Sf' ,', ,'. n: 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
illlfl'itE of 1m: SI:GRio V,lh' 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First 'Regular Session 
) 
SEN.ttrll 
~,No, ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, 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. 
Metalworking fluids can cause adverse health effects through skin contact 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 his/her 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 MWF mist or aerosol may cause 
irritation of the lungs, throat, and nose. In general, respiratory irritation involves some type of 
(I) 


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. I 
I This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second RegulaI' Session 
(2) 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SEN1lfl1 
S.No. ___ -'-
~ 
... 
V. __ 
_ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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REGULATING THE USE OF 
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METALWORKING FLUIDS IN THE WORKPLACE 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "MWF Regulatory Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the term-
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(A) "Metalworking fluids" or MWF refer to a range of oils and other liquids that are used 
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to cool and/or lubricate metal work pieces when they are being machined, ground, milled, 
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or industrially processed; 
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(B) "Department" means the Department of Labor and Employment; 
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SECTION 3. ReqUirements for a workplace using MWFs. - an employer must observe 
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the following requirements ifhe uses MWFs in his place of business-
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(A) Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) from the supplier to Imow exactly what 
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type of MWF they are working with and what precautions to take; 
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(B) Obtain technical bulletins that may provide additional health and safety information; 
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(C) Choose MWFs with the least toxic materials, whenever possible; 
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(D) Proper design and operation of the MWF delivery system- Use a system designed to 
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generate a minimum amount of fluid mist. It is prohibited to use compressed air to 
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blow clean parts covered with MWF as the air pressure causes the MWF to be 
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airborne; 
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(E) Install complete enclosures or splash guards, depending on the operation, to keep the 
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metalworking fluids contained and away from the operator; 
(I) 


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