Occupational Health and Safety Training 2002-2003

In 2002, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA worked in partnership with the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) for six months to equip 315 workers with OH&S skills, as well as an orientation program on OH&S rights. This was provided to assist the workers in understanding these issues in order to advocate for better working conditions.

Report to Donors
June 2003

The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) was initially formed in 1982 under the name of the Council of Primary Health Care. It became known as IOHSAD in 1988 and its credibility as a resource centre in the field of Occupational Health and Safety has been consistently maintained.

It has a network that now covers major labour federations in the Philippines, as well as local unions in 7 regions and 20 provinces. In addition, it has a close association and linkages with different health, women's and environmental organisations, academic and government agencies. Since 1988 it has trained around 15,000 workers in more than 230 local networks in OHS, and more than 150 OHS committees have been formed. The IOHSAD mobile clinic service provides 300 local unions with access to medical assistance while its office-based medical and dental clinic served 20,000 workers in seven regions.

In addition to the provision of these services, IOHSAD has conducted comprehensive research into the OHS hazards in the following sectors: agriculture, semi-conductor and electronics, garments, textile, mining, steel, paper, retail and battery industries.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) of the Philippines has compiled information indicating that there are 13.4 million workers in hazardous industries and 366,785 small-scale industries in danger zones. The 1996 estimates show that some 1,410 of the 2,055 companies in Manila alone (i.e.67%) are found to have violated labour standards. In these circumstances, it is important for OH&S training to continue to be provided and Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, with the support of donations such as yours, is proud to support IOHSAD in its endeavours.

In 2002, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA worked in partnership with IOHSAD for six months to equip 315 workers with OH&S skills, as well as an orientation program on OH&S rights. This was provided to assist the workers in understanding these issues in order to advocate for better working conditions. A short description of these courses is as follows:

1. Basic Occupational Health and Safety Orientation: This was a two-day course on the principles of OH&S and an introduction to occupational hazards. In addition, the role of the health and safety committee of the union was defined and an in-depth explanation of the content of the occupational health and safety standards and employees' compensation were discussed.

2. First Aid Training: This three-day course focused on human anatomy, physiology and the importance of first aid. In addition, demonstrations were also given on dealing with contingencies in the workplace such as wounds, burns, and fractures. Other first aid cases common to the workplace such as heat stroke, stomach ache and headache, colds, cough and related sicknesses were also discussed. The trainees were also shown how to prepare their own first aid kit and its usage.

3. Occupational Hazards: This one-day course was organised to discuss and demonstrate the dangers of industrial noise, industrial chemicals, occupational stress, dust, industrial accidents, and radiation.

4. Women's occupational health and safety: This was a two-day training program designed to discuss the plight of women workers inside and outside the workplace. The role of union and health and safety committees to prevent further occupational diseases and industrial accidents was also discussed.

5. Trainers' Training: This four-day training course focused on providing union trainers with the skills and knowledge to train their members on occupational health and safety courses with an emphasis on both content and method.

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