The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Kalinga emphasizes the importance of prioritizing worker safety and to strictly adhere to the national safety and health labor standards.
Emmanuel Barcellano, Senior Labor and Employment Officer, highlighted that compliance with safety protocols helps manage risks and reduce occupational hazards, which in turn sustains productivity.
In his Safety Protocols, Best Practices and Customer Service Skills lecture during the garbage collectors and drivers training, Barcellano pointed out several common work safety violations such as lack of proper equipment, unsafe working environments, inadequate signage, and insufficient training.
He cited that special safety concerns for garbage collectors also include exposure to toxic gases, dust, and sharp objects.
Globally, data shows that 50% of work-related deaths occur in Asia, with fatality rates significantly higher in developing countries, thus, DOLE is urging management and their workers to follow stricter safety measures, recognizing that accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. By Darwin Serion
