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The Philippines, Occupational Safety and Health Standards

RULE 1960

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

Source:
Occupational Safety and Health Standards (As Amended).
Bureau of Working Conditions, Department of Labour and
Employment, Manila, Philippines. Second Publication, as amended,
1990. Copyright Reserved per P.D. 49

RULE 1960

1961 : General Provisions:

(1)  Every employer shall establish in his place of employment
     occupational health services in accordance with the
     regulation and guidelines provided for under this rule.

(2)  The employer, the workers, and their representatives, where
     they exist, shall co- operate and participate in the
     implementation of the organizational and other measures
     relating to occupational health services.

1961.01 : Coverage:

(1)  This Rule shall apply to all establishments whether for
     profit or not, including the Government and any of its
     political subdivisions and government-owned or controlled
     corporations.

(2)  The Bureau of Dental Health Services of the Department of
     Health shall be responsible for the development and
     enforcement of dental standards.

1961.02 : Definitions:

As used in this Rule, except where the context clearly indicates
otherwise, the following terms shall mean as herein defined:

(1)  "Occupational Health Services" are services entrusted with
     essentially preventive functions and responsible for
     advising the employers, the workers, and their
     representatives, in the establishment/undertaking of the
     following:

(a)  The requirements for establishing and maintaining a safe
     and healthy working environment which will facilitate
     optimal physical and mental health in relation to work and

(b)  The adaptation of work to the capabilities of workers in
     the light of their state of physical arid mental health.

(2)  "Occupational Health Personnel" in an
     establishment/undertaking refers to the qualified
     first-aider, nurse, dentist, or physician, whose
     service/services have been engaged by the employer in order
     to provide occupational health services in the
     establishment/ undertaking.

(3)  "First Aid Treatment" means adequate, immediate and
     necessary medical and/or dental attendance or remedy given
     in case of injury or sudden illness suffered by the
     workers, irrespective of whether or not such illness/injury
     is occupational in nature, before more extensive medical
     and/or dental treatment can be secured. It does not include
     following treatment for an injury or illness.

(4)  "First Aider" means any person trained and duly certified
     or qualified to administer first-aid by the Philippine
     National Red Cross or by any organization accredited by the
     same.

(5)  "Occupational Health Practitioner" refers to a physician,
     nurse, engineer, dentist or chemist duly licensed to
     practice his/her profession in the Philippines and
     possessing all of the additional qualifications required
     under Rule 1964.01.

(6)  "Emergency Treatment Room" means any enclosed area or room
     equipped with the necessary medical facilities and
     supplies, and located within the premises of the
     establishment where workers maybe brought for examination
     and treatment of their injuries or illnesses in cases of
     emergency. 

(7)  "Emergency Clinic" means an enclosed area, room or
     building, located within the premises of the establishment,
     and equipped with the necessary medical facilities and
     supplies, where workers maybe brought for examination and
     treatment of their injuries or illnesses in cases of
     emergency, where more elaborate instruments and equipments
     (such as examining bed, oxygen tank) are made available for
     the workers, and where the services of a more competent
     medical staff are provided, who may handle or treat a few
     simple cases of injuries or illnesses needing short-term
     confinement, or may refer such cases to hospitals.

1961.03:  Occupational Health Services:

(1)  Functions: Without prejudice to the responsibility of each
     employer for the health and safety of the workers in his
     employment, and with due regard to the necessity for the
     workers to participate in matters of occupational health
     and safety, occupational health services shall have the
     following functions as are adequate and appropriate to the
     occupational risks of the establishment/undertaking.

(a)  Identification and assessment of the risks from health
     hazards in the workplace;

(b)  Surveillance of the factors in the working environment and
     working practices which may affect the worker's health,
     including sanitary installations, canteens, and housing
     where these facilities are provided by the employer;

(c)  Advice on planning and organization of work, including the
     design of the workplace, on the choice, maintenance, and
     condition of machinery and other equipment, and on
     substances used in work;

(d)  Participation in the development of programs for the
     improvement of working practices as well as testing and
     evaluation of health aspects of new equipment;

(e)  Advice on occupational health, safety and hygiene, and on
     ergonomics and individual and collective protective
     equipment;

(f)  SurveiLlance of worker's health in relation to work;

(g)  Promoting the adaptation of work to the workers;

(h)  Collaboration in providing information, training and
     education in the fields of occupational health and hygiene
     and ergonomics;

(i)  Organizing of first-aid and emergency treatment; and

(j)  Participation in analysis of occupational accidents and
     occupational diseases.

1961.04 : Organization and Preventive Services: 

(1)  Occupational health services maybe organized by: 

(a)  the establishment/undertaking 

(b)  government authorities or official services recognized by
     the Bureau 

(c)  social security institution 

(d)  any other bodies authorized by the Bureau

(e)  a combination of any of the above. 

(2)  Occupational health services organized as a service for a
     single small scale establishment shall have an occupational
     health practitioner as one of its personnel, who shall
     conduct an inspection of the workplace:

(a)  at least once every two (2) months for hazardous
     small-scale establishments employing 1 to 50 workers;

(b)  at least once every month for hazardous small-scale
     establishments employing 51 to 99 workers;

(c)  at least once every six (6) months for non-hazardous
     establishments employing 1 to 99 workers. 

(3)  Occupational health services organized as a service for a
     single, non-hazardous medium-scale establishment employing
     100 to 199 workers, shall have an occupational health
     practitioner as one of its personnel who shall conduct an
     inspection of the workplace at least once every three (3)
     months.

(4)  Occupational health services organized as a service for a
     single, hazardous medium scale establishment employing 100
     to 199 workers shall have a part time occupational health
     physician as one of its personneL who shall perform the
     duties of an occupational health physician as provided for
     under Rule 1965.02.

(5)  For hazardous and non-hazardous large-scale establishments
     employing 200 workers and more occupational health services
     shall be organized as a service solely for a single
     establishment/undertaking, and shall have a part time or
     full time occupational health physician, in accordance with
     the provisions of Rule 1963, as one of its personnel Such
     occupational health physician shall perform the duties of
     an occupational health physician as provided for under Rule
     1965.02.

(6)  When an occupational health service is organized as a
     service common to a number of establishments/undertakings,
     the following regulations shall be followed: 

(a)  for small-scale industries, the total number of
     establishments shall not exceed ten (10).

(b)  for medium-scale industries, the total number of
     estabLishments shall not exceed four (4).

1962 : Hazardous Workplace:

For purposes of this Rule, the Bureau shall, with the approval
of the Secretary, add from time to time to the List of hazardous
workplaces provided in Rule 1010.

1963 : Emergency Health Services

1963.01: Medicines and Facilities:

(1)  Every employer covered by this Rule shall keep in his
     workplace at least the minimum quantity of medicines,
     medical supplies and equipments and medical facilities
     listed in Table 9 (appendix) on medicines. Supplies and
     facilities, for the use of the workers employed in the
     establishment/undertaking.

(2)  The medicines, medical supplies and facilities prescribed
     in table 9 maybe substituted with other comparable
     medicines and/or facilities as prescribed by the
     occupational health physician of the workplace.

(3)  The medicines, medical supplies and facilities prescribed
     in table 9 shall be kept inside the treatment room/medical
     clinic required under Rule 1963.02, and shall be replaced
     with the same quantity immediately after use or
     consumption.

1963.02 : Emergency Medical and Dental Services:

Every employer covered by this rule shall provide his
employees/workers medical and dental services and facilities in
the following cases and manner:

(1)  For hazardous workplaces:

(a)  in small-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 1 to 50, the employer shall provide the services of a
     full-time first aider who maybe one of the workers in the
     workplace and who has immediate access to the first-aid
     medicines prescribed in Rule 1963.01. 

(b)  in small-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 51 to 99, the employer shall provide the services of
     a part-time occupational health nurse who shall stay in the
     premises of the workplace at least four (4) hours a day,
     six (6) times a week. Where there are more than one work
     shift in a day: the nurse shall stay in the workplace
     during the shift which has the biggest number of workers.
     The employer shall also provide the services of a full time
     first-aider and shall maintain in his place of employment
     an emergency treatment room|for his workers.

(c)  in medium-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 100 to 199, the employer shall provide the services of
     a part-time occupational health physician and a part-time
     dentist each of whom shall stay in the premises of the
     workplace at least four (4) hours a day, three (3) times a
     week, and each one working on alternate days with the
     other, where there are more than one work shift in a day,
     the physician and the dentist shall stay in the workplace
     during the shift which has the biggest number of workers.
     In addition, the services of a full-time occupational
     health nurse and a full-time first-aider shall be provided.
     The employer shall maintain in his place of employment an
     emergency treatment room for his workers.

(d)  in large-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 200 to 600, the employer shall provide the services of
     a part-time occupational health physician and a part-time
     dentist each of whom shall stay in the premises of the
     workplace at least four (4) hours a day, six (6) times a
     week and each working in alternate periods with the other,
     where there are more than one work shift in a day, the
     physician and the dentist shall stay at the workplace
     during the shift which has the biggest number of workers.
     The services of a full-time occupational health nurse and
     a full-time first-aider shall also be provided. The
     employer shall maintain in his place of employment an
     emergency medical clinic for his workers.

(e)  in large-scale industries, where the number of workers is
     from 601 to 2000, the employer shall provide the services
     of a full-time occupational health physician who shall stay
     in the premises of the workplace eight (8) hours a day, six
     (6) times a week or two (2) part-time occupational health
     physician each working four (4) hours a day, six (6) times
     a week in alternate periods with the other. The services of
     a full-time dentist shall also be provided. The physician
     and the dentist shall stay at the workplace during the
     shift which has the biggest number of workers. The services
     of a full-time occupational health nurse and a full-time
     first-aider shall be provided for every work shift. The
     employer shall maintain in his place of employment an
     emergency medical and dental clinic for his workers.

(f)  in large-scale industries where the number of workers is
     more than 2000, the employer shall provide the services of
     a full-time occupational health physician and a full-time
     dentist, each of whom shall stay in the premises of the
     workplace eight (8) hours a day, six (6) times a week
     during the work shift which has the biggest number of
     workers. In addition, the employer shall provide the
     services of one (1) part-time occupational health physician
     for each of the other work shifts who shall stay in the
     premises of the workplace at least four (4) hours a day,
     six (6) times a week. The services of a full-time
     occupational health nurse and a full-time first-aider shall
     also be provided for every work shift. The employer shall
     maintain in his place of employment an emergency hospital
     having a bed capacity of one (1) bed for every one hundred
     (100) workers in a dental clinic.

(g)  every employer of industries/establishments having
     factories/plants using or producing pesticides under
     toxicity categories I and III of the World Health
     Organization (WHO) toxicity classification standards shall
     provide for his workers the following:

     (i)  a medical clinic within 100 meters of working area in
          the formulating/manufacturing plant. 

     (ii) the services of a competent full-time occupational
          health physician who shall stay in the medical clinic
          provided for above, at least eight (8) hours a day
          during the work shift which has the biggest number of
          workers:

    (iii) a bathroom with shower and eyewash facilities within
          or beside the medical clinic provided for above, and

     (iv) an examining table with capacity to allow
          trendelenburg position.

(2)  For non-hazardous workplaces:

(a)  in small-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 1 to 99, the employer shall provide the services of
     full-time first-aider who maybe one of the workers in the
     workplace and who has immediate access to the first-aid
     medicines prescribed under Rule 1963.01. Where the number
     of workers is from 51 to 99, an emergency treatment room
     shall be provided.

(b)  in medium-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 100 to 199, the employer shall provide the services of
     a part-time occupational health nurse who shall stay in the
     premises of the workplace at least four (4) hours a day,
     six (6) times a week. Where there are more than one work
     shift in a day, the nurse shall stay in the workplace
     during the shift which has the biggest number of workers.
     The employer shall also provide the services of a full-time
     first-aider and shall maintain in his place of employment
     an emergency treatment room for his workers.

(c)  in large-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 200 to 600, the employer shall provide the services of
     a part-time occupational health physician and a part-time
     dentist each of whom shall stay in the premises of the
     workplace at least four (4) hours a day, three (3) times a
     week, on alternate days with the other. Where there are
     more than one work shift in a day, the physician and the
     dentist shall stay in the workplace during the shift which
     has the biggest number of workers. In addition, the
     services of a full-time occupational health nurse and a
     full-time first-aider shall be provided. The employer shall
     maintain in his place of employment an emergency treatment
     room for his workers.

(d)  in large-scale industries where the number of workers is
     from 601 to 2000, the employer shall provide the services
     of a part-time occupational health physician and a
     part-time dentist each of whom shall stay in the premises
     of the workplace at least four (4) hours a day, six (6)
     times a week working in alternate periods with the other.
     Where there are more than one work shift in a day, the
     physician and the dentist shall stay in the workplace
     during the shift which has the biggest number of workers.
     The employer shall also provide the services of a full-time
     occupational health nurse and a full-time first-aider, and
     maintain in his place of employment an emergency clinic for
     his workers.

(e)  in large-scale industries where the number of workers is
     more than 2000, the employer shall provide the services of
     a full-time occupational health physician and a full-time
     dentist, each of whom shall stay in the premises of the
     workplace eight (8) hours a day, six (6) times a week
     during the workshift which has the biggest number of
     workers. In addition, the employer shall provide the
     services of one part-time occupational health physician for
     each of the other workshift who shall stay in the premises
     of the workplace at least four (4) hours a day, six (6)
     times a week. The employer shall also provide the services
     of a full-time occupational health nurse for every work
     shift. The employer shall provide the services of a
     full-time first-aider and shall maintain in his place of
     employment an emergency medical and dental clinic for his
     workers.

(3)  For both hazardous and non-hazardous workplaces:

(a)  where there are more than one (1) work shift in a day, the
     employer shall, in addition to the requirements of this
     rule, provide the services of a full-time first-aider for
     every work shift.

(b)  where only a treatment room is provided by the employer
     under this rule, he shalt in addition, provide for his
     workers in case of emergency, access to the nearest
     medical/dental clinic or to a medical/dental clinic located
     not more than five (5) kilometers away from the workplace.
     Such access shall be in the form of providing the necessary
     transportation facilities and a written agreement with the
     medical/dental clinic to attend to such emergencies brought
     to them. 

(c)  the physician/dentist required to stay in the workplace
     during the workshift having the biggest number of workers
     shall be subject to call at anytime during the other shifts
     to attend to emergencies.

1963.03 : Emergency Hospital:

(1)  An employer may not establish an emergency hospital or
     dental clinic in his workplace as required in these
     regulations where there is a hospital or dental clinic
     which is located not more than five (5) kilometers away
     from the workplace, if situated in any urban area, or which
     can be reached in twenty-five (25) minutes of travel, if
     situated in a rural area, and the employer has facilities
     readily available for transporting workers to the hospital
     or clinic in case of emergency. For purposes of this Rule,
     the employer shall enter into a written contract with the
     hospital or dental clinic for the use of such
     clinic/hospital in the treatment of workers in case of
     emergency. However, this shall not excuse the employer from
     maintaining in his place of employment an emergency
     treatment room for his workers.

1963.04 : Contracts for Occupational Health Services:

(1)  Contracts for occupational health practitioner services
     entered into by employer shall only be with occupational
     health practitioners and/or occupational health clinics
     accredited by the bureau, or with an agency/institution/
     organization duly authorized or recognized by the bureau.

(2)  No occupational health practitioner, whether acting singly
     or as a part of a group/ association, shall enter into a
     contract for occupational health practitioner services with
     more than ten (10) establishments.

(3)  No part-time occupational health physician/nurse shall
     enter into contract for occupational health services with
     more than four (4) establishments.

(4)  When a full-time occupational health physician/nurse who is
     also a qualified occupational health practitioner, has
     entered into a contract for occupational health services
     with one (1) establishment, he/she shall not engage
     himself/herself, with or without a written contract, for
     the same services with any other establishment.

(5)  Under no circumstances shall an employer enter into a
     retainership contract for health services in place of the
     occupational health services provided for under Rule 1960.

(6)  The employer shall furnish the Bureau and the Regional
     Labor Office concerned a copy each of the contract for
     Occupational Health Services.

1964 : Training and Qualifications:

1964.01 : Qualifications:

(1)  A first-aider must be able to read and write and must have
     completed a course in first-aid conducted by the Philippine
     National Red Cross or any organization accredited by the
     same.

(2)  A nurse must have passed the examination given by the Board
     of Examiners for Nurses and duly licensed to practice
     nursing in the Philippines with at least fifty (50) hours
     of Basic training in occupational nursing conducted by the
     Bureau/Regional Office concerned, the College of Public
     Health of the University of the Philippines, or by any
     institution/organization accredited by the former.

(3)  A physician, whether part-time or full-time, must have
     passed the examination given by the Board of Examiners for
     Physicians, is licensed to practice medicine in the
     Philippines, and a graduate of Basic training course in
     occupational medicine conducted by the Bureau, the College
     of Public Health of the University of the Philippines, or
     by any institution/organization duly accredited by the
     former.

(4)  A physician engaged by the employer of a hazardous
     establishment employing more than 2,000 workers, to be its
     full-time occupational health physician must have, in
     addition to the qualifications required under Rule 1964.01
     (3), a diploma or master's degree in occupational health or
     industrial health or its equivalent or completed a
     residency training program in occupational medicine, must
     be duly certified by the Bureau, and must have registered
     with the Regional Labor Office.

(5)  A dentist, whether part-time or full-time, must have passed
     the examination given by the Board of Examiners for
     Dentists, is licensed to practice dentistry in the
     Philippines, and has completed a basic training course in
     occupational dentistry conducted by the Bureau of Dental
     Health Services of the Department of Health or any
     organization duly accredited by the same.

(6)  An occupational health practitioner, as defined under Rule
     1961.02, must have all of the following qualifications:

a.   a graduate of an advanced training course in occupational
     health and safety conducted by the bureau, the College of
     Public Health of the University of the Philippines, or any
     institution/organization duly authorized/accredited or
     recognized by the former; 

b.   must have had at least five (5) years experience in the
     field of, or practice of occupational health and safety;

c.   must be duly certified/accredited by the Bureau; 

d.   must have registered with the Regional Office concerned.

1964.02 : Opportunity for Training:

(1)  Nurses, physicians and dentists who do not possess the
     special training qualifications provided for in Rule
     1964.01 shall, within six (6) months from the date of
     employment, comply with this requirement.

(2)  All employers without the required trained first-aider on
     the date of affectivity of this Standards shall, within six
     (6) months have the required number of his workers under-
     go the prescribed training in first-aid.

1964.03 : Refresher Training:

The occupational health personnel and the first-aiders of every
establishment shall undergo a minimum of eight (8) hours
refresher training course in their respective fields at least
once a year.

1965 : Duties of Employers:

1965.01 :

It shall be the duty of every employer to:

(1)  Establish in his workplace occupational health services to
     provide a healthful place of work;

(2)  Adopt and implement a comprehensive health program for his
     workers;

(3)  Enter into a contract with hospitals or dental clinics, if
     these are not available in his workplace; and

(4)  Maintain a health record of his programs and activities and
     submit an annual medical report, using form DOLE/BWC/HSD/
     OH-47, to the Regional Labor Office concerned, copy
     furnished the Bureau of Working Conditions on or before the
     last day of March of the year following the covered period.

1965.02: Duties of the Occupational Health Physician:

The Occupational Health Physician, whether part-time or
full-time, who shall be responsible for promoting and maintaining
the health and well-being of the workers, shall have the
following duties and functions:

(1)  Organize, administer and maintain an occupational health
     service program integrating therein an occupational safety
     program;

(2)  Continually monitor the work environment for health hazards
     through periodic inspection of the workplace;

(3)  Prevent diseases or injury in the workplace by establishing
     proper medical supervision over substances used, processes,
     and work environment;

(4)  Conserve the health of the workers through physical
     examinations, proper advice for placement and health
     education;

(5)  Provide medical and surgical care to restore health and
     earning capacity of injured workers;

(6)  Maintain and analyze records of all medical cases and to
     prepare and submit to the employer annual medical reports,
     using form DOLE/BWC/OH-47, as required by this Standards;

(7)  Conduct studies on occupational health within his means and
     resources;

(8)  Act as adviser to management and labor on all health
     matters;

(9)  And report directly to top management in order to be
     effective.

1965.03 : Duties of the Dentist:

The duties of the dentist in the workplace shall be in accordance
with the Standards prescribed by the Bureau of Dental Health
Services, Department of Health.

1965.04 : Duties of the Occupational Health Nurse:

The duties and functions of the Occupational Health Nurse are:

(1)  In the absence of a physician, to organize and administer
     a health service program integrating occupational safety,
     otherwise, these activities of the nurse shall be in
     accordance with the physician;

(2)  Provide nursing care to injured or ill workers;

(3)  Participate in health maintenance examination. If a
     physician is not available, to perform work activities
     which are within the scope allowed by the nursing
     profession, and if more extensive examinations are needed,
     to refer the same to a physician,

(4)  Participate in the maintenance of occupational health and
     safety by giving suggestions in the improvement of working
     environment affecting the health and well-being of the
     workers; and

(5)  Maintain a reporting and records system, and, if a
     physician is not available, prepare and submit an annual
     medical report, using form DOLE/BWC/HSD/OH-47, to the
     employer, as required by this Standards.

1965.05 : Duties of the First-Aider:

The duties of the First-Aider are to:

(1)  Give immediate temporary treatment in case of injury or
     illness, before the services of a physician becomes
     available. If the case needs a physician, the first-aider
     shall immediately call or refer the injured to one;

(2)  Participate in the maintenance of occupational safety and
     health programs, if a member of the Safety Committee; and

(3)  Maintain medical services and facilities.

1965.06 : Duties of the Occupational Health Practitioner:

The duties of the occupational health practitioner are to:

(1)  Advise the employers, the workers and their representatives
     in the workplace the necessary requirements in establishing
     and maintaining a safe and healthful working environment
     which will facilitate optimal physical and mental health
     for workers;

(2)  Conduct periodic inspection of the workplace as required
     under Rule 1961.04;

(3)  Act as adviser to the employer, workers and their
     representatives in matters concerning the organization,
     administration and maintenance of-an occupational health
     program; and

(4)  Maintain a reporting and records system and prepare and
     submit an annual medical report to the employer, using form
     DOLE/BWC/HSD/OH-47, as required by this Standards.

1966 : Occupational Health Program:

1966.01 :

The employer shall organize and maintain an occupational health
program to achieve the following objective:

(1)  Assess the worker's physical, emotional and psychological
     assets as well as his liabilities in order to facilitate
     his proper placement and ensure the suitability of
     individuals according to their physical capacities, mental
     abilities and emotional make-up in work which they can
     perform with an acceptable degree of efficiency without
     endangering their own health and safety and that of their
     co-workers;

(2)  Protect employees against health hazards in their working
     environment in order to prevent occupational as well as
     non-occupational diseases;

(3)  Provision for first-aid, emergency services and treatment
     depending on the nature of the industry;

(4)  Assure adequate medical care of ill and injured workers;

(5)  Encourage personal health maintenance and physical fitness
     and proper nutrition practices; and 

(6)  Provide guidance, information and services for family
     planning programs.

1966.02:

The Health Program shall include the following activities:

(1)  Maintenance of a healthful work environment by requiring
     occupational health personnel to conduct regular appraisal
     of sanitation conditions, periodic inspection of premises,
     including all facilities therein, and evaluate the working
     environment in order to detect and appraise occupational
     health- hazards and environmental conditions affecting
     comfort and job efficiency;

(2)  Health Examinations: 
     a) Entrance; 
     b) Periodic; 
     c) Special examination; 
     d) Transfer examination; 
     e) Separation examination.

(3)  Diagnosis and treatment of all injuries and occupational
     and non-occupational diseases; 

(4)  Immunization programs; and

(5)  Accurate and complete medical records of each worker
     starting from his first examination or treatment, which
     must be under the exclusive custody and control of the
     occupational health personneL Such records shall be made
     available to.the worker or his duly authorized
     representative and shall not be used for discriminatory
     purpose or in any other manner prejudicial to his interest.

(6)  Health Education and Counselling in which the occupational
     health and safety personnel shall cooperate with the
     supervisors in imparting appropriate health and safety
     information to employees, such as health hazards and proper
     precautions, habits of deadliness, orderliness, safe work
     practices, use and maintenance of available personal
     protective clothing and devices, and the use of available
     health services and facilities; and

(7)  Nutrition program which shall be under the dietician and
     supervised by a physician if the latter is present.

1967 : Physical Examination:

(1)  All workers, irrespective of age and sex, shall undergo
     physical examination:

     a.   before entering employment for the first time;

     b.   periodically, or at such intervals as may be necessary
          on account of the conditions or risks involved in the
          work;

     c.   when transferred or separated from employment; and d.
          when injured or ill.

(2)  All examinations shall:

     a.   be complete and thorough;

     b.   be rendered free of charge to the workers; and

     c.   include x-ray or special laboratory examinations when
          necessary due to the peculiar nature of the
          employment.

(3)  The results of these physical examinations shall be
     recorded carefully and legibly on appropriate forms by the
     health service personnel charged with such responsibility.

(4)  Records of physical examinations and all information
     obtained by the health personnel shall be considered
     strictly confidential. 

1967.01 : Pre-employment/Pre placement Physical Examinations:

(1)  Pre-employment Physical examination shall be conducted:

a.   to determine the physical condition of the prospective
     employee at the time of hiring; and 

b.   to prevent the placement of a worker on a nob where,
     through some physical or mental defects, he may be
     dangerous to his fellow workers or to property.

(2)  Pre-employment physical examination shall: 

a.   be a general clinical examination including special
     laboratory examinations when necessary due to the peculiar
     nature of the worker's prospective employment; 

b.   include chest x-ray examinations. Under the following
     circumstances, x-ray examinations shall be rendered free of
     charge. 

     i.   where the employer or establishment is required by
          these Rules to engage the services of an Occupational
          Health physician and where there are x-ray facilities
          in the establishment; 

     ii.  where the employer does not maintain such facilities,
          x-Fay examinations shall be conducted by; 

          aa. government clinics or hospitals; 
          bb. the occupational health physician; and 
          cc. private clinics or hospitals when applicants are 
              referred to them. 

     iii. in all other instances, the applicant shall pay the
          cost of the examination.

(3)  At the completion of the examination, the applicant shall
     be rated as follows: 

     CLASS A-Physically fit for any work 

     CLASS B-Physically under-developed or with correctable
     defects, (error of refraction, dental caries, defective
     hearing, and other similar defects) but otherwise fit to
     work.

     CLASS C-Employable but owing to certain impairments or
     conditions, (heart disease, hypertension, anatomical
     defects) requires special placement or limited duty in a
     specified or selected assignment requiring follow-up
     treatment/periodic evaluation.

     CLASS D-Unfit or unsafe for any type of employment (active
     PTB, advanced heart disease with threatened failure,
     malignant hypertension, and other similar illnesses).

1967.02 : During Employment:

1967.03 : Periodic Annual Medical Examinations:

Periodic annual medical examinations shall be conducted in order
to follow up previous findings, to allow early detection of
occupational and non-occupational diseases, and determine the
effect of exposure of employees to health hazards. These
examinations:

(1)  Shall be as complete and as thorough as the pre-employment
     examinations and include general clinical examinations.

(2)  Shall include all special examinations and/or
     investigations deemed necessary for the diagnosis of these
     diseases which will be free of charge in case the workers
     are exposed to occupational health hazards.

(3)  Shall include, whenever feasible, a chest x-ray examination
     at least once a year which shall be rendered free of charge
     to the workers.

(4)  Shall be as frequent as the nature of employment may
     warrant taking into consideration the special hazards
     involved and their relative importance.

(5)  Shall include regular biochemical monitoring which shall be
     conducted free of charge for workers exposed to toxic
     substances/pesticides classified under toxicity categories
     I and II of the World Health Oganization (WHO) toxicity
     classification standards.

(6)  Shall have an internal of not longer than one year between
     two (2) consecutive periodic physical examinations.

1967.04 :

In occupations where there is a risk to the health of the worker
either due to toxic substances they handle or of the environment
in which they work, only persons who are pronounced medically fit
shall be employed.

1967.05 :

When occupational disease have been detected in workers and
continued employment might jeopardize their health, their
employment shall be discontinued until after their complete or
satisfactory recovery. If circumstances permit, such workers
shall meanwhile be given some other job consistent with their
state of health and which shall not impede or retard.their
recovery.

1967.06 : Transfer Examinations:

Applicants examined for employment and accepted for specific work
or job shall not be transferred to another work or job until they
have been examined by the physician and certified that the
transfer is medically advisable.

1967.07 : Other Special Examinations:

Special examinations may be required where there is undue
exposure to health hazards, such as lead, mercury, hydrogen
sulfide, sulfur dioxide, nitroglycol and other similar
substances.

1967.08 : Return to Work Examinations: 

A return to work examination shall be conducted: 

(1)  to detect if illness of the worker is still contagious; 

(2)  to determine whether the worker is fit to return to work,
     and

(3)  After prolonged absence for health reasons, for the purpose
     of determining its possible occupational causes.

1967.09 : Separation from Employment Examination:

An employee leaving the employment of the company shall, if
necessary, be examined by the occupational health physician:

(1)  to determine if the employee is suffering from any
     occupational disease;

(2)  to determine whether he is suffering from any injury or
     illness which has not completely healed; and

(3)  to determine whether he has sustained an injury. 

The International Labour Organization is a United Nations specialized agency.

Updated by PAP/SUT/TRS. Approved by BKL. Last updated on 5 March 2001