DOLE Launches Workplace Safety Caravan

To reduce risks in workplaces, specifically to youth workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is holding today a caravan on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in line with the celebration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in Binan, Laguna.

Dubbed SafeYouth@Work Project, will kick off today at the Laguna Technopark Association, Inc. (LTAI), spearheaded by the Bureau of Working Condition (BWC), in partnership with the International Labour Organization and its tripartite partners.

BWC Director Teresita Cucueco said the activity is a global project focusing on the safety and health of young workers, specifically those aged 15-24 years old in the Philippines.

SafeYouth@Work Project aims to raise the awareness of young workers who are facing hazards of occupational accidents which may be attributed to their lack of basic training, less job experience, and inadequate preparation for the job.

Aside from representatives from the labor department, former labor assistant secretary and current ILO National project coordinator Katherine Brimon, ILO Manila Country Office Director Khalid Hassan, Association of Safety, Health and Environment Officers of Laguna, Inc. (AOSHEOLI) President Miguel Dy, Laguna Technopart Association Inc. (LTAI) LTAI Chairman and President Delfin De Guzman, and LTAI General Manager Ana Marie Molano, are also expected to lead the caravan.

Around 500 participants, composed of young workers in the ecozone, representatives from the workers group such as ALU, FFW, KMU, SENTRO, TUCP, ALLWIES, IndustriALL, NACUSIP-TUCP-ITUC, and CWS, from the employers sector – the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), from the public sector, CIU, PGEA, PIPSEA, PSLINK, and youth and civic organizations, PRC, BSP, NYC are expected.

The event will kick off in a parade, followed by the launching program.

The organizers and steering committee will be setting up an interactive wall of safety warning/ signage, and their description and instructions to promote knowledge in the workplace for both employees, and visitors to prevent possible danger and hazards in the near future.

The event also aims to provide information on occupational safety and health standards through kiosks with e-learning module and games laptops.  These will be made available to assess the OSH familiarity of participants and test the skills and knowledge gained by the workers after using the application.

To enable greater appreciation on OSH, the winners of the National VideOSH Contest will also be awarded in the program while various videos related to the activity will be played throughout the caravan. The videos will include promotional and educational materials and the competition video winners.

A photo exhibit will also be showcased in the activity where the participants will be allowed to learn more about the challenge of ensuring a Generation of Safe and Healthy Workers and how global and national efforts are addressing the issue.

Games and contests will also be available for the participants where the proper usage and how to put on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be demonstrated.

For workers who have related queries and concerns, DOLE, ILO, and AYOSH will be setting up help desks to provide further assistance and promote their respective programs and advocacies. (Paul Ang/DOLE)