GUIDELINES IN THE PREPARATION OF A BASIC SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM

GUIDELINES IN THE PREPARATION OF A BASIC

SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM

I. Leadership and Administration

1. A general policy statement reflecting management's positive attitude and

commitment to safety and health should be drafted and properly signed by at least

the highest operation official.

2. This should be posted in the central location of the mine or facility.

3. A permanent safety engineer and inspector as required should be designated as the

program coordinator and should report directly to the highest operation officer.

4. There should be a safety inspector assigned every shift.

5. A central Safety Committee should be established which is normally composed of the

chief operation officer, Department heads and employee's representative.

6. Safety and Health responsibilities should be included in every department heads and

supervisors job description.

ll. Organizational Rules

1. The company should formulate written general safety rules and regulation which can

be reinforced by standard operating procedures in all aspect of an operation.

2. The general safety and health rules should be written in languages/dialect used in the

mine, distributed to all employees and posted in central places.

3. Said rule should be periodically reviewed and revised when new technologies or new

equipment and/or facilities are introduced into the operation.

4. The company should have in its possession government safety and health rules and

regulations and other relevant regulations and standards.

III. Meetings

1. The central safety committee should meet at least once a month.

2. Department meetings on safety and health matters should be held at least once a

week.

3. Pep talks or toolbox meetings should be held before employees are deployed to their

respective workplaces.

IV. Management and Employee Training

1. Department managers and line supervisors should be given formal initial training on

safety and health in as much as they have safety and health responsibilities.

2. Orientation training on safety and health consciousness, responsibilities and on the

use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be administered to all new

employees before they are assigned to do specific work.

3. Specifically training on first-aid, mine rescue, firefighting, etc should be administered

on a continuing basis.

4. It is a must that the safety engineer and safety inspector are given formal training on

safety, health and loss control from organized outside agency. 

V. Planned Inspections

1. Planned general inspections with established frequency should be conducted on all

workplaces using a predetermined inspection list. Inspection checklist should be

updated from time to time.

2. All substandard conditions and practices observed during the inspections should be

reported in writing.

3. The same should be classified as to hazard potential.

4. The inspection report should be furnished to all department/s concerned for remedial

actions and follow-ups.

5. Employee representatives should be included in general inspections.

VI. Accident/lncident Investigation

1. A written standard procedure using a standard form for accident/incident

investigation should be formulated.

2. Line supervisors should be included in the reporting and investigation aspects of the

procedure.

3. All injuries, occupational illnesses, property damage, accident, and incidents should be

reported.

4. Accident costs should be recorded.

5. The company should establish a written procedure for ensuring that remedial actions

and follow-up is carried out as per investigation report recommendations.

VIII. Accident/lncident Analysis

1. Rates of disabling, non-disabling injuries and occupational illnesses should be

computed and communicated to department managers.

2. Injuries and illnesses should be analyzed by section, department and by the

organization as a whole.

3. Based on these analyses, appropriate policies could be implemented.

VIII. Health Control Services

1. Risks and health hazards in the work place should be identified and assessed.

2. To make regular monitoring of the factors in the working environment and working

practices which may affect the health of workers.

3. Employee's health in relation to their work should be monitored regularly.

4. The company should render emergency health services such as medicines/medical

supplies, first-aid and facilities such as emergency clinic/hospital, doctors and nurses.

5. Hazardous materials should be labeled properly with the following information:

a.) Nature of the hazard — health risks, fire risk, etc.

b.) Precaution in handling; and

c.) Emergency treatment

6. The following medical examinations should be administered to all employees:

a.) Pre-placement;

b.) Periodic or annual; 

c.) Return to work; and

d.) Separation from employment.

7. First aid facilities and equipment should be maintained at central points in the mine. Adequate trained first-aiders should be made available at least in every shift during all working hours.

IX. Emergency Preparedness

1. A coordinator should be appointed to administer the overall plan of the company. Such emergency plan should be documented and should include:

a.) Evacuation of people;

b.) Systematic shutdown of operations;

c.) Control of hazardous materials;

d.) Removal or protection of vital equipment and supplies;

e.) Designation of central control area;

f.) Search and rescue plan; and

g.) All clear and re-entry procedure.

2. Emergency teams should be put in place to deal with emergency situations and be supported with all appropriate equipment and facilities including emergency power and communication.

3. The host communities and LGUs concerned should have a participation in the emergency plan.

X. Good housekeeping

1. Good housekeeping should be maintained in all working places at all times.

2. The 5S system can be adopted.

Sort
Set in Order
Shine
Standardize
Sustain

XI. Personal Protective Equipment

1. Personal Protective Equipment should be provided to employees free of charge.

2. Training of employees on the importance of it's use, fitting and maintenance should be administered.

3. Wearing of PPEs should be strictly enforced at all times.

XII. Safety/Health Incentives

1. In order to reinforce the promotion of safety and health consciousness to all employees, corresponding incentives should be given.

2. Incentives could be in the forms of cash rewards, certificates, plaques, token, etc.

XIII. Community Consultation

1. From time to time the host and affected communities should be consulted in the preparation of the safety and health program.

2. Company operations, mitigating measured used in correcting safety and health risks, etc. should be disseminated to them.

3. As mentioned earlier they should be a part of the overall emergency preparedness program.