Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

by Manel Labit

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In compliance with the requirements of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Megaworld conducted a series of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training for all employees and this was held in September and October 2019.

The goals of occupational safety and health programs include to foster a safe and healthy working environment and to also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others from potential hazards that may be present, as well as natural calamities that may occur in the near future. It also covers the three important components of OSH - security, safety, and health.

For starters, Megaworld Corporation promotes its own Company Health Program to assess employees’ health status by having Annual Physical Examination for regular employees and pre-employment Examination for newly hired employees in order to identify if employees are fit to work.

Identifying hazards inside the workplace and knowing the steps to control them is another important key takeaway. Having safe storage, hygiene practices, and proper waste disposal are just some of the tips taught during the seminar. One of the company’s efforts to ensure the cleanliness and hygienic working environment is the 5S+2 method. Employees are encouraged to practice this with the help of their respective floor marshals and steering committee.

Employees are also encouraged to learn the science of ergonomics which is the study of people in their working environment. This includes proper posture, positioning of things, and in-between breaks to become more productive, reduce fatigue and avoid a certain disorder called the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). They were given sample exercises they could do on a daily basis while inside the office.

Lastly, employees were taught safety procedures in cases of fire and earthquake. They were well-informed on the different kinds of fire extinguishers and how to hold and use one. The speakers were also able to discuss the Big One - a 7.2 magnitude earthquake which may strike the Philippines anytime soon. Expectations were set and the nearby evacuation areas and command centers were pointed out for everyone’s safety.

By the end of this 8-hour OSH seminar, all attendees were recognized as Safety Officer I. Employees reported back to their work stations the next day while keeping in mind their own health, safety, and security.