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HOUSEHOLD SERVICES
Module 3
Practice Occupational Health and
Safety Procedure (OS)

This instructional material is collaboratively developed and reviewed by educators from

public secondary schools. We encourage teachers and other education stakeholders to email
their feedback, comments, and recommendations to the Department of Education – Region
10 at
We value your feedback and recommendations.

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

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 Lesson IDENTIFY HAZARD AND RISKS IN THE WORKPLA

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Effective housekeeping can help control or eliminate workplace hazards. Poor
housekeeping practices frequently contribute to incidents. This lesson focuses on identifying
hazard and risks in the workplace. We hope that this lesson will not only give you knowledge
and skills but also develop efficiency and resourcefulness.

What’s In

Directions: Identify the parts of Floor Polisher. Write your answer on your TLE Notebook.

4.
1.

5.
2.

3. 6.

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 What’s New

Activity 1- Identification
Directions: Identify the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by writing its
correct name on your TLE Notebook.

1 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

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 What is It

Philippine Occupational, Health and Safety Standards

Occupational Safety and Health is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting

the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work. The goal of all occupational
safety and health program is to foster a safe work environment.
As secondary effect, it may also protect co-workers, family members, employers,
customers, suppliers, nearby communities, and other members of the public who are
impacted by the workplace environment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Center in the country is established by
Executive Order No. 307. The implementing rules and regulations are issued by the
Employees Compensation Commission (ECC). Under section 8 of Executive order
307 the main objectives of the OSC are as follows:

1. prevent, eliminate or reduce work related injuries, illnesses and deaths

2. implement effectively occupational health and safety programs that will promote the
health, efficiency and general well-being of the Filipino workers through the
improvement of the quality of his working life that will enhance significantly the
productivity of industries and business; and
3. maintain an expert intelligence and training center for industrial disease and occupational
safety

Coverage of Services

The Services of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) covers the
preventive (primary, secondary, tertiary prevention) aspects of occupational safety and health
in every workplace, public or private.
The center serves the authority on Occupational Safety and Health in the areas of
research, training, and information dissemination and technical services.

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Safety Regulations

1. The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

The Clean Air Act is the constitutional law designed to make sure that all
Filipinos have air that is safe to breathe. Public health protection is the primary goal,
though the law also seeks to protect our environment from damage caused by air
pollution. In 1999, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the
Philippine Clean Air Act, a landmark legislation setting a comprehensive air quality
management policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for
all the people in the Philippines.

The Clean Air Act is guided by the following principles:

a. Protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
b. Promote and protect the global environment while organizing the primary
responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems;
c. Recognize that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is
primarily area-based; and
d. Recognize that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should
therefore be the concern of all.

2. Waste management is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or

disposal of waste materials. Waste Management program helps manage hazardous
chemical, radioactive, medical and other wastes safely and legally.

Types of Waste
Waste includes all items that people no longer have any use for, which they
either intend to get rid of or have already discarded. Many items can be considered as
waste like household rubbish, sewage sludge, wastes from manufacturing activities,
packaging items, discarded cars, old televisions,

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garden waste, old paint containers and others. Thus all our daily activities can give
rise to a large variety of different wastes arising from different sources.
A. Solid wastes
Solid waste is defined as any waste that is dry in form and is discarded as
unwanted. It can describe the solid waste from general housekeeping as residential
waste, refuse, household waste or domestic waste. Examples are plastics, styrofoam
containers, bottles, cans, papers, scrap iron, and other trashes
B. Liquid Wastes

Liquid waste includes human waste, runoff (storm water or flood water),
sullage, industrial wastewater and other forms of wastewater from different sources.
Examples are chemicals, oils, waste water from ponds.

Classification of Wastes According to their Properties

A. Biodegradable

Biodegradable wastes are those that can be broken down (decomposed) into their
constituent elements by bacteria and other microorganisms. The term can be applied
to both liquid and solid waste. Examples are human and animal wastes, food waste,
paper, and agricultural wastes.
B. Non-biodegradable
Non-biodegradable trash is any discarded item that cannot be broken down by
living organisms. Non-biodegradable trash accumulates in the environment because it
cannot return to its origins. Examples are plastics, bottles, old machines, containers
and others.

Classification of Wastes According to their Effects on Human Health and

the Environment

A. Hazardous wastes – are unsafe substances used commercially, industrially,

agriculturally, or economically. Examples are paint, motor oil, pesticide, drain
opener, prescription drugs, air fresheners, batteries.
B. Non-hazardous wastes – are safe substances used commercially, industrially,
agriculturally, or economically. Examples are papers, cardboard, linings,
wrappings, paper packaging materials or absorbents.

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Process Flow of Waste Management
The process flow refers to the 3 (or 4) R’s of reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover
which classify waste management strategies according to their desirability. The R’s are meant
to be a hierarchy, in order of importance. However, the waste hierarchy has 5 steps: reduce,
reuse, recycle, recovery, and disposal.
Reduce - to buy less and use less.
Reuse - elements of the discarded item are used again.
Recycle - discards are separated into materials that may be incorporated into new
products.
Recover - capturing useful material for waste to energy programs.

3. Disaster Preparedness and Management aims to reduce, or avoid the

potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims
of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery.

Disaster Management Cycle

 Mitigation - Minimizing the effects of disaster.
Examples: building codes and zoning; vulnerability analysis;
public education.

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  Preparedness - Planning how to respond.
Examples: preparedness plans; emergency exercises/training;
warning systems.
 Response - Efforts to minimize the hazards created by a disaster.
Examples: search and rescue; emergency relief.
 Recovery - Returning the community to normal.
Examples: temporary housing; grants; medical care.

What’s More

Activity 2 - Classification
Directions: Classify the following recyclable and waste materials in the box below
according to its process flow. Write your answer on your TLE Notebook.

1. Plastic bags 2. Glass Bottles 3. Cans

4. Paper bags 5. Paper wrappers 6. Old clothes

1. Batteries 8. Candy wrappers 9. Left over foods

10. Plastic bottles

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 Lesson
EVALUATE HAZARDS AND RISKS
2
In this lesson you will learn on how to evaluate hazard and risks, classify the types of
hazard/risk, describe the effects of ergonomics in the work place and even perform basic
contingency measures. We hope that this lesson will not only give you knowledge and skills
but also develop efficiency and resourcefulness.

What’s New

Activity 3 - Jumbled Letters

Directions: Arrange the jumbled letters to identify the word each sentence
defines/describes. Write your answer on your TLE Notebook.

GCALIOLOBI 1. It is a hazard that originates from an organism that is

foreign (in presence or concentration) to the organism
being affected.
MIHECALC 2. It is considered a hazard if by virtue of its intrinsic
properties can cause harm or danger to humans,
property, or the environment.
LAPHISYC 3. It is naturally occurring process that has the potential
to create loss or damage.

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 What is It

Hazard and Risk

A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property or
environment. Most hazards are dormant or potential, with only the theoretical risk of harm.
However, once a hazard becomes “active”, it can create an emergency situation. A hazard
does not exist when it is not happening. A hazardous situation that has come to pass is
called an incident. Hazard vulnerability interact together to create risk.
Modes of Hazard
1. Dormant The situation has the potential to be hazardous, but no people, property
or environment is currently affected by this. For instance, a hillside may
be unstable, with the potential for a landslide, but
there is nothing below or on the hillside that could be affected.
2. Armed People, property, or environment is in potential harm’s way.
3. Active A harmful incident involving the hazard has actually occurred. Often
this is referred to as “active hazard” but as an accident,
emergency, incident or disaster.

TYPES OF HAZARD

1. Biological A biological hazard is one originating from an organism that is foreign

(in presence or concentration) to the organism being affected. Many
biological hazards are associated with food, including certain viruses,
parasites, fungi, bacteria, and plant and seafood toxins. Pathogenic
Campylobacter and Salmonella are common food borne biological
hazards. The hazards from these bacteria can be avoided through risk
mitigation steps such as proper handling, storing, and cooking of food.
Disease in humans can come from biological hazards in the form
of infection by
bacteria, viruses, or parasites

2. Chemical A chemical can be considered a hazard if by virtue of its intrinsic

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 properties can cause harm or danger to humans, property, or the
environment. Some chemicals occur naturally in certain geological
formations, such as radon gas or arsenic. Other chemicals include
products with commercial uses, such as agricultural and industrial
chemicals, as well as products developed for home use. Pesticides,
which are normally used to control unwanted insects and plants,
may cause a variety of
negative effects on non-target organisms.

3. Mechanical A mechanical hazard is any hazard involving a machine or process.

Motor vehicles, aircraft, and air bags pose mechanical hazards.
Compressed gases or liquids can also be considered a
mechanical hazard.

4. Physical A physical hazard is a naturally occurring process that has the potential
to create loss or damage. Physical hazards include, but are not limited
to, earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes. Physical hazards often have both
human and natural elements. Flood problems can be affected by climate
fluctuations and storm frequency, both natural elements, and by land
drainage and building in a flood plain, human elements. Another
physical hazard, X-rays, are naturally occurring from solar radiation,
but have been utilized by humans for medical purposes; however,
overexposure can lead to cancer, skin burns, and tissue damage.

5. Ergonomic It is a physical factor within the environment that harms the

musculoskeletal system. Ergonomic hazards include uncomfortable
workstation height and poor body positioning. Ergonomic hazards are
caused by poorly designed workplaces or processes. Examples are poor
lighting, or a job that requires you to repeat the same movement over
and over. An office receptionist that has to type an abundant amount of
documents may be affected by ergonomic hazards. If she/he is not
seated they will have back pain, neck pain, bad eye sight and leg
cramps.

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 One of the most basic health practices in any workplace is having it
free from common workplace hazard. Workplace hazards vary from one
working environment to another. Because there are so many types of
hazards, the three that will be discussed are mechanical hazards,
biological hazards, and
chemical hazards.

Effects of Hazard In Workplace

1. Mechanical The severity of the injury depends on mostly how the accident
Hazards
happens like slips, falls, and entanglement. It is the responsibility
of the company to make sure all the risks are minimized.
2. Chemical Everywhere around us see chemical and mixture of chemicals. Some
Hazards
chemicals are acidic while some are extremely volatile. The workplace
health risks involved any particular chemical is hard to determine
without first knowing the exactly the chemical is and
what environment it is in.
3. Biological Viruses, diseases and other forms of sickness and biological hazards are
Hazards
the hardest to manage when it comes to the workplace. The most
common areas of transmitting disease are in public areas and at work so
workplace health is seriously threatened by biological hazards. One
more reason why biological hazards are hard to manage is their ability
to travel from
place to place.

Hazard vs. Risk

The terms hazard and risk are often used interchangeably. However, in terms of risk
assessment, these are two very distinct terms. As defined above, a hazard is any biological,
chemical, mechanical, or physical agent that is reasonably likely to cause harm or damage to
humans or the environment with sufficient exposure or dose. Risk is defined as the
probability that exposure to a hazard will lead to a negative consequence, or more simply:
Risk = Hazard x Dose (Exposure).

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 Effects of Ergonomics in the Workplace
Each and every day, a housekeeper working in the safe environment of a hotel yet
performing repetitive and routinary jobs face a higher percentage of a health risk than a
cab driver. Everyday cleaning activities of a room attendant, from lifting the bed, to
scrubbing the lavatory requiring frequent symmetric motions (twisting, bending, and turning)
would most likely result to some musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries are caused by
awkward postures while performing their duties which later results in loss of flexibility and
strength, overexertion, muscle fatigue, and functional disability.

Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing jobs, equipment and work
places to fit the person. Ergonomics applies method and principles intended to safeguard
workers well-being and optimize productivity level. This system is a joint responsibility of
the management and staff since without it both are at a higher risk:

1. Staff’s over fatigue and getting injured

2. Staff’s low productivity
3. High turnover leading to poor service
4. Requiring more overtime and staff

Housekeeping Ergonomics requires:

1. Strategic Plan
2. Staff training and participation
3. Efficient layout of the area
4. Appropriate tools and equipment

Benefits of Ergonomics:

1. Improves efficiency of housekeeping work

2. Increases work quality
3. Reduces discomfort or pain in housekeepers
4. Lowers housekeeper injury risk
5. Allow housekeepers to work easily

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Housekeeping “System” Components that impact safety and efficiency:

Work
Environmen
Job Tasks

Goal, Safe and Tools and

Efficient Equipmen

Work Environment number of beds in room, high end or budget hotel

Employees
Tools and style and condition of vacuum; length of brush handles
Equipment
Employee attitude towards job

Job Task cleaning walk-in shower vs. tub, floor mopping method

For beds:

 Fitted sheets instead of flat sheets

 Bed making tools

For supply Carts:

 Larger, harder wheels

 Replace worn wheels
 Motorized cart

For vacuuming

 Lighter weight
 Self- propelled brush or brush assist
 Ergonomic handles
 Alternative to upright (examples: canisters, backpacks)

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For bathrooms

 Long-handed brushes and scrubbers

 Brushes and sprayers with more comfortable grips

For dusting

 Micro-fiber products
 Extended handles

Contingency Measures and Procedures

A contingency plan is a written emergency procedures plan which describes
what actions must be taken to minimize hazards from fires, explosions or unplanned releases
of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents to air, soil or water.

What Must a Contingency Plan Include?

 A description of the emergency procedures to be followed by facility

personnel in response to fires, explosions, or any unplanned sudden or non-
sudden release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents to the air,
soil or water;
 A description of arrangements agreed to by local police departments, fire
departments, hospitals, contractors, and state and local emergency response
teams;
 An up-to-date list of names, addresses and phone numbers (office and home)
of all persons qualified to act as emergency coordinator. When more than one
person is listed, one must be designated as primary emergency coordinator and
the others must be listed in the order in which they will assume responsibility
as alternates;

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  An up-to-date list of all emergency equipment at the facility, including the
location and physical description of each item, along with a brief outline of its
capabilities. Examples of emergency equipment include, but are not limited to,
fire extinguishing systems, communications and alarm systems, personnel
protective equipment, spill containment or clean-up equipment, and
decontamination equipment; and
 An evacuation plan for facility personnel.

Evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or
actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scale evacuation of a building
due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood,
bombardment or approaching weather system. In situations involving hazardous materials
or possible contamination, evacuees may be decontaminated prior to being transported out
of the contaminated area.

Isolation refers to various measures taken to prevent contagious diseases from being
spread from a patient to other patients, health care workers, and visitors, or from others to a
particular patient. Various forms of isolation exist, some of which contact procedures are
modified, and others in which the patient is kept away from all others.

Forms of Isolation

a. Strict isolation is used for diseases spread through the air and in some cases
by contact.
b. Contact isolation is used to prevent the spread of diseases that can be spread
through contact with open wounds.
c. Respiratory isolation is used for diseases that are spread through particles that are
exhaled.
d. Blood and body fluids precaution is used when there is concern about
communicable diseases found in a patient's body fluid.
e. Reverse isolation is a method to prevent a patient in a compromised health
situation from being contaminated by other people or objects.

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 Decontamination is the reduction or removal of chemical agents. It may be
accomplished by removal of these agents by physical means or by chemical neutralization or
detoxification.

Lesson
CONTROL HAZARDS AND RISKS
3
In this lesson you will learn on how to explain occupational health and safety
procedures and emergencies in the workplace and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
in accordance with OHS procedures and practices. We hope that this lesson will not only give
you knowledge and skills but also develop efficiency and resourcefulness.

What’s New

Activity 7- Observe Me!

Directions: Explain what you have observed from the picture below. Write your
answer on your TLE Notebook.

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 What is It

Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety is a planned system of working to prevent illness and
injury where you work by recognizing and identifying hazards and risks. Health and safety
procedure is the responsibility of all persons. You must identify the hazard where you are
working and decide how dangerous they are.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to hand gloves, mask, apron, etc.
protective clothing, goggles, or other garment or equipment designed to protect the wearer's
body from injury by blunt impacts, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, and job-
related health purposes.

List of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) but not limited to:

Personal
Protective
PICTURE USES
Equipment
Protection against dust, awful odor,
1. Face Mask
and harmful substance

2. Hand Gloves Protection of cleaners against

contamination during the cleaning
process
3. Goggles Serves as eye protection when handling
dangerous chemical while cleaning

4. Apron Protects clothes from various aspects,

such as scratches, spills, food spills or
anything which can spoil the clothes or
uniform

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5. Hairnet A simple net or caul is a small, often
elasticised, fine net worn over long
hair to hold it in place. It is worn
to keep hair contained.
6. Rubber boots Protection of heavy floor cleaning

7. Ordinary rain A water proof or water resistant coat

gear
worn to protect the body from rain

8. Sturdy work Intended to protect and comfort the

shoes
human feet while doing various
activities

9. Safety Protects the user’s head against impact

helmet
from falling objects, by resisting and
deflecting blows to the head

10. Safety  is an attachment between a stationary

Harness
and non-stationary object and is
usually fabricated from rope, cable,
or webbing and locking hardware
 Designed to protect a person, animal,
or object from injury or
damage

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 Lesson MAINTAIN OPERATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

4
In this lesson you will learn on how to conduct emergency-related drills and trainings
and analyze the different OHS personal records. We hope that this lesson will not only give
you knowledge and skills but also develop efficiency and resourcefulness.

What’s New

Activity 9 - Observe Me!

Directions: Explain what you have observed from the picture below. Write your
answer on your TLE Notebook.

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 What is It

Emergency-Related Drills and Training

Fire Safety
This refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire
that may result in death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence
of an uncontrolled fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by a fire to
survive, or to reduce the damage caused by a fire. Fire safety measures include those that are
planned during the construction of a building or implemented in structures that are already
standing, and those that are taught to occupants of the building.

In our country, Fire Prevention Month is being observed in March of every year led
by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The purpose of the month-long observance is to
heighten the fire safety consciousness of the Filipino people and reduce incidence of fires that
result to property losses.

Most fires start in the kitchen because people are too negligent about loose valves of
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks. There are other several causes of fire, they are as
follows:
 Overheated appliances, like failure to switch off water heater and unplug flat iron
after use
 Worn-out electrical connections
 Left unattended lighted candles
 Overheated lights (Christmas lights to be specific) and lanterns
 Sudden surge of electricity

Fire drills are conducted at the frequencies specified by the Fire Code and involve all of the
following activities and considerations:

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  The fire alarm system is activated as part of the drill (activated in a manner to
assess the response of supervisory staff and participants to the alarm condition, or
alternatively activated by an individual participating in a given fire scenario situation
which is an expected response during the drill).
 Supervisory staff operates emergency systems and equipment as they would in the
event of an actual fire, (where applicable the voice communication or paging system,
elevator protocol, smoke control equipment protocol, etc.).
 All supervisory staff that have specific duties identified in the fire safety plan
participate (notification of the fire department, provisions for access for firefighting,
evacuating endangered occupants, closing doors, notification of supervisory staff
who may be off site and an assessment of their timely response, etc.).
 The fire drill runs long enough to adequately assess the expected responses of
supervisory staff and the emergency procedures relative to the scenario expectations
(if the drill is too short, it may not be possible to adequately assess whether sufficient
staff have or will respond, etc.).
 The fire drill outcomes are documented, concerns are identified and corrective
measures are implemented.
 The desirable degree of occupant’s participation is taken into account.

Earthquake
It is the shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground
movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity.
The following activities are to be undertaken:
I. Before the Earthquake
 Engage yourself in training activities that promote safety and disaster
preparedness.
 Participate in government-initiated earthquake drill and evacuation drills.
 Participate in some private companies providing training on emergency
response skills. This is part of your preparation.
 Share your acquired knowledge and skills to your family and friends.
II. During the Earthquake
A. Indoors

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  Stay inside
 Drop, cover and hold on. Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Take
cover under and hold onto a piece of heavy furniture or stand against an inside
wall. Stay indoors until the shaking stops. Stay away from windows and doors.
 If you are in bed, hold on, stay and protect your head with a pillow.
B. Outdoors
 Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
 Drop to the ground until the shaking stops.
III. After the Earthquake
A. Personal Safety
 Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, drop, cover and hold on.
 Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself by wearing long pants, a long-
sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves.
 Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency
information.
 Check others for injuries. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move
seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further
injury.
 Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance like
infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
B. Home
 Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
 Fires: Look for and extinguish small fires.
 Gas: Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise,
open a window and leave building. Turn off the gas at the valve.
 Electricity: Look for electrical system damage. Turn off the electricity at the
main fuse box or circuit breaker if you see sparks or broken or frayed wires,
or if smell hot insulation. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box
or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

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 First Aid
It is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by
non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical
treatment can be accessed.
A good first aider must possess the following characteristics:
 Watchful – pay strict attention to the situation.
 Resourceful – ability of devising ways and means.
 Gentle – having a kind and calm characteristic.
 Diplomatic – careful in saying a word not to upset other people.
 Sympathetic – a mutual association or feeling to be shown to the victim.
 Gladsome – possessing a good spirit, likely to display gloom.
General Directions for First Aid
1. Give immediate action. Action taken needs to be cautious not to cause panic. The
first-aider must remain calm all the times.
2. Keep the victim on its position; if possible lay him/her down.
3. Assess the situation. Examine the victim from injuries.
4. Plan action to be taken. It involves seeking expert assistance.