Department Order 73-05

Guidelines for the Implementation of

Policy & Program on TB Prevention &
Control in the Workplace.

Presented by:

JAYSON A. ACERON, ME
Labor Inspector / Technical Safety Inspector
DOLE Laguna Provincial Office
Types of Health Hazards
Physical Chemical

Ergonomics
Biological
 Why do workers get sick?
Age

Medical
History

Sex

Lifestyle Workplace
Hazards
Genetic
Factors
Workplace Conditions that Influence Effects of
Health Hazards to the Worker

Frequency of
exposure
Physical Duration of
properties Exposure

Timing of
Multiplicity of
exposure
Workplace Hazards exposure

Magnitude of
exposure
Biological Hazards

 Bacteria
 Virus
 Fungi
 Insects
 Biological Hazards
Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB)
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria
(Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most
often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is
curable and preventable. TB is spread from
person to person through the air. When
people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit,
they propel the TB germs into the air.

•Primarily affects the lungs, but can

damage other organ systems
 Signs and Symptoms of PTB
• Cough that lasts more than
two (2) weeks
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Feeling weak and tired
• Losing weight
• Decreased or no appetite
• Chest pains
• Coughing up blood
 DOLE’S MISSION
 To promote the health & productivity of the
workforce, a multi-sectoral group shall
implement effective & sustainable
prevention programs by dissemination
information, building capability of
implementers, enacting appropriate laws and
strengthening linkages.

 To attain this mission, it is essential to forge

a solid partnership among stakeholders, with
the government as the lead agency, in the
systematic pursuit of an adequate prevention
response.
 D.O. 73-05

Legal Basis E.O. 187, Instituting a comprehensive & Unified Policy for TB Control in
the Philippines

Coverage All establishments, workplaces and worksites in the private sector

Requirements Formulation of a Workplace Policy & Program on TB Prevention & Control

 Shall be made an integral of the enterprise’s OSH and other related

workplace programs.
 Management & labor representatives shall jointly develop the TB
workplace policy and program aligned with E.O. and D.O.
 Included as part of the Collective bargaining Agreements (for organized
establishments).

Effectivity All concerned shall comply with all the provisions of this
D.O. within 30 days from publication in a newspaper of
general circulation.
 2. MEDICAL
MANAGEMENT

3. RECORDING,
REPORTING & SETTING-UP
1. PREVENTIVE OF DATABASE
STRATEGIES

5. ROLES &
COMPONENTS RESPONSIBILITIES OF
EMPLOYERS

4. SOCIAL POLICY

7. IMPLEMENTATION &
MONITORING

6. ROLES &
RESPONSIBILITIES OF
WORKERS WITH TB OR AT
RISK FOR TB
PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES
• TB awareness program shall be
undertaken through information
dissemination.
• Awareness program shall deal with the
nature, frequency, and transmission,
treatment with Directly Observed
Treatment Short Course (DOTS), control &
management of TB in the workplace.
 DOTS Strategy - the Solution!
Directly Observed Therapy Short Course

With ---
90% DOTS Cure Rate
 DOTS is a comprehensive strategy to control TB,
and is composed of 5 components:
Political will or commitment, ensuring sustained & quality TB
treatment & control activities.
Case detection by sputum smear microscopy among symptomatic
patients.
Complete drug taking through direct observation by a designated
treatment partner, during the whole course of the treatment regimen.
A regular, uninterrupted supply of all essential anti-TB drugs & other
materials.
Standard reporting and recording system that allows assessment of
the overall performance of the control program.
IMPROVING WORKPLACE CONDITIONS

 To ensure that contamination from TB

airborne particles is controlled, workplaces must
provide adequate & appropriate ventilation
(Rule 1076.01 of the OSHS) and adequate
sanitary facilities.
The number of workers in a work area shall
not exceed the required number of workers for
a specified area and shall observe the
standards for space requirement.
RULE 1070 - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

1076: General Ventilation

1076.01: Atmospheric Conditions

Suitable atmospheric conditions shall be

maintained in workrooms by natural or artificial
means to avoid insufficient air supply, stagnant or
vitiated air, harmful drafts, excessive heat or cold,
sudden variations in temperature, and where
practicable, excessive humidity or dryness and
objectionable odors.
1077: Working Environment Measurement

1077.01: General Provisions

The employer shall exert efforts to maintain and control the

working environment in comfortable and healthy conditions
for the purpose of promoting and maintaining the health of
his workers.

1077.02: Definitions

Working environment measurement shall mean sampling and

analysis carried out in respect of the atmospheric working
environment and other fundamental elements of working
environment for the purpose of determining actual conditions
therein.
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
• All establishments shall adopt the DOTS in the
management of workers with TB and their
dependents.
• TB case findings, Case holding, and reporting and
recording of cases shall be in accordance with
Comprehensive Unified Policy (CUP) and the
national TB Control Program (NTP).
• TB benefits Policy of ECC, SSS, and Philhealth.
RECORDING, REPORTING & SETTING-UP
A DATABASE
• In compliance with DOLE requirements for
reporting of illnesses & injuries in the
workplace, companies shall report all
diagnosed cases of TB to DOLE using the
appropriate form.
• SSS shall report members who applied for
Disability Benefit for TB to the Phil. Coalition
Against TB (PhilCAT) or other such body
designated to manage the National TB
Database.
 NON-DISCRIMINATION

SOCIAL
WORK ACCOMODATION
POLICY

RESTORATION TO WORK
 WORKERS who have symptoms
of TB shall seek immediate
assistance from their health
service provider

ONCE diagnosed, they shall

avail of the DOTS and adhere to
the prescribed course of
treatment.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITES OF EMPLOYERS

1. Any contact in the workplace

shall be traced & the contacts
shall be clinically assessed.
2. In the context of their Corporate
Social Responsibility, OSH and
related programs, employers are
encouraged to extend the TB
program to their workers’
families & their respective
communities.
IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

The OSHC shall provide preventive &

Technical assistance in the implementation
Of the Workplace TB program at the
Enterprise level.

The BWC and the DOLE Regional Offices

through their labor inspectors shall
Enforce these guidelines.

All employers shall disseminate these

Guidelines in their respective workplace.
 Remember!
Safety never takes a holiday.

Danger never takes a vacation.

~ Author Unknown
“Occupational Safety and
Health is NOT expensive,
it’s PRICELESS!”