SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 1313 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
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AU615 P3:14 
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 propertiesiduring machining operations. Metalworking fluids 
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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, 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 several 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 hislher 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 
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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 
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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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f}ft . MIRIAM DEF~NSOR S"ANTIfJO 
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• This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Se,ond Regular Session. 
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:Sermtr 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
'~If<t' "f 1l1<)iim.forv 
OF THE PI-IILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
AUG 15 P 3 :14 
S. N;mr:I1. 3 
_________________________ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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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: 
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SECTION 1. 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, or 
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industrially processed; and 
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(B) "Secretary" means the Secretary 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 if the employer uses MWFs in the employer's place of business-
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(A) 
Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) from the supplier to know exactly 
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what type of MWF they are working with apd what precautions to take; 
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(B) 
Obtain technical bulletins that may provide additional health and safety 
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information; 
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(C) 
Choose MWFs with the least toxic materials, whenever possible; 
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(D) 
Use a system designed. to generate a minimum amount of fluid mist. It is 
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prohibited to use compressed air to blow clean parts covered with MWF as the air pressure 
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causes the MWF to be airborne; 
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(E) 
Install complete enclosures or splash guards, depending on the operation, to keep 
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the metalworking fluids contained and away from the operator; 
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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) 
Reduce the amOlmt of contamination into the MWFs, such as hydraulic oils and 
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other "tramp" oils, by keeping equipment in good working order. 
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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
The Secretary of Labor and 
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Employment shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations for this Act which shall 
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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 of MWFs. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - The Secretary is empowered to establish and assess penalties or 
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fines against an employer for violations of this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In no 
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circumstance will any penalties or finest, fl!,ceed PlO,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 of this Act is hereby rep.llaled, 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. 
Approved, 
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