Steps of a Risk Assessment Process in the Philippine Government Setting (ISO 45001 Perspective)

Risk Assessment Process in the Philippine Government Setting (ISO 45001 Perspective)

In line with ISO 45001:2018, which provides a framework for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management systems, the risk assessment process is essential for identifying and mitigating workplace risks. In the Philippine government context, this aligns with compliance mandates such as DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) and RA 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010). Below are the key steps framed within ISO 45001 principles:

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1. Risk Identification

• ISO Perspective: Organizations must systematically identify potential hazards that could harm workers, assets, or the environment. This includes both routine and non-routine activities.
• Philippine Context: In the Philippines, risks include natural disasters (e.g., typhoons, floods, earthquakes) and workplace hazards (e.g., chemical exposure, machinery incidents).
• Compliance Mandate: DOLE’s OSHS and RA 10121 require identifying and documenting hazards as part of preparedness and mitigation.

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2. Risk Analysis

• ISO Perspective: Assess risks by analyzing the likelihood of occurrence and the potential impact on health, safety, and operations.
• Philippine Context: This step involves evaluating how hazards could affect government operations, infrastructure, and employee well-being.
• Compliance Mandate: Section 8 of RA 11058 mandates the assessment of risks to prevent workplace injuries and ensure proactive safety measures.

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3. Risk Evaluation

• ISO Perspective: Compare risks against the organization’s risk tolerance and prioritize them based on severity and likelihood.
• Philippine Context: Evaluate risks using thresholds set under local regulations like the National Building Code and the Fire Code of the Philippines.
• Compliance Mandate: RA 10121 emphasizes prioritizing disaster risks to allocate resources effectively and ensure community resilience.

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4. Risk Treatment

• ISO Perspective: Implement controls to eliminate or minimize risks. This could involve engineering solutions, administrative controls, or the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Philippine Context: Examples include retrofitting government buildings for seismic resilience or instituting workplace safety protocols.
• Compliance Mandate: DOLE’s OSHS and RA 10121 require the implementation of both structural and non-structural risk mitigation measures.

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5. Review and Monitoring

• ISO Perspective: Risk assessment is a dynamic process that requires regular monitoring and review to remain effective. Organizations must ensure that controls adapt to new risks and changing conditions.
• Philippine Context: Continuous review of disaster preparedness and workplace safety plans is crucial in a country prone to natural disasters.
• Compliance Mandate: RA 10121 mandates periodic reviews of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) plans, while OSHS requires regular safety audits and inspections.

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Conclusion

Applying the ISO 45001 framework ensures that risk management processes are robust, proactive, and aligned with international best practices. In the Philippine government setting, these steps not only promote compliance with RA 11058 and RA 10121 but also enhance organizational resilience, employee safety, and disaster preparedness.

 

References:

Department of Labor and Employment. (n.d.). Occupational safety and health standards. Retrieved from https://www.dole.gov.ph

Republic of the Philippines. (2012). Data privacy act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173). Official Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph

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