n. 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 1735 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
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There are several health problems associated with computer use. All of them are 
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avoidable, through the use of ergonomic principles. Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job 
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to the worker, rather than expecting workers to accommodate themselves to uncomfortable 
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equipment, postures, and work organization. 
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As with any task done repeatedly, working on a computer for long periods of time can 
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cause inflammation of tendons, nerve sheaths and ligaments and damage to soft tissues. 
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Depending on an individual's sensitivity to the repeated movements of keyboarding, the 
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cumulative effect can be disabling. Resulting conditions are called cumulative trauma disorders 
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(CTDs). Different types of forearm and wrist CTDs from computer use are carpal tunnel 
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syndrome, tenosynovitis, epicondylitis, tendinitis, DeQuervain's disease and ganglionic cysts. 
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Neck add shoulder pain and stiffness can occur from improper placement of the computer 
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monitor, mouse or document you are working from. If these items are not placed correctly, the 
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muscles of the neck and shoulders are constantly working to keep the head and arms in an 
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awkward position. Many people who use computers for prolonged periods of time complain of 
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eyestrain, eye fatigue, eye irritation and blurred vision. This bill seeks to inform employees about 
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the ways to avoid health risks related to computer use and protect them from it.! 
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. MIRIAM DEF NSOR S1\NTIy.;u 
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I This bill was originally filed in the third regular session of the 14'h Congress. 
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, 
FIFTEENTH. CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Sf:NAJa.at: 
S. No. 
1.1 t) 
Ij 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
I 
AN ACT 
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CREATING OFFICE ERGONOMIC STANDARDS TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH RISKS 
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RELATED TO COMPUTER USE IN THE WORKPLACE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Office Computer Ergonomics 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Office ergonomic standards. - The fOllowing standards shall be required for 
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employers who have employees who use computers in their workplace: 
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(a) Chairs must be adjustable to allow the user to move the seat up and down depending 
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on the height of the user; 
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(b) For employees who are required to copy or to type from another document, a 
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doc,ument holder must be provided; 
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(c) Computer monitors must be positioned to lessen glare coming from external sources; 
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(d) The rear of computer monitors should be at least three feet from another employee; 
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(e) Defective computer screens that flicker or wave must be repaired as soon as possible 
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and the employee must not be forced to work with a defective computer monitor; 
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(f) Employees who regularly work in front of computer monitors must be allowed to rest 
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their eyes on a regular basis; 
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(g) Every company must hold an ergonomic standard seminar where a representative 
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from the Department of Health shall talk about the details of this Act and give other 
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means to lessen the health strain caused by computers in the workplace. 
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SECTION 3. Duty of the Department of Labor and Employment. - The Department of 
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Labor and Employment is required to verify the compliance of employers with the provisions of 
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this Act. 
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SECTION 4. Penalties. - The Department of Labor and Employment is empowered to 
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establish and assess penalties or fines against any person for violations of this Act or regulations 
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adopted under this Act. In no case shall the fine exceed one hundred thousand pesos 
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(PlOO,OOO.OO\. 
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SECTION 5. 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 6. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instmction, administrative order, mle or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. 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. 
Approved, 
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