DOLE-Kalinga equips 44 safety officers to prevent workplace accidents, strengthens OSH compliance

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Kalinga has intensified its campaign to promote safer workplaces by training employers and safety officers on occupational safety and health (OSH) on July 10, 2026 at the Conference hall of the Provincial Capitol, aiming to prevent workplace accidents and ensure compliance with labor standards.

A total of 44 participants completed said Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Course for Safety Officers, where they underwent lectures and hands-on training designed to strengthen workplace safety practices and emergency preparedness.

Building safer workplaces

The training , according to the Provincial Director Avelina Manganip, covered the Basic Occupational Safety and Health Course for Safety Officers, the key provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Law, workplace safety rules and preventive measures, emergency preparedness, the Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) Program, and a four-hour Basic First Aid Training.

Through the course, Manganip said participants would learn how to identify workplace hazards, prevent occupational accidents, respond effectively to emergencies, and comply with labor and occupational safety standards.

DOLE-Kalinga said the activity also aims to strengthen the shared responsibility of employers and workers in creating safe, healthy, and productive workplaces.

Training comes as workplace injuries remain a concern

The training was conducted amid continuing reports of occupational injuries and work-related deaths across the country.

According to the latest Occupational Safety and Health Statistics released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on April 30, 2026, through the Integrated Survey on Labor and Employment (ISLE) covering the 2023/2024 survey period, the Philippines recorded 30,653 occupational injuries, including 318 work-related fatalities.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the PSA recorded 585 occupational injuries and 14 work-related deaths, highlighting the continuing need to strengthen workplace safety programs across the region.

The PSA reported that open wounds accounted for 42.6 percent of all workplace injuries, making them the most common occupational injury.

Meanwhile, workers striking against or being struck by objects remained the leading cause of workplace accidents, accounting for 28.9 percent of reported cases.

Other common incidents included falls, machinery-related injuries, and workers being caught in or between moving equipment—risks that safety experts say can often be minimized through proper training, hazard identification, and strict compliance with occupational safety standards.

Reducing workplace injuries and saving lives

DOLE-Kalinga hopes the knowledge and skills gained by participants will translate into safer workplaces across the province by helping employers and workers identify hazards before accidents occur, strengthen emergency response, and foster a stronger culture of occupational safety.

Through continued education, compliance, and cooperation between employers and employees, the agency aims to help reduce—and ultimately eliminate—workplace injuries and work-related deaths in Kalinga while ensuring that every worker returns home safely at the end of each workday.