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RA 11058 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act (2018)

Philippine lawLegal status not independently verified

In brief

AI summary. Verify against the source below.

RA 11058 strengthens occupational safety and health in the Philippines by requiring employers to provide safe workplaces, training, protective equipment, and safety programs, while granting workers rights to know hazards, refuse unsafe work, and report accidents. The law also establishes inspection authority, joint liability, and penalties for violations.

Who it affects: All private-sector establishments, projects, and sites in the Philippines, including PEZA establishments, where work is performed.

Key provisions

  • Coverage. The Act applies to every private workplace, project or site where work is done, except for the public sector, and includes PEZA establishments. [Section 2]
  • Employer Duties. Employers must keep the workplace free of hazards, give safety orientation, inform workers of risks, use approved equipment, provide PPE and safety devices, involve workers in safety programs, and arrange emergency and first‑aid measures. [Section 4]
  • Workers' Right to Know. Workers must be informed by their employer about all workplace hazards and receive training on chemical, electrical, mechanical and ergonomic safety. [Section 5]
  • Right to Refuse Unsafe Work. A worker may refuse to work without fear of retaliation if the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) determines there is an imminent danger that could cause injury, illness or death and the employer has not corrected it. [Section 6]
  • Right to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Employers must provide, at no cost, appropriate PPE such as eye, face, hand, foot protection, safety belts, harnesses, respirators, and shields, based on the safety officer’s evaluation. [Section 8]
  • Safety Signage and Devices. All workplaces must display safety signs and devices in prominent, understandable locations, following DOLE standards. [Section 9]
  • Safety and Health Committee. Covered workplaces must form a safety and health committee composed of the employer (or representative), safety officer, health personnel, and worker representatives to oversee the safety program. [Section 13]
  • Safety Officer Duties. A safety officer must manage the safety program, regularly inspect conditions, assist government inspectors, and issue work‑stop orders when needed. [Section 14]
  • Inspection Authority. The Secretary of Labor and Employment (or authorized representatives) can inspect any workplace at any time, demand records, and order work stoppage if grave danger exists. [Section 22]
  • Penalties for Non‑Compliance. Willful failure to comply with OSH standards or a compliance order can result in administrative fines up to ₱100,000 per day, plus additional fines for obstruction, false statements, or retaliation. [Section 28]

Common questions

Which workplaces must follow RA 11058?
All private-sector establishments, projects, sites and PEZA establishments where work is undertaken are covered, except for public‑sector workplaces. [Section 2]
What are the main safety duties of an employer?
Employers must keep the workplace hazard‑free, give safety orientation, inform workers of risks, use approved equipment, provide PPE and safety devices, involve workers in safety programs, and arrange emergency and first‑aid measures. [Section 4]
What rights do workers have regarding workplace hazards?
Workers have the right to be informed about all hazards, receive safety training, refuse unsafe work when an imminent danger exists, and report accidents or hazards to their employer and the DOLE. [Section 5, Section 6, Section 7]
Is the employer required to provide personal protective equipment?
Yes. Employers must supply appropriate PPE free of charge, based on the safety officer’s recommendation, and the PPE must meet DOLE standards. [Section 8]
What happens if an employer does not fix an imminent danger?
The DOLE can order a work stoppage, and the employer must pay the affected workers their wages for the stoppage period. [Section 23]
How are safety committees formed?
A safety and health committee is created in each covered workplace and includes the employer (or representative) as chair, the safety officer as secretary, health personnel, and worker representatives elected or from the union. [Section 13]
Who can inspect a workplace and what powers do they have?
The Secretary of Labor and Employment or authorized representatives can enter any workplace at any time, examine records, and order work stoppage if a grave danger is found. [Section 22]
What penalties apply for violating OSH standards?
Violators may be fined up to ₱100,000 per day for each violation, with additional fines for obstruction, false reporting, or retaliation, and the fines are used for OSH programs. [Section 28]

Legal information, not legal advice

Tatsulok checks that this text faithfully reproduces its published source, but Tatsulok is not an official publisher and does not independently verify whether the text is currently in force, amended, or repealed. Always confirm against an official source, such as the Official Gazette or the issuing government authority, before relying on it. This is legal information for study, not legal advice. For your situation, consult a lawyer or Philippine legal aid.