Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards
Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards
Course Objective At the end of this course, learners should know about: ● ● ●
Selected relevant Philippine laws covering Occupational Health and Safety in the construction industry Rights and Responsibilities of Employers Rights and Responsibilities of Employees
There are a variety of laws in the Philippines that govern occupational safety and health for all industries. The following laws are related to construction safety: Republic Act 11058 ●
An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof, signed in 2018
Department Order 13 ● ●
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DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Center established guidelines governing Safety and Health in the Construction Industry in 1998 Objective: Ensure protection and welfare of: o workers employed in construction industry o the general public within and around construction sites Guidelines apply to all construction activities, including demolition, whether owned by private or government sector
Occupational Safety and Health Standards ● ● ●
Established by Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in 1978, amended in 1989 Objective: safeguard worker’s social and economic well-being as well as their physical safety and health Rule 1410: Specific provisions on Construction Safety
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Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards
Selected Provisions for Construction Industry — Rights and Responsibilities: Employer The employer is responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for all its workers. This includes establishing safety committees and assigning safety personnel within the construction site. Selected Duties of Employers (RA 11058) 1. Every employer, contractor or subcontractor shall: o Equip a workplace free of hazardous conditions o Give complete safety instructions to all workers, especially people new to the job o Inform workers of hazards and health risks at the work place, and how to eliminate them, and what to do in case of emergency o Use only approved devices and equipment for the workplace o Comply with OSH standards (training, medical exam, provision for personal protective equipment (PPE) and machine guards where necessary o Make arrangements for workers to participate in organizing, planning, implementing and evaluating safety programs in the workplace o Provide measures to deal with emergencies (e.g., first aid arrangements, evacuation plans, trainings and drills) Safety and Health Committee – Duties ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Plan, develop and oversee the implementation of accident prevention programs for the construction project; Daily safety or toolbox meetings; Review safety and health inspections reports, accident investigations; Assist with government inspections; Initiate and supervise safety and health training for employees; Develop and maintain a disaster contingency plan and organize emergency service units; and Perform all duties provided in the Construction Safety and Health Program
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Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards Safety and Health Training (RA 11058) ● All safety and health personnel shall undergo the mandatory training on basic occupational safety and health for safety officers (SO) as prescribed by DOLE ● All workers shall undergo mandatory eight (8) hours safety and health seminar as required by DOLE which shall include a portion on joint employeremployee orientation ● All personnel engaged in the operation, erection and dismantling of equipment and scaffolds, structural erections, excavations, blasting operations, demolition, confined spaces hazardous chemicals, welding, and flame cutting shall undergo specialized instruction and training on said activities. Construction Site Safety Personnel & Facilities ● A construction site is considered a hazardous workplace ● Different work environments at a construction site are classified into Low Risk, Medium Risk, or High Risk Safety Officer ● General constructor must provide a full-time general construction Safety and Health Officer ● Additional Safety Personnel is required, based on the number of workers Occupational Health Personnel and Facilities ● A construction workplace shall have qualified occupational health (OH) personnel such as certified first-aiders (FA), nurses, dentists, and physicians (part time or full time) duly complemented by adequate medical supplies, equipment and facilities, based on number of workers. ● If there is only a treatment room on site, employer must: o Provide access to medical clinic within 5km radius of workplace reachable in 25 minutes o Provide necessary transportation o Have written contract with medical/dental clinic to attend to workplace emergencies Workers’ Welfare Facilities (DO13) Employer shall provide welfare facilities to provide humane working conditions. ● Adequate supply of safe drinking water 4
Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards ● ● ●
Adequate sanitary and washing facilities Suitable living accommodation for workers and, as may be applicable, for their families Separate sanitary, washing and sleeping facilities for men and women workers
Selected Provisions for Construction Industry – Rights and Responsibilities: Employees Selected Duties of Workers (RA 11058) ● Participate in training activities on training and health and other OSH related topics and programs ● Properly use all safeguards and safety devices furnished for workers’ protection and that of others ● Comply with instructions to prevent accidents or imminent danger situation in the workplace ● Observe prescribed steps to be taken in case of emergency, including participation in national or local disaster drills ● Report any work hazards discovered in the workplace to their immediate supervisor or other safety and health personnel Workers’ Rights Workers’ Right to Refuse Unsafe Work (RA 11058) ● Without reprisal from employer if, as determined by DOLE, an imminent danger situation exists at the workplace that may result in illness, injury or death, and corrective actions have not been undertaken by the employer Workers’ Right to Report Accidents (RA 11058) ● To the DOLE and other concerned government agencies Workers’ Right to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ● PPE shall be of the appropriate type as tested and approved by DOLE based on its standards and/or means of verification ● Usage of PPE shall be based on the evaluation and recommendation of the safety officer as a result of the workplace hazard assessment ● PPE must be of appropriate size, weight, type to specific workers exposed to hazards from which PPE are meant to ensure effective protection 5
Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards ●
Issuance of PPE shall be supplemented by training on the application, use, handling, cleaning and maintenance of PPE
Construction Workers rights to Safety and Health Information (DO 13) ● Know about potential hazards at the workplace ● Receive instruction and training on prevention, control and protection measures ● Attend safety and health awareness seminar before entering the construction site ● Receive training about general safety and health measures common on construction sites: o basic rights and duties of workers at the construction site o means of access and egress both during normal work and in emergency situations o measures for good housekeeping o location and proper use of welfare amenities and first-aid facilities o proper care and use of items or personal protective equipment and protective o clothing provided to the workers o general measures for personal hygiene and health protection o fire precautions to be taken o action to be taken in case of any emergency o requirements of relevant health and safety rules and regulations. ● Daily Tool Box meetings ● Instruction should be given in dialect understood by workers
Selected General Provisions for Construction Safety Course Objective At the end of this course, learners should know about: ● ● ● ●
Construction Safety Signage Safety on Heavy Equipment Safety on Scaffolding Safety on Excavation sites 6
Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards ●
General Safety Provision
Construction Safety Signage (DO 13) ● To warn the workers and the public of hazards existing in the workplace ● Shall be posted in prominent positions at strategic locations and, as far as practicable, be in the language understandable to most of the workers employed ● In accordance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards on color of signs for safety instructions and warnings, Globally Harmonized System (GHS) pictograms, construction safety, classification and labelling of chemicals, radiation, safety instructions and warning signs, set by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ● Examples: o Usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) o Risk of falling/ falling objects o Areas where explosives and flammable substances are used or stored o Tripping or slipping hazards o Toxic or irritant airborne contaminants/substances o Danger from electrical / facility equipment o Dangerous moving parts of machines o Location of fire alarms/ firefighting equipment o Instructional signs for specific construction equipment o Update of man-hours lost Safety on Construction Heavy Equipment (DO13) Heavy Equipment refers to any machine with engine or electric motor as prime mover used for lifting, excavating, leveling, drilling, compacting, transporting and breaking works in the construction site with minimum operating weight of 1,000kg (1 ton) and horsepower rating of 10HP. Examples are: crane, bulldozer, backhoe, grader, road compactor, prime mover and trailer
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Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards Pre-Construction ● ●
Heavy equipment operators must be tested and certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Heavy equipment must be tested and certified in accordance with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) standards
During Construction ●
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Transport of Heavy Equipment (same applies for dismantling of heavy equipment) o Conform with load restrictions of trailers o Conform with load, height and width clearance of roads and bridges in accordance with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) o Only certified operators can load / unload trailers o Equipment must be properly secured on trailer Set-up of Heavy Equipment (same applies for dismantling of heavy equipment) o Avoid existing hazards o Observe standard steps and procedures o List necessary equipment, tools and materials Routine Inspection for accident prevention o Performed by DOLE accredited professionals o Non-compliant equipment must be removed immediately for restoration or repair Certified Operators o Only duly certified operators are allowed to operate their designated heavy equipment o All operators and riggers must wear PPE
Safety on Scaffolding A scaffold is a temporary or movable platform supported on the ground or suspended, used for access and/or working at considerable heights above ground. A supported scaffold means one or more platforms supported by outrigger beams, posts, legs, frames or similar rigid support. Suspended scaffold means one or more platforms supported by ropes or other non-rigid means from an overhead structure(s).
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Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards Trestle scaffold refers to scaffolds in which the supports for the platform are step ladders, tripods or similar movable contrivances. Selected Provisions: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
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Up to 6 meters of height – bamboo / timber scaffold is sufficient Above 6 meters height – steel scaffolds required Follow manufacturers design and specification for all manufactured scaffolds and its accessories Manufactured scaffolds more than 6 meters in height shall be designed by a structural engineer and approved by appropriate authority Use fall protection equipment when working at 2 to 10 meters of height Use fall arrest equipment (harness, lifeline, clip) when working above 10 meters of height Fall protection equipment shall be provided on any scaffold 2m or more above ground Supported scaffolds shall have a guardrail to prevent falls in addition to fall protection equipment On suspended scaffolds with horizontal lifelines that may become vertical lifelines, the devices used to connect to the horizontal lifeline shall be capable of locking in both directions All personnel involved in scaffolding activities shall have appropriate training and certification
Safety on Excavation Sites (OSHS 1413) Selected Provisions: ● ●
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Excavation wall over 1 meter (3 ft.) high shall be supported by adequate shoring and timbering to prevent collapse Shoring and timbering in excavations over 6.6 meters (29 ft.) deep and those installed to prevent movement and collapse of an adjacent structure shall be designed by a structural engineer and approved by the proper authority. Excavations ≥ 1 meter (3 ft.) shall be kept free of water at all times. Excavated material shall be kept from the edge of the excavation to provide a clear berm of distance Tools and materials shall be kept ≥ 1 meter (3 ft.) away from edge of excavation No vehicle or machinery shall be driven, operated or located near the edge of an excavation 9
Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards ● ● ● ●
A 1 meter (3 ft.) barricade shall be erected around excavations ≥ 2 meters (6 ft.) to prevent falls of workers Every excavation ≥ 1 meter (3 ft.) deep shall have a means of access and escape in case of flooding or collapse. Every part of an excavation ≥ 2 meters (6 ft.) deep shall be inspected by the person in charge at least once a day Timbering or support for any excavation shall be erected, added, altered or dismantled only under the direction of the project supervisor.
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Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards
General Safety Provisions There are many different activities going on at a construction site. For your and your co-workers safety, it is good to know the following safety provisions: Electrical: ● Render cables and apparatus electrically dead or ● Provide barriers to prevent contact before working on live electric cable or equipment Machine Guarding: Guard all moving parts of machinery Fire Protection: Proper equipment shall be provided Lighting of Work Areas: Every work area, path, and openings shall be well lighted Lifting of Weights: ● Male worker shall not lift, carry or move any load over 50 kilograms; ● Female workers shall not lift, carry or move any load over 25 kilograms. ● Heavier items shall be handled by more than one worker or by mechanical means. Pipelines: Release pressure or block off line pressure in a section before working on it Protection from Falling Materials: ● Wear safety helmets and safety shoes. ● Don't throw tools, materials, wastes from a height. Lower it by crane, hoist or chutes. Protruding Nails and Loose Materials: ● Remove lumbar with protruding nails or flatten the nails so they are no longer a source of danger to the workers. ● Remove loose materials from working platforms, gangways, floors or other workplaces 11
Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards Protection against Collapse of Structure: ● Use guys, stays and fixings to ensure stability of all temporary structures during construction. ● Conduct shoring where construction work will likely reduce the stability of an existing or adjacent building Storage of Materials: Don’t store materials and tools in gangways and on platforms Storage of Cylinders: ● Store compressed gas cylinders in upright position protected against heat and overturning, ● When not in use, cover control valves by protective caps Traffic Control: Install flagmen, warning signs, barriers or lane control devices if worker's is endangered by vehicular traffic Vehicular Loading: Step out and away from vehicle during loading Vehicle Driving: Only adequately trained, experienced and authorized person can operate vehicles Internal Combustion Engine: Don't use internal combustion engine in an enclosed area unless: ● exhaust gases or fumes are discharged directly outside to a point where the discharge gases or fumes cannot return to the enclosure, ● place is ventilated to protect workers from exhaust gases. Personal Protective Equipment: Has to be provided to the workers!
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Construction Site Safety Related Laws and Standards
The information have been obtained from the following sources: ● Department of Labor (DOLE): Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as amended 1989, https://bwc.dole.gov.ph/images/Downloads/OSH-Standards-Amended1989.pdf ● Bureau of Working Conditions – Department of Labor and Employment: Amending Rule 1414 on Scaffolding of the 1989 Occupational Safety and Health Standards, https://bwc.dole.gov.ph/images/Issuances/DepartmentOrder/DO_128_13_Ame ndsingRule_1414_on_Scaffoldings_of_1989OSHS.pdf ● Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Center: Department Order 13 Series of 1998, Guidelines Governing Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry: https://oshc.dole.gov.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2020/09/DO_131.pdf ● Congress of the Philippines: RA 11058, An Act Strengthening Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof (2018), https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/ra_17/RA11058.pdf ● Department of Labor and Employment – Occupational Safety and Health Center: Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11058, https://oshc.dole.gov.ph/implementing-rules-and-regulation-of-ra-11058/
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