SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S No 
',,1'.)'1<) 
" . 
, 
___ 1";' ~, ,~ 0 
) 
) 
) 
Introrluced hy Senator Mirimn Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
",' ";) 
~\ I: ',t 
• 
---------
--- --
. 
TO PROVIDE FOR UNIFORM WARNINGS ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE 
EQUIPMENT FOR OCCUPATIONAL USE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 14, states: 
The State shall afford filii protection (0 lahor, lo~al and overseas, 
organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of 
employment opportunities for all. 
The Labor Code, Atiiele 162 provides that the Secretary of Labor and 
Employment shall issue appropriate orders, set and enforce occupational safety and 
health standards in all workplaces and institute programs to ensure safe and healthful 
working conditions in all places of employment. 
Presently, there is a lack of uniform warnings for personal protective equipment 
for occupational use. This situation has confused both employers and employees on the 
proper use of such equipment, This has increased worker exposure to workplace injuries 
and illnesses, 
This bill seeks to provide safety warning standards 10 reduce injuries and illnesses 
resulting from the faulty usc of occupational equipment' 
~ This bill was originally tlled during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHIL! PPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENA,Jli 28 
S. No 
",0 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced hy Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
.... _.--- _._-----
~~ 
Be it enacted by the Senate and thr! House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
TO PROVIDE FOR UNIFORM WARNINGS ON PERSONAL PROTECTIVE 
3 
EQUIPMENT FOR OCCUPATIONAL USE 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This shall be known as the "Uniform Warnings on 
5 
Protective Equipment Act." 
6 
SECTION 2. Declaration (f State Policy.- It is hereby oeclared state policy to 
7 
increase workplace safety by enhancing understanding of the proper use and limits of 
8 
personal protective equipment for occupational nse through occupational safety and 
9 
health standards that establish specific coherent and effective uniform warnings for such 
10 
equipment. 
J 1 
SECTION 3. Definition a/Terms. - For purposes of this Act. the term: 
12 
(A) "Pel'sonal protective equipment" means equipment intendeo for lise hy 
13 
workers in a workplace subject to this Act to protect the eyes, face, head, 
14 
bearing, extremities, or a respiratory tract from workplace hazards or to 
15 
function as protective clothing, as a protective shield or harrier, as personal 
16 
fall arrest or ladder safety devices. or as safety and health monitoring and 
17 
instrumentation oevices; and 
18 
(B) "Warning" means any statement that--


(1) Directs or describes one or more actions, procedures, or prohibitions 
2 
relating to the use of personal protective equipment; and 
, 
(2) If not complied with, may result in personal injury or death to the user 
4 
of the equipment. 
) 
SECTION 4. Stand()rds. - Each standard shall prescribe the full text of each 
6 
warning the means by which the manlljilcturt:r or other seller of the personal protective 
7 
equipment shall communicate each such warning to the employer using such equipment. 
8 
Each standard issued under paragraph for personal protective equipment shall require the 
9 
employer to communicate each prescribed warning to each employee using the personal 
10 
protective equipment, and to train, educate, and instruct each such employee in: 
11 
(A) The proper use of such personal protective equipment; 
12 
(B) How each such warning applies in such employer's workplace and such 
13 
employee's work environm('J1t; and 
14 
(C) The consequences of failing to observe cach such warning. 
15 
SECTION 5. Factors to be Considered. ... The Secretary of Department of Labor 
16 
and Employment, in promulgating standards shall consider such factors as the experience 
17 
of manufacturers using particular warning and the means of communication of such 
18 
warnings, as well as the opinions of workers, human factors experts, the Department of 
19 
Health, and other experts as to the cJTectiveness of such warnings and respective means 
20 
of communications. 
21 
SECTlON 6. Pre-emption . . - Nothing in this Act shall be construed to negate the 
22 
intent of Congress to occupy or regulate the entire field of warnings for personal 
23 
protective equipment for occupational use. 
24 
SECTION 7. Other Standards . . - After a standard issued becomes effective, no 
25 
government agency, 01' any political subdivision, may, by legislation, regulation, court 
2 


decision. or otherwise establish or continue 1Il effe~L ~ny :<tandard, requirement, or 
7. 
prohibition for any personal protective equipment which has the force and effect of law 
j 
which is different from, or in addition to. any requirement set forth in this Act. 
4 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause . .. If any provision or pari hereof is held invalid 
5 
or unconstitutional. the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
6 
remain valid and subsisting. 
7 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
S 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
9 
or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
10 
accordingly. 
J 1 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause., This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
12 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Imamt 
3