These were among the guidelines the Department of Labor and Employment issued Thursday for employers of domestic helpers through a department advisory.
In Department Advisory No. 1 series of 2014, the DOLE enumerated measures to ensure the occupational safety and health (OSH) of the “kasambahay,” including:
– Conduct of on-the-job orientation of kasambahay
– Provision of personal protective equipment based on the nature of the job, such as gloves, face masks, and aprons
– Ensuring fire protective equipment and other materials such as fire extinguishers, wet blanket, sand, and water are readily available
– Provision of humane sleeping arrangements, adequate food, safe drinking water, and access to sanitary facilities
– Availability of first-aid medicines in case of illnesses and injuries sustained during service without loss of benefits
– Ensure that kasambahay will not work under hazardous conditions that will endanger her health and safety.
On the other hand, the DOLE mentioned 14 subtopics for OSH tips for the helpers, including:
– General household safety tips
– Kitchen safety tips
– Fire safety tips
– Earthquake safety tips
– Typhoon and flood safety tips
– Proper scheduling of tasks to provide rest
– Handling and disposal of garbage
– Household security
– Safety tips in conducting errands
– Safety orientation during crisis
– Safety consideration in baby-sitting
– Tips in handling pets
– Safety tips in gardening
– Use of PPE (personal protective equipment).
The DOLE also urged employers to address social issues that may affect the health of the kasambahay.
It suggested that the kasambahay “discuss with her employer the matter of establishing reasonable workload and working hours.”
Also, it suggested that the employer “allow the kasambahay to maintain her personal social circles.”
The suggestions were included in the DOLE’s Department Advisory No. 01, Series of 2014, or the Occupational Safety and Health Protection Tips for Kasambahay and Employers.
“Domestic work, like any occupation, has its own occupational hazards from which kasambahay and members of the household should be protected. We issued this advisory exactly to provide tips to help both kasambahay and employers prevent or reduce domestic work hazards,” said DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
“It is the employer’s responsibility to provide protection to the kasambahay, especially in the maintenance of safe and healthy working conditions. However, the kasambahay equally shares responsibility in ensuring that household work is safe and healthy,” she added.
Meanwhile, Baldoz directed the Labor Communications Office to hold an information campaign to make the public aware of the advisory, and instructed all DOLE agencies and regional offices to do the same. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News
