FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
Second Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people 
and instill health consciousness among them. 
Millions of workers engaged in manufacturing parts for products such as 
automobiles, farm equipment, aircraft, heavy machinery, and other hardware are exposed 
to metalworking fluids (MWFs). Metalworking fluids are in widespread, high volume use 
for their coolant, lubricant, and corrosion resistant properties during machining 
operations. Metalworking fluids also provide corrosion protection for the newly 
machined part and machine tool. 
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Metalworking fluids can cause adverse health effects through skin c u a c t  with 
contaminated materials, spray, or mist and through inhalation from breathing MWF mist 
or aerosol. Skin and airborne exposures to MWFs have been implicated in health 
problems including irritation of the skin, lungs, eyes, nose and throat. Conditions such as 
dermatitis, acne, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, irritation of the upper respiratory 
tract, and a variety of cancers have been associated with exposure to MWFs. The severity 
of health problems is dependent on a variety of factors such as the kind of fluid, the 
degree and type of contamination, and the level and duration of the exposure. 
Skin contact occurs when the worker dips hisher hands into the fluid or handles 
parts, tools, and equipment covered with fluid without the use of personal protective 
equipment, such as gloves and aprons. Skin contact may also result from fluid splashing 
onto the employee from the machine if guarding is absent or inadequate. Inhalation of 
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MWF mist or aerosol may cause irritation of the lungs, throat, and nose. In general, 
respiratory irritation involves some type of chemical interaction between the MWF and 
the human respiratory system. Exposure to MWF mist or aerosol may also aggravate the 
effects of existing lung disease. A number of studies have found an association between 
working with MWF and a variety of cancers, including cancer of the rectum, pancreas, 
larynx, skin, scrotum, and bladder. 
This bill seeks to address the health and safety concerns posed by MWF use in the 
workplace. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
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Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE USE OF 
METALWORKING FLUIDS IN THE WORKPLACE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “MWF Regulatory Act of 
2008.” 
SECTION 2. DeJinition of terms. - As used in this Act, the tem- 
(A) “Metalworking fluids” or MWF refer to a range of oils and other liquids that are used 
to cool and/or lubricate metal work pieces when they are being machined, ground, milled, 
or industrially processed; 
(B) “Department” means the Department of Labor and Employment; 
SECTION 3. Requirements for a workplace using MWFs. - an employer must observe 
the following requirements if he uses MWFs in his place of business- 
(A)Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) from the supplier to know exactly what 
type of MWF they are working with and what precautions to take; 
(B) Obtain technical bulletins that may provide additional health and safety information; 
(C) Choose MWFs with the least toxic materials, whenever possible; 
(D)Proper design and operation of the MWF delivery system- Use a system designed to 
generate a minimum amount of fluid mist. It is prohibited to use compressed air to 
blow clean parts covered with MWF as the air pressure causes the MWF to be 
airborne; 


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(E) Install complete enclosures or splash guards, depending on the operation, to keep the 
metalworking fluids contained and away from the operator; 
(F) Use exhaust ventilation to prevent accumulation and recirculation of airborne 
contaminants; 
(G)Proper maintenance of equipment- 
Reduce the amount of contamination into the 
MWFs, such as hydraulic oils and other "tramp" oils, by keeping equipment in good 
working order. 
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- 
The Department shall adopt the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations for this Act which shall include the following: 
(A) Adoption of administrative controls in the form of good work practices; 
(B) Guidelines for the mandatory use of personal protective equipment and clothing 
where necessary; 
(C) Proper engineering controls to minimize the deleterious effects of M W s .  
SECTION 5. Penalties. - The Department is empowered to establish and assess penalties 
or fines against an employer for violations of this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In 
no circumstance will any penalties or fines exceed P10,OOO.OO for each day the permit holder 
remains in violation. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,