Oroquieta zipline crew take part on occupational safety and health

To further boost the government’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of the city’s workplaces, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. (DOLE-X) conducted the Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) orientation seminar to the 13 staff of the Tourism Department of Ozamiz city’s Local Government Unit (LGU).    

DOLE Misamis Occidental Provincial Field Office Chief Leonardo G. Rodrigo lauded the LGU on their joint efforts in ensuring the health and safety of the workers in all the establishments within the city, which has always been DOLE’s priority.     

“It is really necessary to equip our workers with adequate awareness and basic knowledge on OSH practices to reduce the occurrence of work-related hazards, illnesses and accidents in the industries,” Rodrigo said.    

The orientation seminar focused on the hazards from chemical, biological, physical and ergonomics, as well as, the issues and concerns on OSH standards and the report on the number of diseases and deaths from work-related accidents.    

In the open forum, the attendees realized that being responsible with the actions at work and above all, workers’ safety and protection must always come first in establishing the growth and sustainability of the company. This was especially appreciated to the workers in the zipline business where clients and workers are exposed to a number of hazards, hence requiring more extensive protection.    

Oro Zipline team leader Jhopy Bongcayao said, “Wala ko nag-expect na in-ani ka seryoso ang pag-identify initially sa hazards sa workplace kay in the long run, if dili ma address ang mga hazards, maka cause siya ug dako na aksidente in the future nga makakuha ug kinabuhi. Dako mi ug pasalamat sa DOLE kay tungod ani nga seminar, nasabtan namo ang importansya sa toolbox meetings para ma aware ang kada usa sa among responsibilidad towards safety. After all, prevention is still the best remedy.”    

(We did not expect how serious it is to initially identify the hazards in the workplace because in the long run, if those hazards will not be addressed, this will lead to huge accidents in the future that can waste life. We are thankful to DOLE because thru this seminar, we were able to understand the importance of toolbox meetings so each of us will be aware of our responsibilities towards safety. After all, prevention is still the best remedy.)    

Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Mark Artigas likewise responded, “We are helping in accelerating and intensifying our efforts to ensure the OSH practices are deep-rooted into our work culture. Our aim is to help DOLE attain better, safer, and sustainable condition in all workplaces in the city.” (Lorraine M. Roa/DOLE-X Mis. Occ. PFO)