Building back better: resilient environmental and occupational health systems for the next global crisis

@#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.

Analysis of gaps among stakeholders of occupational health and safety in the Philippines

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> Increase of occupational injuries, accidents or diseases, has become a global trend. Implementation of programs on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) programs are weak, however. Strengthening the OHS, stakeholders and their constituents must take the driver's seat for policy formulation program development and services. This study determined the gaps of the OHS stakeholders in the Philippines.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> Data were gathered through review of relevant documents, series of key informant interviews and a workshop.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:</strong> The investigators were able to identify 27 stakeholders. Results showed gaps that focused mainly on governance. These include: (1) lack of a dedicated national agency that will oversee all OHS initiatives across industries and sectors; (2) inadequate awareness on OHS mandate of some agencies; (3) unclear delineation of roles and responsibilities among stakeholders; (4) poor coordination among government agencies; and (5) poor enforcement of OHS legislations. These gaps should be addressed to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the policies.</p>

Occupational noise exposure of traffic enforcers in selected streets in the City of Manila

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> The study aimed to evaluate the sound pressure levels of selected traffic enforcer sites in the City of Manila.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> A Brüel & Kjær Integrating Sound Level Meter type 2225 was used to measure sound pressure levels in dB(A) to estimate personal noise exposure of traffic enforcers designated at Quezon Boulevard near Quiapo Church and Recto - Rizal Avenue on a weekday and a weekend. Graphs were generated while appropriate measures were calculated for the noise exposure levels. The mean exposure levels were compared with the Philippine Occupational Safety and Health standards by computing the corresponding permissible exposure limit for each work shift using the Equal Energy Principle.17</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Noise exposure levels at Quezon Boulevard ranged from 75.0 dB(A) to 91.5 dB(A) with mean noise exposure level of 84.3 ± 3.7 dB(A) and 82.5 ± 2.6 dB(A) for the weekday AM and PM shift, respectively. The mean noise exposure level at Quezon Boulevard for the weekend AM shift was 82.4 ± 2.6, whereas 80.4 ± 2.8 for the PM shift. The noise exposure levels at Recto - Rizal Avenue ranged from 81.5 dB(A) to 99.3 dB(A) with mean noise exposure level of 86.7 ± 2.6 dB(A) and 86.0 ± 2.1 dB(A) for the weekday AM and PM shift, respectively. The mean noise exposure level at Recto - Rizal Avenue for the weekend AM shift was 86.7 ± 2.3, whereas 89.0 ± 4.0 for the PM shift.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The study showed that traffic enforcers designated at Quezon Boulevard and Recto - Rizal Avenue are exposed to noise levels that do not exceed the Philippine Occupational Safety and Health standards.</p>