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Pursuant to the rule-making authority of the Secretary of Labor and Employment under Article 5 of the Labor Code, as amended, and to ensure the protection and welfare of workers employed in the pyrotechnic industry, the following guidelines are hereby issued for the guidance and compliance by all concerned:

SECTION 1. Coverage. - This Guidelines shall apply to all establishments, workplaces, operations and undertakings in the pyrotechnic industry.

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used herein, the following terms shall mean:

1. “Pyrotechnics establishment” refers to a company engaged in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of pyrotechnic products.
2. “Occupational Safety and Health Program” refers to planned activities aimed to prevent, eliminate, reduce or control occupational risks and hazards.
3. “Safety and Health Committee” refers to a group of employees and management representatives concerned with planning, policy-making, implementation and evaluation of all matters pertaining to safety and health.
4. “Safety and Health Personnel” refers to a qualified first-aid staff, nurse, dentist, physician or safety officer engaged by the employer to provide occupational safety and health services.
5. “Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS)” refers to the set of Rules issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which mandates the adoption and use of appropriate practices, means, methods, operations or processes, and working conditions reasonably necessary to ensure safe and healthful employment.

SECTION 3. Workplace Policy on Occupational Safety and Health. - An occupational safety and health policy shall be formulated by each pyrotechnic establishment addressing the priority safety and health concerns in workplaces and worksites classified as pyrotechnic establishments, in accordance with the OSHS and other related Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) issuances.

SECTION 4. Components of the Occupational Safety and Health Program – The OSH program shall include:

1. Hazard and Risk Prevention and Control to reduce the extent of exposures to hazards and to decrease the likelihood for those hazards to cause illness or injury.
2. Capability building for members of the Safety and Health Committee to undertake risk management activities through information, training, and work environment safety and health interventions.
3. Referral and Access to Medical and Welfare Services - Appropriate services as required under Rule 1960 and the OSHS shall be made available.

SECTION 5. Roles and Responsibilities of the Employers and Workers. – The parties herein shall have the following roles and responsibilities:

1. The employer shall formulate and implement a suitable OSH program based on its policy and in accordance with the OSHS and other related OSH issuances.
2. The employer shall organize a health and safety committee pursuant to Rule 1040 of the OSHS in every workplace whose function is to develop and oversee the implementation of the OSH program to include workers’ orientation and awareness on hazards identification, risk evaluation, prevention and control.
3. The employer shall require his/her workers to undergo an Orientation Course on OSH.
4. The employer shall provide the applicable number of safety and health personnel such as safety officer and qualified first-aid staff as required by Rules 1030 and 1960 of the OSHS, and the required training for these personnel.
5. The workers are enjoined to take an active role in education and training, in developing and implementing joint continuing programs and information campaigns on safety and health.

SECTION 6. Enforcement and Monitoring. The DOLE Regional Offices and their Labor Laws Compliance Officers shall be responsible for ensuring the compliance of pyrotechnic establishments on labor standards including occupational safety and health requirements.

SECTION 7. Effect on Existing Issuances and Agreements. - This issuance shall serve as policy and procedural guidelines for the DOLE and its agencies in the administration and enforcement of applicable labor and social legislations and their implementing regulations.

Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize diminution or reduction of benefits being enjoyed by the employees at the time of issuance hereof.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Manila, Philippines, January 07, 2014.

(SGD) ROSALINDA DIMAPILIS-BALDOZ
Secretary