OBJECTIVE. This study was conducted to describe areas of concern with respect to occupational health and safety (OHS) program administration at eleven (11) Metro Manila hospitals, particularly: level of OHS knowledge and skill of personnel, the nature of occupational hazards perceived to exist in the hospitals, and how these relate to OHS program staffing and implementation.
METHODS. Participants were surveyed on OHS knowledge and skills, as well as perceived occupational hazards, during the pilot of the "Occupational Health and Safety for Hospital Workers" training course held last April 2009.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The participants needed improvement in many of the OHS knowledge and ability items assessed. Familiarity and mastery of some items were demonstrated, but for effectiveness to be assured, it is necessary for other areas to be improved. Occupational hazards from all categories (chemical, ergonomic, physical, biological, and safety-related) are observed in the hospitals, with the most frequently cited being chemical and ergonomic in nature. Health and safety committees and OHS programs exist, but staff abilities limit their operation and effectiveness.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Improvement of certain OHS personnel abilities in the hospitals surveyed is suggested, and may help improve administration of OHS programs.

Occupational Health ; Perception ; Personnel, Hospital ; Philippines ; Safety ; Surveys And Questionnaires ; Hospital Administration ; Staff Development

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the occupational hazards perceived by sanitary inspectors (SIs) from the City of Manila (Manila) and Quezon City (QC) as they perform their administrative and technical roles.

METHODS: Hazards and control measures were identified using self-administered questionnaires distributed among Sls of Manila and QC from November to December 2010.

RESULTS: The most frequently perceived hazards are slips, trips and falls, and verbal assault seen consistently present among 8 out of 9 roles. Harsh climatic condition on the other hand is the hazard perceived to be the riskiest as seen consistently in 8 out of 9 roles. Of the respondents, 28% did not receive formal training in the field of sanitary inspection and 64% did not have work shifts as administrative control measures; 90% said that personal protective equipment (PPE) were not made available to them and were not used by them.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The most frequently perceived hazards encountered by SIs are slips, trips and falls, harsh climatic conditions, unwarranted complaints, and verbal assault. On the other hand, harsh climatic conditions, unwarranted complaints, and slips, trips and falls are the occupational hazards which are consistently present and perceived to pose the most risk in more than five roles. Provision of PPE and improvement in the implementation of administrative control measures is recommended. Moreover, further studies involving SIs' actual experiences, SIs from rural areas and control measures present in the workplace are suggested.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Occupational Health ; Protective Devices ; Employment ; Occupational Exposure

The Sixth Environmental and Occupational Health Forum, conducted virtually on November 23 to 24, 2023, focused on "Accelerating the Development of Healthy and climate-smart Hospitals in the Southeast Asian Region." This forum, a collaborative effort of the University of the Philippines Manila and Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, aimed to explore and exchange strategies, challenges, and innovative practices for integrating environmental sustainability in healthcare settings across Southeast Asia. The event gathered healthcare professionals, policymakers, and environmental experts to discuss the transformation of hospitals into health and climate-smart institutions. Keynote speakers from various countries presented case studies and research findings, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches that include policy development, stakeholder engagement, and continuous education. Significant outcomes highlighted were the identification of effective policies for sustainable hospitals, understanding the impact of healthcare facilities on climate change, and the necessity for political acumen in promoting environmental stewardship in healthcare. The forum concluded with a consensus on the critical need for ongoing collaboration and innovation in environmental and occupational health, underscoring the importance of transforming healthcare facilities into entities that prioritize both patient care and planetary health.
Delivery of Health Care ; Occupational Health

COVID-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Rapidly spreading worldwide, it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in early 2020 [1]. Various mitigation strategies, such as physical distancing, travel restrictions, and other public health protocols, were enforced globally to curb virus transmission [2,3]. However, these measures also disrupted daily life, work environments, and public health systems, posing significant challenges in balancing virus prevention and continuation of economic activity [4]. This paper aimed to highlight key lessons from the Third Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) Forum on public health emergency response as demonstrated by selected Asian countries. Proceedings from the forum were reviewed and analyzed, arriving at the following lessons and themes: proactive and strategic public health interventions, leadership and governance, community participation, policy adjustments, technological integration and innovation, and balancing health and economic activities. The forum, themed “Environmental and Occupational Health Initiatives During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was held virtually in November 2020 [5]. Understanding environmental and occupational health interventions as well as the themes of strategies by Asian countries, provides valuable insights into early pandemic management and contributes to a repository of knowledge that can be adapted and applied globally, enhancing the overall effectiveness of pandemic responses.
Occupational Health ; Environmental Health ; Publich Health ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Asia

Even after two years, the COVID-19 pandemic still disrupts public activities and services as it exposes vulnerabilities among the population and negatively impacts environmental conditions. The crisis also impeded global progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Fourth Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) Forum held virtually on November 25 to 26, 2021 provided a venue for learning about local and international COVID-19 responses to help prepare for the next global crisis. Through the systems thinking approach, the discussions prioritized analyses of leadership and governance, financing, human resource, technologies, information management, and service delivery. These analyses focused on community and/or workplace programs and services linked to air quality, waste management, psychosocial wellness, and COVID-19 vaccination. The forum amplified calls for climate actions and public health improvement and emphasized the significance of a collaborative, evidence-based, integrated public health response to a crisis underscoring the apparent interdependence of the SDGs.
Environmental Health ; Occupational Health ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Covid-19 ; air quality