Subic Freeport’s occupational health clears Stage 1 ISO audit

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — This premier Freeport’s occupational health and safety system has passed the Stage 1 audit for the ISO 45001:2018 standard.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, the ISO 45001:2018 is also known as the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS).

Aliño credited the achievement to the OHSMS Team, led by Dr. Solomon Jacalne, manager of the Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD) and OHSMS management representative, for developing the system for SBMA.

“The SBMA is already certified in two international standards—the ISO 9001 for Quality Management Systems and the ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems. As we strive to provide better services for our stakeholders, we are now complying with the ISO 45001 standards,” Aliño said.

He added that the ISO 45001:2018 documentation will further strengthen SBMA’s operations. This complements Republic Act 11058, or “An act strengthening compliance with occupational safety and health standards and providing penalties for violations thereof,” and Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2020, also known as the “Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards for the Public Sector” issued by the Civil Service Commission, Department of Health, and Department of Labor.

Dr. Jacalne explained that the ISO 45001:2018 standard provides a framework for managing occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks and opportunities. Its goal is to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and to provide safe, healthy workplaces.

“It basically aims to reduce risks in the workplace and improve employee safety and health as it develops proactive measures for health and safety,” Jacalne said.

During the Stage 1 audit conducted online by DQS Certification Phils. Inc., SBMA successfully passed with only a few opportunities for improvement. DQS Certification Phils. Inc., a subsidiary of Germany-based DQS Group operating in more than 60 countries, has certified SBMA’s compliance since 2018.

Meanwhile, at the “Talakayan sa Freeport” media forum organized by the SBMA Corporate Communications Group, Fire Chief Ranny Magno, PHSD Medical Services Division Chief Dr. Arlene Cesa, and Law Enforcement Department Manager Col. Alfredo Agustin Jr. discussed safety and preparedness.

“When we talk about safety, it’s a way of life. If we practice it, we develop a culture of excellence among the workforce in SBMA. It’s not just a document; it must be put into practice,” Magno said.

Cesa noted that the most challenging part of the documentation process is monitoring and maintaining the system. “We should normalize preparedness, not only for calamities and disasters, but in our daily lives as well. Preparedness should impact our lives, not only in our workplace but in our families, as well,” she said.

The SBMA OHSMS team is currently preparing for the face-to-face Stage 2 audit scheduled in November.