectiveness of the training staff.

(2) Upon recommendation of the Director, the Secretary may cancel the accreditation if the provisions of this Rule are not complied with.

1033: Training and Personnel Complement:

(1) The training course prescribed by the Bureau under this rule shall be a requisite for the appointment of the safetyman in place of employment.

(2) At least the following number of supervisors or technical personnel shall take the required training and
shall be appointed safety man, full time or part-time depending on the number of workers employed, and
the type of workplace whether hazardous or non-hazardous under Rule 1013 of this Standards
Number of Workers No. of Safety Man
Hazardous Workplace
200 and below One (1) part-time safety man
over 200 to 1000 One (1) full-time safety man
for every 1000 workers One (1) full-time safety man
Non-hazardous Workplace
less than I 000 One (1) part-time safety man
for every I 000 One (1) full-time safety man

(3) Duties of the Safety Man: The duties of the safetyman are specified under Rule 1040 of this Standards. A part-time safetyman shall be allotted at least four (4) hours per week to perform the duties as safetyman.

(4) The employment of a full-time safety man may not be required if the employer enters into a written contract with a qualified consultant or consulting organization whose duties and responsibilities shall include the following, among others:

a. to assist, advise or guide the employer in complying with the provisions of this Standards, including the development of health and safety programs;

b. to make at least a quarterly appraisal of programs and safety performance of the establishment, including the activities of the safety committee;

c. to be present during scheduled safety inspection by authorized government agents, and during regular safety committee meetings; and

d. in the performance of these activities, to be in the establishment at least six (6) hours a week. The employment of a consultant, however, will not excuse the employer from the required training of his supervisors or technical personnel.

1034.01: Qualifications of a Safety Consultant:

(1) A qualified safety consultant shall mean one who has been a safety and health practitioner for at least five (5) years and has taken the necessary training prescribed by the Bureau.

(2) Safety practitioners with at least ten (1 0) years of experience in all fields of occupational safety and health may not be required to undergo the required training provided they secure from the Bureau a certification attesting to their competence to qualify as consultants.

(3) All safety consultants or consulting organizations, shall be accredited by the Bureau, and registered with the Regional Office concerned.

1034.02: Prohibition in the Practice of Occupational Safety and Health:

No person or organization may be allowed hired or otherwise employed in the practice of occupational safety and health unless the requirements of this Rule are complied with.

Rule 1040: Health & Safety Committee

RULE 1040
HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

1041: General Requirements:

In every place of employment, a health and safety committee shall be organized within sixty (60) days after this Standards takes effect and for new establishments within one (1) month from the date the business starts operating. In both cases the Committee shall reorganize every January of the following year.

1042: Types and Composition of Health and Safety Committee:

1042.01: Type A:

In every workplace having a total of over four hundred (400) workers the following shall compose the

Health and Safety Committee:

Chairman – The manager or his authorized representative who must be a top operating official.

Members – Two department heads, Four workers (must be union members, if organized), The company physician

Secretary – The safety man

1042.02: Type B:

In every workplace having a total of over two hundred (200) to four hundred (400) workers, the following shall compose the Health and Safety Committee:

Chairman – The manager or his authorized representative who must be a top operating official.

Members -One supervisor, Three workers (must be union members, if organized), The company

physician or the company nurse

Secretary – The safetyman

1042.03: Type C:

In every workplace with one hundred (100) to two hundred (200) workers, the following shall compose the

Health and Safety Committee:

Chairman-Manager or his authorized representative
Members – One foreman, three workers (must be union members, if organized), The nurse
Secretary – The part-time safetyman

1042.04: Type D:

In every workplace with less than one hundred (100) workers, the following shall compose the Health and
Safety Committee:

Chairman – Manager

Members – One foreman, Three workers (must be union members, if organized), The nurse/first-aider

Secretary – The part-time safety man

In this workplace, the line type as defined in 1048.02 may be organized.

1042.05: Type E: Joint Committee

When two or more establishments are housed under one building, the health and safety committee organized in each workplace shall form themselves into a Joint Coordinating Committee to plan and implement programs and activities concerning all the establishments.

The Joint Coordinating Committee shall be composed of the following:

Chairman – The chairman of the establishment committee

Members – Two supervisors from two different establishments, Two workers from two different establishments (union members, if organized)

Secretary – Appointed by the Chairman (in high rise, the Secretary shall be the building administrator)

1042.06: Membership of Committee:

The membership as provided are minimum requirements and nothing shall prohibit increases in the number of members as may be found necessary.

Where the workers are not organized, they shall be selected by a simple majority of votes of the workers.

1043: Duties of the Health and Safety Committee:

1043.01: Health and Safety Committee:

The Health and Safety Committee is the planning and policymaking group in all matters pertaining to safety and health. The principal duties of the Health and Safety Committee are:

(1) Plans and develops accident prevention programs for the establishment.

(2) Directs the accident prevention efforts of the establishment in accordance with the safety programs safety performance and government regulations in order to prevent accidents from occurring in the workplace.

(3) Conducts safety meetings at least once a month.

(4) Reviews reports of inspection, accident investigations and implementation of program.

(5) Submits reports to the manager on its meetings and activities.

(6) Provides necessary assistance to government inspecting authorities in the proper conduct of their activities such as the enforcement of the provisions of this Standards.

(7) Initiates and supervises safety training for employees.

(8) Develops and maintains a disaster contingency plan and organizes such emergency service units as may be necessary to handle disaster situations pursuant to the emergency preparedness manual for establishments of the Office of Civil Defense.

1044: Term of Office of Members:

1044.01: Health and Safety Committee:

In order to provide an opportunity for other workers to become member and participate in safety program planning, a periodic change in membership is encouraged. For this purpose, the term of office of the department head in the committee may be one (1) year. The term of office of the worker members in Type A and Type B may be for two (2) years each; in Type C, D and E Committees, may all be one (1) year.

The chairman, physician or nurse and the safety man shall be permanent members of the committee.

1044.02: Joint Committee:

The term of Office of the Chairman and the Members shall be one (1) year. Membership in the Joint Committee shall be rotated among members of the health and safety committees in other establishments.

1045: Duties of the Employers:

Health and Safety committees play very important roles in eliminating work hazards. Developing workers’ interest and participation in the planning and development of safety program is the responsibility of the employer. The employer must exercise the leadership necessary and provide support to make the program work. The principal duties of the employer are:

(1) Establishes and adopts in writing administrative policies on safety in conformity with the provisions of this Standards outlining therein his responsibility and authority delegated.

(2) Reports to the enforcing authority in two (2) copies of the policies adopted and the health and safety organization established to carry out the program on safety and health within one month after the organization or reorganization of the health and safety committee.

(3) Reports to the enforcing authority having jurisdiction at least once in every three (3) months, counting from January, the health and safety program of the organization outlining the activities undertaken including its safety performance, health and safety committee meetings and its recommendations and measures taken to implement such recommendations.

(4) Acts on recommended measures by the health and safety committee by adopting the elements of the health and safety program in the production process or workplace and in case of non-adoption of the Health and Safety Committee’s recommendation, to inform the committee of his reasons.

1046: Duties of the Workers:

(1) Works in accordance with accepted safety practices and standards established by the employer in compliance with the provisions of this Standards.

(2) Reports unsafe conditions and practices to the supervisor by making suggestions for correction or removal of accident hazards.

(3) Serves as members of the Health and Safety Committee.

(4)Cooperates actively with the Health and Safety Committee.

(5) Assists government agencies in the conduct of health and safety inspection or other programs.

1047: Duties of the Safety Man:

The principal function of the Safety Man is to act as the employers’ principal assistant and consultant in the application of programs to remove the hazards from the workplace and to correct unsafe work practices. For this purpose, the Safety Man has the following duties:

(1) Serves as Secretary to the Health and Safety Committee. As such, he shall:

a. prepare minutes of meetings;

b. report status of recommendations made;

c. notify members of the meetings; and

d. submit to the employer a report of the activities of the committee, including recommendations made.

(2) Acts in an advisory capacity on all matters pertaining to health and safety for the guidance of the employer and the workers.

(3) Conducts investigation of accidents as member of the Health and Safety Committee and submits his separate report and analysis of accidents to the employer.

(4) Coordinates all health and safety training programs for the employees and employer.

(5) Conducts health and safety inspection as member of the committee.

(6) Maintains or helps in the maintenance of an efficient accident record system and coordinates actions taken by supervisors to eliminate accident causes.

(7) Provides assistance to government agencies in the conduct of safety and health inspection, accident investigation or any other related programs.

(8) For purposes of effectiveness in a workplace where full-time safety man is required, he shall report directly to the employer.

1048 Other Types of Health and Safety Organizations:

Subject to the approval of the Secretary or his duly authorized representative, the employer may establish in his place of employment the line or staff type of organization.

1048.01: Line Type:

A form of organization where the general manager or head of the establishment directs the health and safety programs and assumes overall responsibility for the safety in the establishment. He in turn delegates the application of health and safety programs to plant personnel occupying line positions.

1048.02: Staff Type:

Staff safety organization or safety engineer type consists of a line organization with specialized personnel employed to advise and assist management in all matters of safety. Said personnel are responsible to the top executive exercising staff functions, serve all departments in an advisory capacity and supervise the application of the health and safety program in the workplace.

Rule 1050: Notification & Keeping of Records of Accidents &/or Occupational Illiness

RULE 1050
NOTIFICATION AND KEEPING OF RECORDS OF ACCIDENTS AND/OR
OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES

1051: Definitions

For the purpose of this Rule, the following terms are hereby defined:

(1) “Medical Treatment Injury” shall mean an injury which does not result in a disabling injury but which requires first aid and medical treatment of any kind.

(2) ‘Disabling Injury” shall mean a work injury which results in death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability or temporary total disability.

(3) “Death” shall mean any fatality resulting from a work injury regardless of the time intervening between injury and death.

(4) “Permanent Total Disability” shall mean any injury or sickness other than death which permanently and totally incapacitates an employee from engaging in any gainful occupation or which results in the loss or the complete loss of use of any of the following in one accident:

a. both eyes;

b. one eye and one hand, or arm, or leg or foot;

c any two of the following not in the same limb, hand, arm, foot, leg;

d. permanent complete paralysis of two limbs;

e. brain injury resulting in incurable imbecility or insanity.

(5) “Permanent Partial Disability” shall mean any injury other than death or permanent total disability, which results in the loss or loss of use of any member or part of a member of the body regardless of any pre-existing disability of the injured member or impaired body function.

(6) “Temporary Total Disability” shall mean any injury or illness which does not result in death or permanent total or permanent partial disability but which results in disability from work for a day or more.

(7) “Regularly Established Job” shall mean the occupation or job description of the activities performed by an employee at the time of the accident and shall not mean one which has been established especially to accommodate an injured employee, either for therapeutic reason or to avoid counting the case as disability.

(8) “Day of Disability” shall mean any day in which an employee is unable, because of injury or illness, to perform effectively throughout a full shift the essential functions of a regularly established job which is open and available to him.

(9) “Total Days Lost” shall mean the combined total, for all injuries or illnesses of:

a. all days of disability resulting from temporary total injuries or illnesses; and/or

b. all scheduled charges assigned to fatal, permanent total and permanent partial injuries or illnesses.

(10) “Scheduled Charges” shall mean the specific charge (in full days) assigned to a permanent partial, permanent total, or fatal injury or’ illness (See Table 6, Time Charges).

(11) “Employee” for the purpose of counting injuries or illnesses or calculating exposures shall be as defined in Rule 1002 (2) and shall include working owners and officers.

(12) “Exposure” shall mean the total number of employee-hours worked by all employees of the reporting establishment or unit.

(13) “Disabling Injury Frequency Rate” is the number of disabling injuries per 1,000,000 employee-hours of exposure rounded to the nearest two (2) decimal places.

(14) “Disabling Injury Severity Rate” is the number of days lost per 1,000,000 employees-hours of exposure rounded to the nearest whole number.

1052: Special Provision:

1052.01

Reports made by the employer shall be exclusively for the information of the Regional Labor Office or duly authorized representative in securing data to be used in connection with the performance of its accident and illness prevention duties and activities and is a requirement distinct from that of the Employee’s Compensation Commission or any other law. These reports shall not be admissible as evidence in any action or judicial proceedings in respect to such injury, fitness or death on account of which report is made and shall not be made public or subject to public inspection except for prosecution for violations under this Rule.

1052.02

The definitions and standard used here are independent of those established by the Employee’s Compensation Commission.

1053 Report Requirements:

1053.01

(1) All work accidents or occupational illnesses in places of employment, resulting in disabling condition or dangerous occurrence as defined in 1053.2 shall be reported by the employer to the Regional Labor Office or duly authorized representative in duplicate and a copy furnished the employee or his duly authorized representative using form DOLE/BWC/HSD-IP-6. The formal report shall be submitted by the employer on or before the 20th day of the month following the date of occurrence of the accident or when the illness, is established and an investigation report in the prescribed form shall be submitted by the Regional Office or duly authorized representative on or before the 30th day of the same month. In case of temporary total disability where the injured or ill employee has not reported back to duty on the closing date of reporting, an estimate of the probable days of disability shall be made and entered in the report and corrected after the return of the injured. In all computations, this estimate shall be used. After the return of the injured, the corrected days of absence shall be used.

(2) Where the accident or fitness results in death or permanent total disability, the employer, in addition to the written report required under sub-paragraph (1) above, shall initially notify the Regional Labor Office or duly authorized representative within twenty four (24) hours after occurrence using the fastest available means of communication.

(3) All deaths and permanent total disabilities shall be investigated by the Regional Office or duly authorized representative within forty eight (48) hours after receipt of the initial report of the employer, prepared in duplicate using the prescribed form DOLE/ BWC/OHSD-IP-6a.

1053.02:

(1) Any dangerous occurrence as specified in sub-paragraph (2) hereunder, which may or may not cause serious bodily harm to workers employed or seriously damage the premises of employment shall be investigated and reported by the employer upon occurrence to the Regional Labor Office or duly authorized representative having jurisdiction in duplicate using the prescribed form DOLE/BWC/HSD-IP-6.

(2) The following are dangerous occurrences, which shall be investigated and reported:

a. Explosion of boilers used for heating or power.

b . Explosion of a receiver or storage container, with pressure greater than atmospheric, of any gas or gases (including air) or any liquid resulting from the compression of such gases or liquid.

c. Bursting of a revolving wheel, grinder stone or grinding wheel operated by mechanical power.

d. Collapse of a crane, derrick, winch, hoist or other appliances used in raising or lowering persons or goods or any part thereof, the overturning of a crane, except the breakage of chain or rope sling.

e. Explosion or fire causing damage to the structure of any room or place in which persons are employed or to any machine contained therein resulting in the complete suspension of ordinary work in such room or place, or stoppage of machinery or plant for not less than twenty four (24) hours, and

f. Electrical short circuit or failure of electrical machinery, plant or apparatus, attended by explosion or fire causing structural damage thereto and involving its stoppage and misuse for not less than 24 hours.

1054: Keeping of Records:

(1) The employer shall maintain and keep an accident or illness record which shall be open at all times for inspection to authorized personnel containing the following minimum data:

a. Date of accident or illness;

b. Name of injured or ill employee, sex and age;

c. Occupation of injured or ill employee at the time of accident or illness;

d. Assigned causes of accident or illness;

e. Extent and nature of disability;

f. Period of disability (actual and/or charged);

g. Whether accident involved damaged to materials, equipment or machinery, kind and extent of damage, including estimated or actual cost; and

h. Record of initial notice and/or report to the Regional Labor Office or authorized representative.

(2) The employer shall accomplish an Annual Work Accident/Illness Exposure Data Report in duplicate using the prescribed form DOLE/BWC/HSD-IP-6b, which shall be submitted to the Bureau copy furnished the Regional Labor Office or duly authorized representative having jurisdiction on or before the 30th day of the month following the end of each calendar year.

1055: Evaluation of Disability:

1055.01: Charges:

(1) Death resulting from accident shall be assigned at time charge of 6,000 days.

(2) Permanent total disability resulting from work accident shall be assigned a time charge of 6,000 days.

(3) Permanent Partial disability either traumatic or surgical, resulting from work accident shall be assigned the time charge as provided in Table 6 on Time Charges. These charges shall be used whether the actual number of days lost is greater or less than the scheduled charges or even if no actual days are lost at all.

(4) For each finger or toe, use only one charge for the highest valued bone involved. For computations of more than one finger or toe, total the separate charges for each finger or toe.

(5) Charges due to permanent impairment of functions shall be a percentage of the scheduled charges corresponding to the percentage of permanent reduction of functions of the member or part involved as determined by the physician authorized by the employer to treat the injury or illness.

(6) Loss of hearing is considered a permanent partial disability only in the event of industrial impairment of hearing from traumatic injury, industrial noise exposure or occupational illness.

(7) The charge due to permanent impairment of vision shall be a percentage of the scheduled charge corresponding to the percentage of permanent impairment of vision as determined by the physician authorized by the employer to treat the injury or illness.

(8) For permanent impairment affecting more than one part of the body, the total charge shall be the sum of the scheduled charges for the individual body parts. If the total exceeds 6,000 days, the charge shall be 6,000 days.

(9) Where an employee suffers from both permanent partial disability and a temporary total disability in one accident, the greater days lost shall be used and shall determine the injury classification.

(10) The charge for any permanent partial disability other than those identified in the schedule of time charges shall be a percentage of 6,000 days as determined by the physician authorized by the employer to treat the injury or illness.

(11) The charge for a temporary total disability shall be the total number of calendar days of disability resulting from the injury or fitness as defined in Rule (8), provided that:

a. The day of injury or illness and the day on which the employee was able to return to full-time employment shall not be counted as days of disability but all intervening period or calendar days subsequent to the day of injury or illness shall be counted as days of disability;

b. Time lost on a work day or on a non-workday subsequent to the day of injury or illness ascribed solely to the unavailability of medical attention or necessary diagnostic aids shall be considered disability time, unless in the opinion of the physician authorized to treat the injured or ill employee, the person will be able to work on all those days subsequent to the day of the injury;

c. If the physician, authorized by the employer to treat the injured or ill employee, is of the opinion that the employee is actually capable of working a full normal shift of a regularly established job but has prescribed certain therapeutic treatments, the employee may be excused from work for such treatments without counting the excused time as disability time.

d. If the physician, authorized by the employer to treat the injure or ill employee, is of the opinion that the employee was actually capable of working a full normal shift of a regularly established job, but because of transportation problems associated with his injury, the employee arrives late at his place of work or leaves the workplace before the established quitting time, such lost time may be excused and not counted as disability time. However, the excused time shall not materially reduce his working time, and that it is clearly evident that his failure to work the full shift hours was the result of a valid transportation problem and not a deviation from the “regularly established job”.

e. If the injured or ill employee receives medical treatment for his injury, the determination of the nature of his injury and his ability to work shall rest with the physician authorized by the employer to treat the injured or ill employee. If the employee rejects medical attention offered by the employer, the determination may be made by the employer based upon the best information available to him if the employer fails to provide medical attention, the employee’s determination shall be controlling.

1056: Measurement of Performance:

1056.01: Exposure to Industrial Injuries:

Exposure to work injuries shall be measured by the total number of hours of employment of all employers in each establishment or reporting unit. The exposure of a central administrative office or central sales office of a multi-establisment-concem shall not be included in the experience of any one establishment, nor prorated among the establishments, but shall be included in the over-all experience of the multi-establishment.

1056.02: Determination of Employee-Hours of Exposure:

Employee-hours of exposure for calculating work injury rates are intended to be actual hours worked.

When actual hours are not available, estimated hours may be used. Employee-hours shall be calculated as follows:

(1) Actual Exposure Hours – Employee hours of exposure shall be, if possible, taken from the payroll or time clock records and shall include only the actual straight time hours worked and actual overtime hours worked.

(2) Estimated Exposure Hours – When actual employee-hours of exposure are not available estimated hours may be used. Such estimated hours should be obtained by multiplying the total employee days worked for the period by the average number of hours worked per day. If the hours worked per day vary among departments, a separate estimate should be made for each department, and these estimates added to obtain the total hours. Estimates for overtime hours shall be included.

If the employee-hours are estimated, indicate the basis on which estimates are made.

(3) Hours not Worked – Employee-hours paid for but not worked, either actual or estimated, such as time taken for vacation, sickness, barangay duty, court duty, holidays, funerals, etc., shall not be included in the total hours worked. The final figure shall represent as nearly as possible hours actually worked.

(4) Employee Living in Company-Property – In calculating hours of exposure for employees living in company property, only those hours during which employees were actually on duty shall be counted.

(5) Employee with Undefined Hours of Work – Traveling salesmen, executives and others whose working hours are defined, an average eight hours day shall be assumed in computing exposure hours.

(6) All stand-by hours of employees, including seamen aboard vessels, who are restricted to the confines of the employer’s premises, shall be counted as well as all work injuries occurring during such hours.

1056.03: Measures of Injury/Illnesses Experience:

(1) Disabling Injury /Illnesses Frequency Rates -The disabling injury/illness frequency rate is based upon the total number of deaths, permanent total, permanent partial, and temporary total disabilities which occur during the period covered by the rate. The rate relates those injuries/illnesses to the employee-hours worked during the period and expresses the number of such injuries/illnesses in terms of a million man-hour unit by the use of the formula:

Disabling Injury/Illness Number of Disabling Injury/Illness x 1,000,000
Frequency Rate (FR) = Employees-hours of exposure
The frequency rate shall be rounded to the nearest two decimal places.

(2) Disabling Injury / Illness Severity Rate – The disabling injury / illness severity rate is based on the total of all scheduled charges for all deaths, permanent total and permanent partial disabilities, plus the total actual days of the disabilities of all temporary total disabilities which occur during the period covered by the rate. The rate relates these days to the total employee-hours worked during the period and expresses the loss in terms of million man-hour unit by the use of the formula.

Disabling Injury / Illness total days lost x 1,000,000
Severity Rate (SR) = employee-hours of exposure
The severity rate shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.

(3) Average Days Charged per Disabling Injury – The average days charged per disabling injury/illness expresses the relationship between the total days charged and the number of disabling injuries/Illness.

The average may be calculated by the use of the formula:

Average days charged per Total Days Lost-
Disabling injury/illness = total number of disabling injuries/illnesses
or
Average days charge per injury severity rate
Disabling injury/illness = injury/illness frequency rate

Rule 1060: Premises of Establishments

RULE 1060
PREMISES OF ESTABLISHMENTS

1060.01: General Provisions:

(1) Building premises shall have adequate fire, emergency or danger sign and safety instructions of standard colors and sizes visible at all times, in accordance with table II, “Standard colors of signs for safety instruction and warnings in building premises”. (Appendix)

(2) Other visible signs that may be needed to direct the driver of motorized vehicle such as STOP, YIELD, and DO NOT ENTER, properly positioned within the compound of the establishment shall be used to increase safety especially during the night.

(3) Handicapped employees should be restricted only to designated workplaces. As far as practicable and feasible they should be provided with facilities for safe and convenient movement with the establishment.

(4) Good housekeeping shall be maintained at all times through cleanliness of building, yards, machines, equipment, regular waste disposal, and orderly arrangement of processes, operations, storage and filing of materials.

(5) Personal Facilities: Adequate comfort rooms and lavatories separate for male and female workers;

Adequate dressing rooms for female workers and locker rooms for male workers shall be provided, in accordance with article 132, Chapter 1, Title 111 Book 111 of the Labor Code of the Philippines. The number of comfort facilities for a given number of workers shall conform with the requirement of the Department of Health.

1061: Construction and Maintenance:

(1) All buildings, permanent or temporary shall be structurally safe and sound to prevent their collapse.

(2) Roof shall be of sufficient strength to withstand normal load, typhoons and strong winds in addition to normal weather conditions and where required to carry suspended loads.

(3) Foundations and floors shall be of sufficient strength to sustain safely the loads for which they are designed and under no condition shall they be overloaded.

(4) Plans for proposed new construction and alterations or substantial repairs of buildings shall be submitted to the Building Official for examination and approval.

1062: Space Requirement:

(1) Workrooms shall be at least 2.7 meters (8 ft. 10 in.) in height from the floor to the ceiling. Where the rooms are air-conditioned and the process allows free movement; existing heights of not less than 2.4 meters (7 ft. I 0 in.) may be allowed.

(2) The maximum number of persons employed in a workroom area shall not exceed one person per 11.5 cubic meters (400 cu. ft.). In calculating the area, no deductions shall be made for benches or other furniture, machinery. or materials but heights exceeding 3 meters (9 ft.-10 in.) shall not be included.

(3) Adequate spaces shall be provided between machinery or equipment to allow normal operation, maintenance or repair and free flow of materials under process or in finished form Passageways between machinery or equipment shall not be less than 60 cm. (24 in.)

1063: Walkway Surface:

1063.01: Stumbling Hazards:

(1) The parts of floors over which any person is liable to walk shall be sufficiently even to afford safe walking and safe trucking of materials.

(2) Such parts of floors shall be free from holes and splinters, improperly fitted gutters or conduits, protruding nails and bolts, projecting valves or pipes, or other projections or obstructions which create stumbling hazards.

1063.02: Slipping Hazards:

(1) Floors, stair-treads and landings shall not be slippery under any condition, or made of any material which will become slippery through wear.

(2) Stairways, ramps, elevator platforms and similar places where slipping may be especially hazardous shall be provided with non-slip walkway surface.

1064: Floor and Wall Opening:

1064.01: Ladderway Opening:

Ladderway floor openings shall be guarded on all exposed sides, except at the entrance to the opening, by permanent railings and toeboards. The passage through the railings shall be provided with a barrier or gate so arranged that a person cannot walk directly through the opening.

1064.02: Stairway Openings:

(1) Stairway floor opening shall be guarded on all exposed sides by permanent railings and toeboards, except the entrance to the stairway.

(2) For infrequently used stairways where traffic across the openings prevents the use of permanent railings, the guards shall consist of flush-hinged covers of adequate strength equipped with railings attached thereto so as to leave only one side exposed when the covers are open. When the openings are not in use, the covers shall be closed or the exposed sides guarded.

(3) Hatchway, chute, pit and trap door openings shall be guarded by:

a. Removable railings with toeboards on not more than two sides and permanent railings with toeboards on all other exposed sides, or

b. Flush-hinged covers as prescribed for stairway floor openings.

1064.03: Manholes and Other Openings:

(1) Manhole floor openings shall be guarded by manhole covers of adequate strength, which need not be hinged.

(2) Other floor openings into which persons can accidentally walk shall be guarded either by permanent railings and toeboards on all exposed sides or by hinged-floor opening covers of adequate strength.

(3) When covers for type (1) or (2) above are not in place, the opening shall be constantly attended to by someone or protected by portable enclosing railings.

(4) Floor openings into which persons cannot accidentally walk on account of fixed machinery, equipment or wall, shall be guarded by covers having no openings more than 2.5 cm. (1 in.) in width securely held in place.

(5) All wall openings less than I meter (3.3 ft.) from the floor, having a height of at least 75-cm (30 in.) and a width of at least, 45 cm. (18 in.) from which there is a drop of more than two (2) meters (6.6 ft.) shall be solidly enclosed or guarded by barriers capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kgs. (220 lbs.) applied in any direction at any point of the top rail or corresponding members except vertically upward.

(6) All other wall openings, irrespective of their width shall, if their lower edge is either 8 cm. (3.2 in.) or less above floor level on the rear side and 2 meters (6.6 ft.) or more above ground or floor level on the far side, be guarded by:

a. A toeboard across the bottom of the opening, or

b. An enclosing screen either solid or of grills or slat work with openings not more than 2.5 cm. (1 in.) in width capable of withstanding a load of at least 50 kgs. (100 lbs.) applied horizontally at any point.

1064.04: Construction of Railings:

(1) All railings shall be permanently constructed of wood, pipe, structural metal or other material of sufficient strength.

(2) Standard railings shall be at least 1 meter (3.3 ft.) from the floor level to the upper surface of the top rail.

(3) Standard railings shall have posts not more than 2 meters (6.6 ft.) apart and an intermediate rail halfway between the top rail and the floor.

(4) The dimensions of railings and posts anchorage and framing of members shall be such that the completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kgs. (220 lbs.) applied from any direction to any point of the top rail.

(5) Railings of the following types of construction shall be deemed to satisfy tests requirements.

a. for wood railings – top rails and posts of at least 5 cm. x I 0 cm. (2 in. x 4 in.) stock and intermediate rails of at least 5 cm. x 5 cm. (2 in. x 2 in.) or by 2 cm. x 10 cm. (1 in. x 4 in.) stock, all such railings shall be smooth and free from large or loose knots, protruding nails or bolts, splinters, fins, slivers, or cracks.

b. for pipe railings – top rails and posts of metal pipes of at least 30 mm. (1 in.) diameter.

c. for structural metal railings – top rails and posts of angle iron of at least 38 mm. x 38 mm. x 5 mm. (1.5 in. x 1.5 in. x 0.2 in.) and intermediate rails of angle iron of at least 32 mm. x 32 mm. x 3 mm. (13 in. x 1.3 in. x 0.1 2 in.).

(6) Railings shall be of sound materials free from defects and all sharp corners rounded and smoothed.

1064.05: Construction of Toeboards:

(1) Toeboards shall be at least 15 cm. (6 in.) in height

(2) Toeboards may be made of wood, iron, steel or other equivalent material.

(3) Toeboards shall be securely fastened in place, with not more than 6 mm. (0.3 in.) clearance above the floor level.

1065: Stairs:

1065.01: Strength:

All stairs, platform, and landings shall be of sufficient strength to sustain safely a liveload of not less than 490 kg/m2 (100 lbs/ft2) with a factor of safety of four (4).

1065.02: Width:

Stairs, except service stairs, i.e., stairs giving access to oiling platforms, shall not be less than 1.1 0 meters (3 ft. 7 in.) in width, clear of all obstructions, except handrails, and shall in no case be less than 90 cm. (35 in.) without the handrails.

1065.03: Pitch:

(1) Except for service stairs, the pitch of stairways be between 30 0 to 38 0 from the horizontal but shall not be less than 20 0 or more than 45 0 .

(2) Where the pitch is less than 20 0 , a ramp shall be installed, and where it is more than 45 0 , fixed ladder shall be provided.

1065.04: Height:

No stairway shall have a height of more than 3.6 meters (12 ft) between landings.

1065.05: Headroom:

Headroom shall be provided at all points in the stair well. ‘The vertical clearance shall not be less than 2.0 meters (6 ft. 7 in.) from the top of the tread in line with the face of the riser.

1065.06: Treads and Risers:

(1) Except for the service stairs, treads shall not be less than 25cm. (9in.) in width exclusive of nosing and projections, and the riser shall not be more than 20 cm. (8 in.) and not less than that provided in 1065.03

(1)

(2) There shall be no variation in the width of the treads and the height of the risers in any flight. The top and bottom of any flight of stairs shall be clearly distinguished.

1065.07: Railings:

(1) All stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with stair railings on any open side.

(2) Enclosed stairways less than 1.1 2 meters (3 ft. – 8 in.) width shall be equipped with at least one handrail preferably on the right side descending.

(3) Stairways 1.12 meters (3 ft. – 8 in.) more in width shall be equipped with one stair railing on each open side and one handrail on each enclosed side.

(4) Stairs railings shall be constructed in a permanent and sufficient manner of wood, pipe, structural metal or other materials of adequate strength.

(5) The height of the stair railings from the upper surface of the top rail to the surface of the tread in line with the face of the riser at the forward edge of the tread shall not be more than 90 cm. (35 in.) or less than 80 cm (31 in.).

(6) Handrails shall be continuous throughout a flight of stairs and at landings without obstruction other than those intended to prevent persons from sliding.

(7) If made of wood, handrails shall be at least 5 cm. x 5 cm. (2 in. x 2 in.) in cross section, and if of metal pipe, at least 2.54 cm. (1 in.) and not more than 6.75 cm. (2 1/2 in.) in diameter.

(8) Handrails is mounted directly on walls or partitions shall be fixed by means of brackets attached to the lower side of the rail so as not to interfere with the smoothness of the top and side surface of the rails.

(9) Brackets shall be spaced not more than 2 meters (6 ft. – 6 in.) apart and shall be of sufficient length to provide a clearance of at least 4 cm. (1.5 in.) between the rails and the wall or any obstruction on the wall.

(10) The completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kgs. (220 lbs.) applied in any direction at any point of the trail.

(11) The clear width of service stairs, such as stairs in engine and boiler rooms or of stairs leading to service platforms around machinery, shall be at least 56 cm. (22 in.).

(12) The pitch of service stairs shall not be more than 60 0 and the width of the treads shall not be less than 15 cm. (6 in.).

(13) Ramps used by persons for ascent or descent form one level to another shall be limited to a rise of not more than I in 10 and shall conform to all construction requirements applying to stairways.

(14) Ramps subjected to heavy stresses from trucking or handling materials shall be provided with additional strength by the use of heavier stock, closer spacing of posts bracing or otherwise designed with a factor of safety of four (4).

1066: Window Openings:

Window openings at stair landings, where the opening is more than 30 cm. (1 2 in.) in width and the sill is less than 1 m. 90 cm. (6 ft.) above the landing, shall be guarded securely by bars, slats, or grills to prevent persons from falling through.

1067: Fixed Ladders:

(1) All metal parts of fittings of ladders shall be made of steel, wrought iron, malleable cast iron or other materials of equivalent strength.

(2) Fixed ladders shall be installed in the following manner.

a. the perpendicular distance from the center line of the rungs to the nearest fixed object on the climbing side of the ladder is at least 90 cm. (35 in.) for a pitch of 75 0 and 75 cm. (30 in.) for a pitch of 90 0 .

b. The distance from the back of the rungs to the nearest fixed object is at least 15 cm. (6 in.)

c. Except in the case of ladders equipped with cages, baskets, or equivalent guards, a clearance of 20 cm. (8 in.) from either side of the ladder to a fixed object shall be provided.

d. No fixed ladders be installed with a pitch over 90 0 .

(3) Fixed ladders used to ascend heights exceeding 9 meters (30 ft.).

a. Shall be provided with landing platform for each 6 meters (20 ft.) or fraction thereof;

b. The sections of the ladder shall be staggered; and

c. If (a) or (b) is not practical, ladders equipped with cages, baskets, or equivalent guards shall be provided.

1068: Overhead Walks, Runways and Platforms:

(1) Walks, runways, working platforms or open sided floors 2 m. (6.6 ft.) or more above the floor or ground level, except platforms used for motor or similar equipment, which do not afford standing space for persons, shall be guarded on all open sides by standard railings and toeboards.

(2) Runways used for filling tank cars or for oiling purposes may have the railing on one side omitted if necessary but the hazards of falling shall be reduced by the use of runways not less than 56 cm. (22 in.) in width.

(3) All runways of platforms constructed over conveyors or machinery shall be guarded on all open sides by standards railings and toeboards.

1069: Yards:

1069.01: Surface:

(1) Plant yards shall be properly drained and graded to facilitate safe access to buildings and safe handling of materials and equipment.

(2) Properly covered or enclosed drain pools and catch basins shall be provided where necessary.

(3) Ditches, pits, and other hazardous openings shall be provided with adequate covers, enclosed or surrounded by sufficient guards,

(4) Walkways, roadways, and railroad tracks shall be carefully laid out in a manner to avoid dangerous grade crossings.

1069.02: Walkways:

(1) Safe walkways shall be constructed along the shortest line between important points.

(2) Walkways shall not be located under the eaves of buildings where they may become slippery.

(3) Where it is necessary for pedestrians to cross railroad tracks or vehicular roadways, bridges or underpasses shall be provided, and the track or roadway should be fenced to prevent direct crossing at such points.

(4) Walking along railroad tracks by unauthorized persons shall not be allowed.

(5) Railings shall be installed along walkways, on bridges on steep slopes, at slippery places and at places where pedestrians are liable to injury by passing vehicles.

1069.03: Roadways:

(1) Roadways for automobiles, tractors, or other vehicles shall be soundly constructed with good wearing surfaces.

(2) Roadways shall be of adequate width, and where used by, two-way traffic shall be at least twice the width of the widest vehicle normally used plus 1.25 m. (4 ft.). Sufficient clearance from overhead structures shall be provided.

(3) Where the installations of grade or level crossing cannot be avoided such crossing shall be protected.

(4) Adequate railings or walls shall be provided along bridges, slopes and sharp curves.

1069.04: Gates:

(1) Where the premises are surrounded by fencing, separate entrance and exit gates shall be provided for pedestrian, vehicular and railroad traffic.

(2) Gates for pedestrian traffic shall be located at a safe distance from those for vehicular and railroad traffic, shall be of sufficient width to permit the free passage of employees during rush hours, and, if possible, shall be so located not to cross vehicular or railroad traffic.

1069:05: Parking of Vehicles:

Regulations covering the use of driveways for entry and exit, speed limits, space allotments and methods of parking shall be provided and strictly enforce where parking space is provided for automobiles of the employee.

Rule 1070: Occupational Health & Environmental Control

RULE 1070
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

1071: General Provisions:

(1) This rule establishes threshold limit values for toxic and carcinogenic substances and physical agents, which may be present in the atmosphere of the work environment. Threshold Limit Values refer to airborne concentration of substances and represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed daily without adverse effect.

(2) The Regional Office, on the advice of the Director, may issue a special rule establishing threshold limit values for toxic substances not found in the table and such rule shall remain in effect until a permanent standard is issued by the Secretary.

(3) The Secretary shall periodically review or update the Standards on threshold limit values, permissible noise exposure levels, illumination levels, human carcinogens, temperature and humidity and other technical standards upon recommendation of a technical committee in the Bureau of Working Conditions.

The member of the technical committee shall either be a physician, engineer, chemist or nurse who has completed at least an occupational health/occupational safety and health-training course required by this Standards, and who has been an occupational health/occupational safety and health practitioner for not less than three (3) years. Other members of the technical committee shall be drawn from the labor and employers’ sectors. The technical committee shall be convened by the Director of the Bureau of Working Conditions as the need for review of the abovementioned technical standards arises.

The Standards formulated by the technical committee shall become effective upon announcement by the Secretary of Labor and Employment.

1072: Threshold Limit Values for Airborne Contaminants:

1072.01:

Threshold limit values refer to time weighted concentrations for an 8-hour workday and a total of forty-eight (48) hours work of exposure per week.

1072.02:

All employees exposure to any material specified in Table 8 and Table 8a of this Rule shall be limited in accordance to the following:

(1) Materials with names preceded by “C” Ceiling Values:

An employee’s exposure to any material in Table 8, the name which is preceded by a “C” (e.g. Boron triflouride), shall at no time exceed the ceiling value given for that material in the Table.

(2) Other Materials, 8-hour Time Weighted Average:

An employee’s exposure to any material in Table 8, the name of which is not preceded by a “C” and any material listed in Table 8a in any 8-hour workshift shall not exceed the 8 hour time weighted average limit given for that material in the Table. However, for a short period of time an excursion in the TLV value in the Table may be allowed but should not exceed the following:

a. from 0 to I concentration by 3 times;

b. from I to I 0 concentration by 2 times;

c. from over 10 to 100 concentration by 1 ½ times;

d. from over 100 to 1000 concentration by 1 ¼ times

(3) “SKIN” Notation:

Listed substances followed by the designation “Skin’ (e.g., DDT-Skin) refer to the potential contribution to the overall exposure by the cutaneous route including mucous membrane and eye, either by airborne or particularly by direct contact with the substance. This attention calling designation is intended to suggest appropriate measures for the prevention of cutaneous absorption so that the threshold limit is not validated.

1072.03:

To achieve compliance with Rule 1072, administrative or engineering controls must first be determined and implemented whenever feasible. When such controls are not feasible to achieve full compliance, protective equipment or other appropriate measures shall be used to keep the exposure of employees to air contaminants within the limit prescribed.

1073: Threshold Limit Values for Airborne Contaminants: (Tables)

Table 8: Threshold limit values for airborne contaminants

Table 8a: Mineral dust

Table 8d: Human Carcinogens: Recognized to have carcinogenic potentials

1074: Physical Agents:

1974.01: Threshold Limit Values for Noise:

The threshold limit values refer to sound pressure that represents conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effect on their ability to hear and understand normal speech.

(1) Feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized when workers are exposed to sound levels exceeding those specified in Table 8b hereof when measured on a scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response. If such controls fail to reduce sound within the specified levels, ear protective devices capable of bringing the sound level to permissible noise exposure shall be provided by the employer and used by the worker.

1074:02: Permissible Noise Exposure:

Table 8b

1074.03:

(1) The values specified in Table 8b apply to total time of exposure per working day regardless of whether this is one continuous exposure or a number of short-term exposures but does not apply to impact or impulsive type of noise.

(2) If the variation in noise level involves maximum intervals of one (1) second or less, it shall be considered as continuous. If the interval is over one (1) second, it becomes impulse or impact noise.

(3) When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered rather than the effect of each.

if the sum of the fraction

37?Cl C2 C3
——– + ——— + ——-
TI T2 T3
exceeds unity, then the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the threshold limit value. C
indicates the total time exposure at a specified noise level, and T indicates the total time of exposure
permitted at the level. However, the permissible levels found in the table shall not be exceeded for the
corresponding number of hours per day allowed. Noise exposures of less than 90 dBA do not enter into the above calculations.

(4) Exposures to impulsive or impact noise shall not exceed 140 decibels peak sound pressures level (ceiling value).

1075: Illumination:

1075.01: General Provisions:

All places where persons work or pass or may have to work or pass in emergencies, shall be provided during time of use with adequate natural lighting or artificial lighting or both, suitable for the operation and the special type of work performed.

1975.02: Natural Lighting,

(1) Skylights and windows should be located and spaced so that daylight conditions are fairly uniform over the working area.

(2) Where necessary, skylights and windows should be provided with means to avoid glare.

(3) A regular system of cleaning skylights and windows should be established to ensure that they are kept clean at all times.

1075.03: Artificial Lighting:

Quality:

(1) Artificial lighting shall be provided when daylight fails or for area where the daylight illumination is insufficient.

(2) The general lighting should be of uniform level, widely distributed to avoid harsh shadows or strong contrast and free from direct or reflected glare.

(3) Where intense local lighting is necessary, a combination of general and supplementary lighting at the point of work may be provided.

(4) Supplementary lighting shall be specially designed for the particular visual task and arranged or provided with shading or diffusing devices to prevent glare.

1075.04: Intensity:

(1) Artificial lighting shall be adequate at the place of work for the operation or work performed.

(2) A minimum of 20 lux (2 foot candles) shall be provided for yards, roadways and outside thoroughfares.

(3) A minimum of 50 lux (5-foot candles) shall be provided:

a. where discrimination of detail is not essential, such as handling coarse materials, coal or ashes, rough sorting or grinding of clay products;

b. for passageways, corridors, stairways, warehouses, storerooms for rough and bulky materials.

(4) A minimum of 100 lux (1 0 foot candles) shall be provided:

a. where slight discrimination of detail is essential such as for the production of semi finished iron and steel products, rough assembling, milling of grains, opening, picking and carding of cotton, or other primary operation in most of the industrial processes; and

b. for engine and boiler rooms, passenger and freight elevators, crating and boxing departments, receiving and shipping rooms, storerooms, and stockrooms for medium and fine materials, locker rooms, toilets, and washrooms.

(5) A minimum of 200 lux (20 foot candles) shall be provided where moderate discrimination of details is essential, such as for medium assembling, rough bench and machine work, rough inspection of testing of products, sewing light-colored textile or leather products, canning and preserving, meat packing, planing of lumber and veneering.

(6) A minimum of 300 lux (30 foot candles) shall be provided where close discrimination of details is essential such as for medium bench and machine work, medium inspection, fine testing, flour grading, leather finishing and weaving cotton goods or light colored cloth/goods or for office desk work with intermittent reading and writing for filing and mail sorting.

(7) A minimum of 500 to 1,000 lux (50 to 100 foot candles) shall be provided where discrimination of fine details is involved under conditions of a fair degree of contrasts for long assembling, fine bench and machine work, fine inspection, fine polishing and beveling of glass, fine wood-working and weaving dark colored cloth/goods, or for accounting, bookkeeping, drafting, stenographic work, typing or other prolonged close office desk work.

(8) A minimum of I 000 lux (1 00 foot candles) shall be provided where discrimination of extremely fine detail is involved under conditions of poor contrast for long periods of time, such as for extra fine assembling instrument, jewellery, and watch manufacturing, grading and sorting tobacco products, make-up and proof-reading in printing plants, and inspection of sewing dark-colored cloth products.

(9) The provisions of paragraphs 2 to 8 apply to lighting equipment under average operating conditions. Where conditions allow, it may be necessary to provide initially an illumination of at least 25% more. In locations where dirt will collect rapidly, the initial level should be at least 50% above the recommended standards.

(10) Any windowless room shall be provided with general lighting sufficient in intensity for the most exacting operations carried therein.

(11) Detailed standards of lighting intensity for different operations of work environment shall be as provided in Table 8c.

Note: I foot candle = 10.75 lux

For purpose of computation use I foot candle = 10 lux

1075.06: Table of Illumination Levels:

Table 8c

1075.06: Emergency Lighting:

(1) Where large numbers of persons are employed in buildings more than one story in height, emergency lighting system shall be provided in all important stairways, exits, workplaces and passages.

(2) Emergency systems shall be capable of producing and maintaining for at least one (1) hour, a minimum intensity of 5 lux (0.5 ft. candle) and shall have an energy source independent of the general lighting system installation.

(3) Provisions shall be made for the automatic lighting of the emergency system immediately upon failure of the general lighting system.

1076: General Ventilation:

1076.01: Atmospheric Conditions:

Suitable atmospheric conditions shall be maintained in workrooms by natural or artificial means to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or vitiated air, harmful drafts, excessive heat or cold, sudden variations in temperature, and where practicable, excessive humidity or dryness and objectionable odors.

1976.02: Air Supply:

(1) Clean fresh air shall be supplied to enclosed workplaces at an average rate of not less than 20 to 40 cubic meters (700 to 1400 cu. ft.) an hour per worker, or at such a rate as to effect a complete change of air a number of times per hour varying from four (4) for sedentary workers to eight (8) for active workers.

(2) Where an. adequate supply of fresh air cannot be obtained by natural ventilation or where it is difficult to get the desired amount of air at the center of the workrooms without creating uncomfortable drafts near the inlets, mechanical ventilation shall be provided.

1076.03: Cleanliness:

(1) Dusts, gases, vapors, or mists generated and released in work processes shall be removed at the points of origin and not permitted to permeate the atmosphere of the workrooms.

(2) Internal combustion engines fuelled by gasoline, diesel or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Installed in workrooms shall be located such that exhaust gases are prevented from permeating the atmosphere of the workrooms.

1076.04: Air Movement

The air movement in enclosed workplaces shall be arranged such that the workers are not subjected to objectionable drafts. The air velocity shall not exceed 15 meters (50 ft.) per minute during the rainy season and 45 meters (150 ft.) per minute during the summer season.

1076.05: Temperature and Humidity:

(1) A temperature suitable for the type of work performed shall be maintained in enclosed workplaces and such temperature shall be increased or decreased and the degree of humidity varied in accordance with the kind of work.

(2) All employees shall be protected either by insulation of the equipment or by other suitable means against radiation and excessive temperature due to steam and hot water pipes or other heated machinery or equipment.

(3) In workplaces involving exposure of workers to unduly high or low temperatures, passage rooms shall be provided so that the workers can gradually adjust themselves to the prevailing temperature.

1077: Working Environment Measurement:

1077.01: General Provisions:

(1)The employer shall exert efforts to maintain and control the working environment in comfortable and healthy conditions for the purpose of promoting and maintaining the health of his workers.

1077.02: Definitions:

Working environment measurement shall mean sampling and analysis carried out in respect of the atmospheric working environment and other fundamental elements of working environment for the purpose of determining actual conditions therein.

1077.03: Requirements:

(1) Working environment measurement shall include temperature, humidity, pressure, illumination, ventilation, and concentration of substances and noise.

(2) The employer shall carry out the working environment measurement in indoor or other workplaces where hazardous work is performed and shall keep a record of such measurement, which shall be made available to the enforcing authority.

(3) The working environment measurement shall be performed periodically as may be necessary but not longer than annually.

(4) The working environment measurement shall be performed by the safety and medical personnel who have taken adequate training and experience in working environment measurement.

(5) In the event of inability to perform the working environment measurement, the employer shall commission the Bureau/Center for Occupational Safety and Health/ Regional Labor Office concerned and other institutions accredited or recognized by the Bureau, to perform the measurement.

1077.04: Effectivity:

This Rule shall be effective upon announcement by the Secretary of Labor and Employment.

Rule 1080: Personal Protective Equipment & Devices

RULE 1080
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES

1081: General Provisions:

1081.01: Every employer as defined in 1002:

(1)Shall at his own expense furnish his workers with protective equipment for the eyes, face, hands and feet, protective shields and barriers whenever necessary by reason of the hazardous nature of the process or environment, chemical or radiological or other mechanical irritants or hazards capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

(2) Deduction for the loss or damage of personal protective equipment shall be governed by Article

114, Book III, Labor Code of the Philippines, and Section 14, Rule VIII, Book III, Omnibus Rules Implementing the Labor Code.

1081.02: All personal protective equipment shall be of the approved design and construction appropriate for the exposure and the work to be performed.

1081.03: The employer shall be responsible for the adequacy and proper maintenance of personal protective equipment used in his workplace.

1081.04: No person shall be subjected or exposed to a hazardous environmental condition without protection.

1082: Eye and Face Protection:

1082.01:Eyes and face protective equipment shall be required where there is reasonable probability of exposure to such hazards. In such cases, the employer shall furnish a type of protective equipment suitable for the work to be performed and the employees shall use such equipment. Eye protection shall be provided where the processes or operations present hazards of flying objects, liquids, injurious radiation, glare or a combination of these hazards.

1082.02: Eye and face protective equipment shall conform with the following minimum requirements:

(1) provide adequate protection against the particular hazard for which they are designed or intended;

(2) be reasonably comfortable to use;

(3) fit snugly and shall not unduly interfere with the movements of the user;

(4) be durable, easily cleaned and capable of being disinfected;

(5) be kept clean and in good condition, and

(6) be of the approved type.

1082.03: Whenever eye protection is needed, persons whose visions require the use of corrective lenses shall wear goggles or spectacles of any of the following types:

(1) spectacles which provide optical correction;

(2) goggles that can be worn over corrective spectacles without disturbing the adjustment of the spectacles; or

(3) goggles that incorporate corrective lenses mounted behind the protective lenses.

1082.04: Limitations and precautions indicated by the manufacturer shall be transmitted to the user and care shall be taken to ensure that such limitations and precautions are strictly followed and observed.

1082.05: For purposes of design, construction, testing, use of eye and face protection, the American National Standards for Occupational Eye and Face Protection Equipment (ANSI z87.1-1968) is adopted.

1083: Respiratory Protection:

1083.01: The primary corrective measure in the control of occupational diseases caused by harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be accomplished through the use or application of accepted engineering control measures, like enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local ventilation and substitution of less toxic materials or a combination of these. When effective engineering control measures are not feasible or while they are in process of being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used.

1083.02: Appropriate respirators shall be furnished by the employer when such equipment are necessary to protect the health of the employees.

1083.03: The employee shall use the respiratory protection in accordance with instruments.

1083.04: Respiratory Protective Program:

In order to effectively implement the provisions of Rule 1083, the employer shall institute a respiratory protective program which shall include the following:

(1) Proper selection of respirators on the basis of the hazards to which the workers exposed;

(2) Sufficient instruction and training in the proper use and the limitations of respirators;

(3) When practicable, the assignment of respirators to individual workers for their exclusive use;

(4) Regular cleaning and disinfecting of the respirators. Respirators issued for the exclusive use of one worker shall be cleaned after each day’s use or as often as necessary. Those used by two or more workers shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use;

(5) Appropriate examination and testing of the conditions of the work area in order to assure that the allowable degree of employee exposure is maintained, and to determine the effectiveness of the control measures.

1083.05: Selecting of Respirators:

(1) For purposes of proper selection, design, construction, testing and use of respirators, the American National Standards Practices for Respiratory Protection (ANSI z88.-21059) is adopted.

1083.06: Use of Respirators:

(1) Standard procedures shall be developed for the use of respirators. These should include all information and guidance necessary for their proper selection, use and care. Possible emergency uses of respirators should be anticipated and planned for.

(2) Written procedures shall be prepared covering safe use of respirators in dangerous atmospheres that might be encountered in normal operations or in emergencies. All personnel shall be familiar with these procedures and the available respirators to use.

a. Workers in enclosed toxic or oxygen-deficient atmosphere shall be assisted in case of accident by at least one additional worker stationed in an area unaffected by the incident and provided with proper rescue equipment to assist the other(s) in case of emergency. Communication (visual, voice or signal line) shall be maintained among the individuals present;

b. When self-contained breathing apparatus or hose masks with blowers are used in atmospheres dangerous to life or health, standby men must be present with suitable rescue equipment;

c. Persons using air line respirators in atmospheres hazardous to life or health, shall be equipped with safety harnesses and safety lines for lifting or removing persons from hazardous atmospheres or other equivalent provisions for the rescue of persons. A standby man or men with suitable self-contained breathing apparatus shall be at the nearest fresh air base for emergency rescue.

(3) For the safe use of any respirator, the user shall be properly instructed in its selection, use and maintenance.

1083.07: Maintenance and Care of Respirators:

A program for the maintenance and care of respirators shall be adopted to the type of plant, working conditions, and hazards involved and shall include the following basic services:

(1) inspection for defects (including leak check),

(2) cleaning and disinfecting, and

(3) repair and storage.

1084: Head Protection:

1084.01: Head Protection:

(1) Hard hats for the protection of workers from impact penetration from falling and flying objects, blows, and from limited electric shock and burns shall be provided where there is reasonable probability of exposure to such hazards.

(2) Hard hats shall be made of non-combustible or slow-burning materials and when used in electrical environment shall be non-conductor of electricity.

(3) The total weight of complete hard hat should not be more than 0.45 kgs. (16 ounces).

(4) Hard hats shall have a brim all around to provide protection for the head, face and back of the neck.

(5) Hard hats without brims and low crowns may be allowed only in confined spaces.

(6) The cradle and sweatband of hard hats shall be detachable and replaceable.

(7) For work in excessive moisture, hard hats shall be water-proof-material.

(8) For the purpose of proper selection, design, construction, testing and use of head protectors the American National Standards Safety Requirement for Industrial Head Protection (ANSI z59-1-1969) is adopted.

1084.02: Hair Protection:

(1) All persons with long hair employed around machinery shall completely cover their hair with well fitting caps or other equivalent protection.

(2) Caps shall be of materials not easily flammable and sufficiently durable to withstand regular laundering, disinfecting and cleaning.

1085: Hand and Arm Protection:

1085.01: When selecting gloves, consideration should be given to the hazards to which the wearer may be exposed to and the ease and free movement of the fingers.

1085.02: Gloves shall not be worn by workers operating drills, punch presses or other machinery in which the hand may be caught by moving parts.

1085.03: Gloves, mittens, and leathers or pads for workers handling sharp edged or abrasive objects shall be made of tough materials and where necessary provided with special reinforcement.

1085.04: Gloves, mittens and sleeves for workers handling hot metals shall be made of suitable heat resisting material.

1085.05: Gloves and sleeves for electrical workers shall be made of rubber or other suitable materials conforming with the test requirements on dielectric strength.

1085.06: Gauntlets for workers handling corrosive substances, such as acids and caustics, shall be made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or pliable plastic material resistant to corrosion.

1085.07: Gauntlets for protecting workers against the action of toxic, irritating or infectious substances shall:

(1) cover the forearm as much as possible,

(2) have a close fit at the upper end and

(3) not have the slightest break.

Gloves torn during use shall be replaced immediately.

1086: Safety Belts, Life Lines and Safety Nets:

1086.01: General Provisions:

(1) Workmen working in unguarded surface above open pits or tanks, steep slopes, moving machinery and similar locations, or working from unguarded surfaces six (6) meters (20 ft.) or more above water or ground, temporary or permanent floor platform, scaffold construction or where otherwise exposed to the possibility of falls hazardous to life or limb, shall be secured by safety belts and life lines. In situations where safety belts and life lines in guarded platforms and scaffolds or temporary floors are not feasible, safety nets shall be provided and installed.

(2) Window washers or cleaners working outside buildings six (6) meters (20 ft.) or more above the ground or other surfaces unless protected from falling by other means, shall use safety belts attached to suitable anchors.

(3) Workmen entering a sewer, flue, duct, or other similarly confined places shall be provided and required to wear safety belts with life lines attached and held by another person stationed at the opening ready to respond to agreed signals.

(4) Workers who are required to climb and work on top of poles six (6) meters or more shall use safety belts. On top of structures where there is no place to strap a safety belt, a messenger line shall be installed for strapping the safety belt or life line.

1086.02: Requirements:

(1) Safety belts shall be made of chromed tanned leather, linen or cotton webbing, or other suitable materials at least 11.5 cm. (4 1/2 in.) wide and 0.65 cm. (1/4 in.) thick and of sufficient strength to support a weight of 114 kgs. (250 lbs.) without breaking.

(2) Hardware used for safety belts should have a strength of approximately equal to the full strength of the waist band. Buckles shall hold securely without slippage or other failure. This holding power should be achieved by only a single insertion of the strap through the buckle in the normal or usual way.

(3) Belt anchors shall be made of metal machined from bar stock, forged or heat treated, capable of supporting a pull of 2730 kgs. (6,000 lbs.) without fracture applied in the direction which the anchor must withstand should a man fall. All anchors and fastenings shall be provided with means to prevent turning, backing off or becoming loose. Anchor fittings with single thread section which is merely screwed into reinforcing plates shall not be used. Metals recommended for belt anchors are nickel copper alloy and stainless steel.

(4) Life lines shall be made of good quality manila rope of at least 1.9 cm. (3/4 in.) diameter or equivalent material such as nylon rope of at least 1.27 cm. (1/2 in.) diameter and shall be of sufficient strength to support a weight of 1140 kgs. (2,500 lbs.) without breaking.

(5) Safety nets shall not be less than 0.94 cm. (3/8 in.) diameter mesh ropes and not less than 1.90 cm. (3/4 in.) diameter border ropes (perimeter) made of manila rope or other materials that can absorb the impact of a falling body equally as nets fabricated from manila rope of the dimensions specified. The mesh shall be arranged not to exceed 15.25 cm. (6 in.) on canters positively and securely attached to avoid wear at each crossing point and at points of contact with the border.

(6) Safety nets shall be equipped with adequately padded thimbler sockets or equivalent means of attachments. Supports and anchorages shall be of sufficient size and strength to catch any falling worker. The nets shall be attached to sufficient supports outside and beyond the area of possible fall and supported at sufficient heights to prevent sagging to any solid object beneath when cushioning the fall of a worker.

(7) Safety belts, life lines and safety nets shall be inspected before use and at least once each week thereafter. Defective belts, lines or nets shall be immediately discarded and replaced or repaired before reuse.

1087: Use of Safety Shoes:

Workers shall be provided with approved safety shoes and leg protection whenever necessary as determined by the nature of work.

Rule 1090: Hazardous Materials

RULE 1090
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

1091: Scope:

The provisions of this Rule shall apply to all workplaces in which hazardous substances in solid, liquid or gaseous forms are manufactured, handled and used or in which flammable, irritating, offensive or toxic dusts, fibers, gases, mists or vapors are generated or released in quantities injurious to health.

1092: Definitions:

When used in this Rule the following shall mean as follows:

(1) “Hazardous materials or substances” mean substances in solid, liquid or gaseous forms known to constitute poison, fire, explosion or health hazard.

(2) “Corrosive” when referred to the action on inanimate surface such as metal, glass or wood means that a substance will cause the wearing away, or the gradual changing or destroying of the texture or substance of such materials. When referred to the action on living tissue, means that it will cause more or less severe destruction of the tissue by chemical action.

(3) “Hot” means that a material or substance possesses or is characterized by a relatively high temperature.

(4) “Gases” means normally aeroform fluid, which have neither shape nor specific volume but tend to expand indefinitely and which can be changed to the liquid or solid state by the effect of increased pressure or decreased temperature.

(5) “Fumes” means suspended solid particles, which are generated by condensation from gaseous state, generally after volatilisations from molten metals.

(6) “Vapor” means gaseous form of substances which are normally in the liquid or solid state, and which can be changed to these states either by increasing the pressure or decreasing the temperature.

(7) “Mists” means suspended liquid droplets generated by condensation from the gaseous to the liquid state or by breaking up of a liquid into a dispersed state, such as by atomizing, foaming or splashing.

(8) “Fibers” means any tough solid substance composed of thread-like tissue, whether of mineral, vegetable or animal origin.

(9) “Dust” means solid particles capable of being blown about or suspended in the air. generated by handling, crushing, cutting, drilling, grinding, rapid impact, spraying, detonations, or disintegration of inorganic or organic materials and are of a composition similar to the substance or substances from which derived.

(10) “Toxic” means acting or likely to act as a poison, or may chemically produce injurious or deadly
effect.

(11) ”Irritating” means causing undue sensitiveness of an organ or part of the body.

1093: General Rules:

1093.01: Reduction of Hazards:

When practicable, harmless substances shall be substituted for hazardous substances or the process shall be revised to reduce worker exposure to the hazards.

1093.02: Control of Processes:

Any one or a combination of the following methods shall be used:

(1) Hazardous processes shall be carried on in separate rooms or building with a minimum number of workers equipped with suitable protective equipment and trained thoroughly in safety practices for daily operations and for emergencies.

(2) The process or operation shall be carried out in an air-tight enclosure to prevent personal contact with the harmful substances and the escape of dusts, fibers, fumes, gases, mists, or vapors into the air or room in which persons work.

(3) Where airtight enclosures or apparatus cannot be used, harmful dusts, fibers, fumes, gases, mists, or vapors shall be removed at or near their point or origin by means of fume chambers or suction hoods properly connected to efficient exhaust system, and

(4) Control by general ventilation to provide a continual inflow of fresh air to keep the concentration of contaminants within safe limits.

1093.03: Use of Personal Protective Equipment:

(1) Workers shall be provided with, and shall use personal protective clothing and equipment in accordance with the requirements of Rule 1080.

(2) Personal protective equipment shall also be used to supplement control methods when such measures cannot adequately eliminate the hazard or when other measures are not possible.

1093.04: Marking of Containers:

All containers with hazardous substances shall be properly labelled. No employer within the scope of this Rule shall accept any container of hazardous substances for use, handling or storage unless such container are labelled.

(1) Specific Labelling Requirements: Labels shall contain the following information:

a. symbol of the relevant category of hazard of the substance contained; categories of hazards shall be explosive, flammable, oxidizing, toxic, corrosive and radioactive; symbols shall be in accordance with

Figure 10 a;

b. trade name may be used in addition to the chemical name of the substance;

c. a description of the principal risk or risks;

d. a statement of the necessary precautions to be taken; and

e. if necessary, a statement of the first-aid or other simple measures to be taken in case of injury or emergency.

(2) Other Aspects of Labelling

a. Shape of labels – warning labels shall be in rectangular shapes;

b. size of symbols – the height of the danger symbol shall be in relation to the size of the package or container upon which the label will be placed.

c. text on the labels shall be adequate in sizes to be clear and legible, and

d. in black on a white background.

(3) Marking of Labels: All required markings shall be either lithographed or press-printed or engraved upon a paper label securely attached or applied to the outside surface of the container. Receptacles of over 18.92 liters (5 gallons) capacity may be marked with letters stencilled, stamped, or uniformly printed not less than 2.54 cm. (1 in.) in height. Marking shall not be defaced or obliterated by rain or other weather elements.

(4) Responsibility for Labelling: (a). The primary responsibility for the correct labelling of packages and containers of hazardous substances manufactured locally shall fall upon the manufacturers. For hazardous substances imported from foreign countries for purposes of distribution and retail to local users, responsibility for correct labelling of containers shall be the importer, distributor or retailer. (b). When hazardous substances in a factory undergo a series of distribution or repacking processes over which the manufacturer has no contact, responsibility for labelling shall fall upon the distributors, wholesalers or retailers. (c). The employer shall be responsible for labelling hazardous substances for use in his workplace other than those supplied by manufacturers or distributors; (d). In case of transfer of hazardous substances from original containers to other containers, the employer shall be responsible for the proper labelling and identification of such substances; and (e) Unlabelled hazardous substances received by the employer shall be properly labelled and identified by him.

(5) Samples of Labels: The sample labels in Figure 10a shall be used as guide.

(6) Condensing of Labels: Where small containers present a problem in labelling for lack of adequate space, the following shall be applied:

a. retain the symbol and the name of the product;

b. retain the statement of hazards;

c. consider omission of precautionary measures if they are clearly indicated in the symbol and in the statement of hazards; and

d. include precautionary measures for any additional hazards, which may be present because of the characteristic of the container, the nature of its use, and the training and experience of the user.

1093.05: Testing of Atmosphere:

The atmosphere of workrooms shall be tested periodically at such intervals as may be necessary but not longer than annually, to ensure that the concentration of irritating or toxic dusts, fibers, fumes, gases, mists or vapors are kept within the threshold limit values specified in Rule 1070.

1093.06: Ventilation and Exhaust Equipment:

Ventilation and exhaust equipment shall be inspected and tested periodically for safe and efficient operational performance.

1093.07: Prevention of Dust Accumulation:

(1) All parts of structure or equipment in which harmful dust is liberated shall be designed and installed so that the surfaces on which dust can accumulate are reduced to a minimum and shall be frequently cleaned.

(2) In rooms where materials producing flammable dusts are processed, handled and stored;

a. dusts shall be removed daily from floors, equipment and other horizontal surfaces, preferably by means of appropriate vacuum apparatus; and

b. all fixtures, ledges, projections, bearings, sidewalks, ceilings and other parts shall be cleaned and freed of dusts at least once a week.

(3) Floors:

Where practicable, floors or rooms in which harmful dust is liberated shall:

a. be smooth, impervious and easy to clean; and

b . not be covered with loose sheets, metal or other materials under which dust can accumulate.

1093.08: Cleaning:

Where toxic and irritating substances are being handled, manufactured or used, the floors, walls, structural surfaces, work benches, tables and equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned daily by means of vacuum cleaning, wet brushing or sweeping, outside of working hours.

1093.09: Precautionary Measures for Emergencies:

(1) Warning Devices:

In all workplaces where hazardous substances are manufactured, handled or used, suitable warning device shall be installed wherever possible, to alert the personnel in case of the liberation of dangerous quantities of said substances.

(2) Training of Personnel:

Workers shall be trained on procedures to control the liberation of hazardous substances, eliminate pollution, and to evacuate from the affected area in an orderly manner.

1093.10: Working Clothing:

All personnel exposed to irritating or toxic substances shall be provided with appropriate protective clothing including head covering, which shall:

(1) be removed before eating or leaving the premises and kept in places provided for the purpose;

(2) not be taken out of the factory by the users for any purpose; and

(3) be maintained in good condition and washed or cleaned at least once a week.

1093.11: Spillage:

Spillage of irritating or toxic substances shall be removed as quickly as possible by the best technical and scientific means possible. and available.

1093.12: Instruction on Health Hazards:

All workers shall be thoroughly informed of the health hazards connected with their work and the measures to be taken to protect themselves there from.

1093.13: Meals:

The introduction, preparation and consumption of food, drink and tobacco in the workroom shall be prohibited.

1093.14: Personal Cleanliness:

All workers exposed to toxic substances which enter the body through ingestion, shall be required to wash their faces and hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, smoking or before leaving the premises.

1093.15: Time for Use of Washrooms:

A time allowance for the use of the washroom before the meal period and for the use of the shower bath at the end of the days’ work shall be allotted to each worker employed in the manufacture or handling of the following:

(1) irritating or toxic dry mineral or organic substances such as arsenic, chrome, lead, manganese, mercury, phosphorus, zinc and their compounds;

(2) Superphosphates and their compounds;

(3) Dust-producing toxic dyestuffs and pigments;

(4) Dust-producing and coal-tar products such as pitch and soot; and

(5) Radioactive substances.

1093.16: Medical Aid:

All workers exposed to irritating or toxic substances shall be required to report promptly any physical complaints.

1093.17: Exposure Records:

The employer shall maintain accurate record of employee exposure to potentially toxic materials which are required to be measured or monitored. This record shall be open to authorized agents and the workers exposed to such hazards.

1094: Hot and Corrosive Substances:

1094.01: Protection of Structure & Equipment:

In all workplaces where corrosive gases, fumes, mists or vapors are generated and liberated, adequate measures shall be taken to prevent damage to structural parts and factory equipment by corrosion.

1094.02: Handling:

(1) Corrosive or hot liquids should be handled in bulk by gravity system or pressure pump system, extending to the point or points of use so as to eliminate transporting in small container.

(2) Emptying receptacles containing corrosives or hot liquids not provided with drain cock shall be by pumps, tipping appliances or other suitable apparatus.

(3) Where portable receptacles are used for corrosive liquids, transport inside factories shall be effected without the escape of fumes or mists and preferably by mechanical means.

(4) Receptacles shall be kept securely closed except during extraction of the contents.

1094.03: Spillage of Acids and Alkalies:

(1) Floors in rooms where corrosive liquids are manufactured, handled or used shall be kept as dry as possible.

(2) Spillage should be avoided. Spilled corrosive liquid shall be guarded until removed to prevent workers from stepping or getting into contact with it.

(3) Spilled or escaping corrosive acid shall not be absorbed by sawdust, waste cloth or other organic materials but shall be flushed out with water or neutralized with chalk or lime.

1094.04: Diluting Acids:

When diluting acid with water, the acid shall be poured slowly into the water, with constant stirring of the mixture. Water shall never be poured into acid.

1094.05: Physical Contact With Corrosive Substances:

(1) Workers exposed to physical contact with corrosive or hot liquids or to caustic compounds of calcium, potassium, sodium or their dusts, shall be provided with and shall use protective clothing and equipment conforming to the requirements of Rule 1080.

(2) In workrooms where corrosive liquids are manufactured, handled or used, clean running water, and quick operating eye fountains and shower baths shall be installed and maintained in or adjacent to such workrooms readily accessible to all workers.

1095: Storage:

1095.01: Vats and Tanks:

(1) Vats, pans, and open tanks containing hot corrosive or toxic liquids shall, when the opening or top is less than 1 m (3.3 ft) above the floor or working level, be either:

a. raised so the top will not be less than 1 m (3.3 ft.) from the floor or working level, or

b. guarded on all sides by enclosures or by standard railings and when the top is less than 15 cm. (6 in.) above the floor shall be provided with standard toe- boards.

The provisions of a. and b. shall apply to every vat, pan or tank irrespective of the nature of the liquid it may contain.

(2) Where vats, pans or open tanks containing hot, corrosive or toxic liquids adjoin, the space shall be fenced.

(3) Vats, pans, or open tanks containing hot, corrosive or toxic liquids shall be provided with pipes or drains of sufficient capacity to carry off the contents without spilling or their backing up on the floor.

(4) Above-ground tanks containing hot, corrosive or poisonous liquids shall be:

a. surrounded by pits, catch basins or depressions of sufficient size to hold the entire contents in case of rupture; and

b. provided with overflow pipes leading to tanks or to safe places outside the building.

(5) Walkways shall not cross over open vats, pans or tanks containing hot, corrosive or toxic liquids. Where it is necessary to install service walkways for access to agitator drives or valves or for taking samples, such walkways shall be:

a. not less than 50 cm (20 in.) in width;

b. provided on both sides with standard railings and toeboards; and

c. kept clean and dry at all times.

1095.02: Storage Tanks for Non-Flammable Hazardous Liquids:

(1) Tanks used for storage of non-flammable hazardous liquids shall be:

a. located above ground or floor level;

b. supported so that leakage from any part of the tank will be noticeable;

c. surrounded with pits, catch basins or depressions of sufficient size to hold the entire contents of the largest tank in the event of rupture;

d. covered with protective paint to prevent corrosion from moisture or fumes; and

e. provided with stairways or permanent ladders and platforms, where necessary, for convenient and safe access to all parts of the tank and with floors or platforms preferably of metal grating.

(2) Tanks used for storing non-flammable hazardous liquids shall not be placed above passageways.

(3) Tanks used for storing non-flammable hazardous liquids stored in pits below ground level:

a. the pits shall be of concrete or masonry with sufficient space between the walls and the tanks to permit the passage of any person at any point; and

b. the tanks shall be mounted 38 to 45 cm. (15 to 18 in.) above the bottom of the pit.

(4) Pits containing sunken tanks used for storing non-flammable hazardous liquids shall be provided with covers and fixed ladders for safe access.

(5) All control-valves for sunken tanks used for storing non-flammable hazardous liquids shall be:

a. situated or of such design that they can be turned without any person entering the pit; and

b. provided with locking devices operated from the outlets of the pit.

(6) Workers entering storage tanks and pits containing hazardous liquids shall be provided with personal protective clothing and equipment conforming to the requirements of Rule 1080.

(7) Tanks used for storing corrosive or caustic liquids shall be provided with:

a. a permanent open wet pipe not less than 5 cm. (2 in.) in diameter at the highest point in the tank; and

b. a drain connection at the lowest point in the tank discharging into a safe place.

(8) Tanks used for storing corrosive or caustic liquids shall have the filling connections at the top and the discharge pipes 15 cm. (6 in.) above the bottom.

1095.03:

Drums containing acids shall be stored in cool places with the bung up. They shall be carefully opened each time the drum has been moved or once a week if stored for a period of time to relieve any internal pressure and subsequently sealed again.

1095.04: Carboys for Acids:

(1) Carboys containing acids shall be encased singly in baskets or in boxes cushioned with non-combustible packing material.

(2) Carboys containing acids shall be stored in separate store rooms or buildings with concrete floors having anti-acid protection or with brick floors properly drained to catch basins, dry and protected from dampness, extreme heat or sudden change in temperature.

(3) Carboys containing acids shall not be piled one on top of another but should be placed in suitable storage racks or on wooden strips laid on the floor.

(4) Special handling equipment such as two-wheeled carboy trucks shall be provided for transporting carboys containing acids to and from storage.

(5) Adequate equipment shall be provided and used for the emptying of carboys.

(6) Empty acid carboys shall be stored apart from filled carboys.

(7) Empty carboys shall be thoroughly washed out by turning them upside down over and upward with stream of water and drained before they are stored.

(8) Carboys together with their baskets or boxes shall be examined as to their condition before they are filled with acid.

1096: Use of Lead and Its Compounds:

1096.01: Definitions:

“Lead Compounds” means any organic or inorganic derivatives of lead.

1096.02: Control Measures:

(1) A substitute substance or agent less injurious or harmful shall be used instead of lead such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide instead of white lead in paint manufacture.

(2) Processes involving the use of lead and its compounds shall be enclosed and mechanical handling methods should be used or employed.

1096.03: Storage and Handling:

Stocks of lead materials shall be kept in special storage rooms outside the workrooms. Workrooms in which lead materials are handled shall be located in relation to other parts of the shop of factory in as small an area as possible to confine the lead and to concentrate control measures in that area.

1096.04: Local Exhaust System:

Properly designed exhaust systems, capable of carrying or drawing of air contaminants to maintain or control the threshold limit value of lead in the atmosphere, shall be provided for all processes which generate lead, fumes or dusts. The contaminants removed shall not be allowed to re-enter the workrooms or to pollute other parts of the workplace or the surrounding areas.

1096.05: Personal Protective Equipment:

Appropriate protective equipment and clothing such as overalls, head covering, goggles, gloves, aprons and respirators shall be issued free of charge to lead workers by the employer who shall see to their proper use and maintenance.

1096.06: Smoking or Eating:

Smoking, chewing, eating and the keeping of food in workrooms where lead or its compounds are used and handled shall not be allowed.

1096.07: Storage Lockers:

Suitable storage lockers for street and work-clothes shall be issued to each worker exposed to lead and its compounds. Adequate washing facilities shall be provided.

1096.08: Physical Examination:

Workers exposed to lead shall be subjected to periodic physical examination and laboratory examination at intervals of not more than six (6) months and where the degree of contamination rises above the threshold limit value, such physical examination shall be conducted at least once every three (3) months and a record of such examinations shall be open to authorized agents and to the exposed workers.