Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma issued Labor Advisory No. 18 directing pyrotechnic establishments to observe the requirements of Republic Act No. 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSH) Law.
Laguesma said handling explosive materials demands strict adherence to safety procedures, as lapses could result in serious or fatal incidents.
The advisory reinforces full compliance with Department Order No. 134, Series of 2014, which mandates safety systems for pyrotechnic operations. Covered establishments include fireworks factories, storage warehouses, and retail outlets selling firecrackers.
Under the order, pyrotechnic firms must designate trained safety and health personnel, implement occupational security and health programs, and craft workplace policies addressing major operational hazards.
Workers, for their part, are expected to participate in safety trainings and support company-wide OSH initiatives.
DOLE regional offices and labor laws compliance officers have been tasked to enforce the rules and intensify inspections of pyrotechnic factories and stores
The agency also instructed its regional units to coordinate with the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine National Police, and local government units to identify unsafe operations.
