Depending on the number of employees and/or the nature of the work being completed at the workplace, the Labor Code requires employers to provide medical, dental and first aid services and facilities in the workplace as follows:
1. Where the number of employees exceeds 50 but is not more than 200:
● for a hazardous workplace, the employer must provide the services of a full-time registered nurse;
● for a non-hazardous workplace, the employer must provide the services of a graduate first-aider (if no registered nurse is available).
2. Where the number of employees exceeds 200 but is not more than 300, the employer must provide the services of:
● a full-time registered nurse;
● a part-time physician, who must stay in the premises for at least two hours;
● a part-time dentist, who must stay in the premises for at least two hours. Employers must also provide an emergency clinic.
3. Where the number of employees exceeds 300, the employer must provide the services of:
● a full-time registered nurse;
● a full-time physician;
● a full-time dentist.
● Employers must also provide a dental clinic and an infirmary or emergency hospital with one bed capacity for every 100 employees.
However, an employer need not put up an emergency hospital or dental clinic in the workplace where any of the following apply:
● There is a hospital or dental clinic which is not more than five kilometers away from the workplace.
● The workplace is situated in an urban area.
● There is a hospital or dental clinic which can be reached by motor vehicle in 25 minutes of travel.
● The workplace is situated in a rural area and the employer has facilities readily available for transporting a worker to a hospital or clinic in case of emergency.
The employer must enter into a written contract with the hospital or dental clinic which allows the employer to use their services for the treatment of workers in the case of an emergency.
Philippine labor laws have provisions which are intended to ensure the preservation and protection of the safety, health and welfare of employees. In this regard, the Labor Code mandates the Department of Labor and Employment to set and enforce mandatory occupational safety and health standards to eliminate or reduce safety and health issues in the workplace and institute new programs, or update those already existing, to ensure safe and healthy working conditions in all places of employment. Where non-compliance with the law poses grave and imminent danger to the health and safety of workers in the workplace, or results in injury to, or the death of, an employee, a number of sanctions can be imposed on the employer, including the stoppage of work or suspension of operations and the imposition of civil and criminal penalties.
Notes: Regardless of your business size/type, you should furnish first-aid medicines and equipment.
Notes: Regardless of your business size/type, all employees should go through annual physical examination (APE) for the purpose of business permit renewal (Sanitary Permit). You may use accredited clinic or City Health Office. There is no clear rule on who should shoulder the expenses but normally it’s the company who shoulder it.