1. Mining in the Philippines: OHS Point of Viewby
Institute for Occupational Health
and Safety Development
(IOHSAD)

2. Philippine Workers
cost of living is around Php 800/day (~ USD 17) for a family of 6
minimum wage is Php 365/day ( ~USD 8)

3. OHS Situation
Occupational accidents resulting to death increased by 69.7% from 2000 to 2002
In 2000 there were 68,691 accidents
In 2002 it was 46,661
According to the ILO, some countries account only 10% (lowest) of the accidents, while coverage can be as low as 30%.

4. Workplace conditions
In 2002 there were only 59 accredited workplace inspectors assigned to monitor more than 700,000 registered enterprises.
Each inspector, to provide at least 80% coverage must check 9,492 firms a year or 32/day

5. Rich with natural resources
2nd to Indonesia in geological prospectivity in South East Asia
2nd to South Africa in gold production
3rd in copper production
3rd in gold
4th in copper deposits
5th in nickel deposits
6th in chromite in nickel deposits

6. OHS and Mining In 2005, 50 miners were buried after mine explosion
In 2007, 4 miners were again buried after mine collapsed

7. Sodium Cyanide Sodium Cyanide is used to leach gold from the ore
Acute effects include rapid breathing, gasping, tremors, convulsions and death
Effects of sublethal poisoning include headache, dizziness and thyroid enlargement.

8. Lead poisoning
Acute effects of lead poisoning are seizures, headaches, dizziness, memory deficit, nausea and miscarriage.
Chronic effects includes pallor, seizures, memory loss, wrist/foot drop and renal failure.

9. Intense heat, poor ventilation
Poor ventilation robs the body of needed oxygen causing the brain to malfunction and leads to many deaths especially in underground operations

10. Globalization threatens labour rights
In order to attract foreign investments, labor rights like the right to form unions and the right to strike are not allowed in economic zones

11. Support workers to form unions

12. Promote OHS Elimination of Hazard Substitution Isolate the Hazard
Engineering control
Administrative control
Personal Protective Equipment

13. Thank You!