OSHC - Info Corner

Philippine OSH Situationer

Labor Statistics

Source: National Statistics Office

OSH Facts and Figures

In 1998, a total of 5,298 work-related accidents was reported by 280 establishments to the DOLE's Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC).

Agriculture ranked with the highest number of accidents with 2,049 cases. Manufacturing came second with 1,659 cases. They were concentrated in food (540), textiles (278), non-metalic mineral (121), wood (110) and fabricated metal (100) This was followed by Construction with 1,123cases.

A total of 123,125 workers were involved in these accidents. This means that one (1) out of 23 workers in the reporting establishments suffered work injury in 1998. The biggest number of workers came from construction with 32,403 (26.3%) workers follwed by manufacturing with 32,063 (26%) workers.

The disabling injuries in 1998 incurred some 144,600 days lost and estimated total amount of P10.3M economic loss categorized as: compensation cost, P7,488,094.33; medical cost, P1,310,681.2; and burial cost, P1,437,573.00. It was noted that fatalities/deaths of workers incurred the highest economic loss amounting to P8 million followed by Temporary Total Disability with P2 million. Amount incurred by medical treatment/first aid cases was estimated at P514,040.25

Common accident victims were working as production and related workers, transport equipment operators and laborers, male, married, workers aged 26-30, with 1-5 years in service in the company assigned in the first shift.

Source: 1998 Work Accidents/Injuries Summary
BWC-DOLE

Work-Alert Cases:

In 1999, data showed that the construction industry ranked highest in number of accident cases with 78 cases, followed by manufacturing with 20 cases and services with 8 cases.

Falls - 11 cases

Struck or hit by falling objects/materials - 6 cases

Electrocution - 4 cases

Collapse of structure/excavation - 2 cases

Suffocation - 1 cases

Source : BWC Work Alert Data

What are the real problems surrounding the effective implementation of work safety and health?

Seven Main Issues and Problems Raised by OSH Experts

Low priority given to OSH concerns
Lack of awareness and education on OSH
Lack of trained OSH personnel
Weak enforcement of OSH Standards
Lack of OSH facilities in the regions
Need to reinforce information and research clearing house mechanisms
Statistics on Work Accident Prevention Program are not always reliable because there is a low rate of compliance, limited coverage, absence of strict penalties and fragmented OSH administration.

Labor Force Participation and Employment 2001
(in thousands except rates)

Source: National Statistics Office,
Labor Force Survey, 2001

Celebrate OSH All Year Round! (based on Proclamation No. 115-A and other New Memoranda)