The impact of workplace accidents can be lessened if proper occupational safety and health measures are implemented. RA No. 11058 or The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards Act provides policy measures to promote a safe and healthful working environment for all employees.
Workplace accidents do happen, whether we like it not. However, the impact of an accident can be mitigated and lives can be saved if proper occupational safety and health measures are properly implemented.
Veteran TV actor Eddie Garcia recently passed away on 20 June 2019 at the age of 90. This was caused by a severe cervical fracture he suffered after tripping and falling while shooting an action for a GMA-7 TV series. GMA-7 Management is currently investigating the said accident to determine potential liability and their course of action.
The issue has prompted legislators and citizens alike to discuss the importance of workplace safety, particularly on the presence of a medical standby team to provide emergency medical care and first aid in case of an accident.
Respected TV personalities have also come out and shared their experiences during tapings for movies and television series where their health and safety were compromised due to the lack/absence of safe work practices and measures.
In reality, workers in the media industry are always surrounded by hazards- from collapsing sets to malfunctioning explosives used in fight scenes, among others.
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards Act or Republic Act No. 11058 provides policy measures to promote a safe and healthful working environment for all working people by affording them full protection against all hazards in the work place and provides penalties for their violations. However, there is a lack of media-specific OSH regulations to address existing work hazards.
Due to the dangers media workers and professionals face when performing work, professional groups and workers of the media industry should egg on government to come-up with regulations relevant to the welfare of professional media workers and practitioners. Media networks should also come together to come-up with industry best practices aimed at raising awareness and reducing incidents among media workers and professionals. Both parties are at risk of losing money or lives when accidents happen.
At the end of the day, media workers and professionals make use of their body as their primary tool for work. Hence, their physical fitness, mental health and vocal stability must be given attention by their employers as damage to any of these may compromise their ability to deliver their roles or may end their careers at worst.
