Federal laws across different countries state that employees are entitled to a safe workplace. Employers are expected to provide a workplace free of any safety hazards and employees are encouraged to speak up of any concerns they may have in their working environment.
In the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines released a Memorandum Circular No. 01 Series of 2000 on Implementing Guidelines for the Conduct of Workplace Environment Assessment (WEA) in Hazardous Establishments and Work Processes. This is in the interest of protecting the welfare of workers from hazardous conditions and work processes in establishments and to institutionalize WEA as part of regular inspections.
This serves as a reminder for organizations to re-visit employees' work conditions and go the extra mile to ensure that both the physical and chemical hazards affecting the industrial hygiene of workers are in place.
WEM is the sampling and analysis carried out in respect of atmospheric working environment and other fundamental elements or working environment for the purpose of promoting and maintaining the health of workers. It is the measurement of contaminants in a workroom. This helps pinpoint work areas with high or low exposure of contaminants.
Source: (Philippines) Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Rule 1077.02
In 2014, TÜV Rheinland Philippines launched a service called Work Environment Measurement under Lifecare Services which aims to conduct measurement for both physical and chemical hazards affecting industrial hygiene of workers in the workplace; help prevent workplace illnesses and injuries; and provide consultation on health and safety regulations that help workplaces avoid fines and penalties.
There are three major parameters covered for WEM: physical, chemical, and industrial ventilation. Physical parameters include the illumination, noise, heat stress, temperature and relative humidity; chemical parameters on the other hand covers organic solvents, heavy metals, dust, acid/inorganic chemicals, toxic gases; and industrial ventilation consists of air movement, air direction, air exchange rate, local exhaust ventilation.
With the enhanced services for WEM, TÜV Rheinland Philippines have included the following processes:
- Pre – analysis (first day of service): Presentation of Project Daily Time Schedule (PDTS) and establishment of WEM activity expectations on both parties.
- Post – analysis (last day of service): initial report generation wherein WEM Industrial Hygienist presents the reports on physical parameters only. Questions and clarifications regarding WEM activity can be raised during the discussion.
- Project Daily Time Schedule: Timely schedule of measurement of the service.
- Certificate of Completion: Official document included in the Final WEM Report set forth the parameters measured has been completed in accordance with the terms and conditions, specifications and based on Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Memorandum Circular No. 01 Series of 2000.
Since the launch of the service, TÜV Rheinland Philippines has issued a total of 79 WEM Certificates of Completion from various industries and continue to help different sectors promote a safer workplace for their employees. This service is available for all interested organizations from different industries.
For more information, you may call us at (02) 812-8887 or email us at info@phl.tuv.com
For more information on our Work Environment Measurement (WEM) solutions, please visit our website or contact us to speak to one of our experts.
