Safety training for construction

HI Ma’am,

I’m Jericho Campos of Iloilo City. I’m a contractor for construction projects. I would like to ask DOLE about two of my concerns.

My workers are all on a project basis. Do I need to pay for their SSS, Philhealth and PagIBIG? They normally work for only one to two months because I only use manpower where my projects are located.

My second concern is about Occupational Safety. As a contractor, is it mandatory to undergo occupational safety training? Where and how do I undergo such training? Is there any fee or is it subsidized by the government?

I am hoping for your immediate reply. Thanks and more power.
Jericho Campos,

Iloilo City

REPLY:

Dear Mr. Jericho Campos,

Yes, I encourage you to take the mandatory 40-hour Construction Safety Training along with your safety officers.
Construction companies and sub-contractors are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) to have a sufficient number of safety officers. Because construction entails hazardous processes to environment, then companies must subscribe to the minimum number of safety officers:

1-50 workers: 1 full-time safety officer
51-200 workers: 1 full-time and 1 part-time safety officer
201-250 workers: 2 full-time safety officers
251-500 workers: 2 full-time and 1 part-time safety officers
Every additional 250 or a fraction thereof: 1 additional full-time safety officer
– (OSHS Rule 1033)

Safety officers are required to undergo the mandatory, 40-hour Construction Safety Training. This is provided for by the OSHC for a training fee of P3,500. You may also opt to attend the Construction Safety Training conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Networks in each region or private safety training organizations accredited by the DOLE (please check the list of accredited safety training organizations at the OSHC website: www.oshc.dole.gov.ph).

The OSHC also provides free Construction Safety Training for workers from small construction companies, recommended by the DOLE Regional Offices. If you want to join the free training, please coordinate with the nearest DOLE Regional Office.
Thank you so much for your initiative in asking these questions and wanting to be compliant to the OSHS. God bless.

Diana Joy G. Romero
Information Officer III
Occupational Safety and Health Center
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