JUMALON, Nathaniel John U.

1
2011-27829
Laboratory 1: Work and Occupational Hazards

OCCUPATION: Science Research Specialist I

I work for the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development in Department of Science
and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) with the designation Science Research Specialist I (SRS I).
Officially, a SRS is expected to handle various research projects according to their respective field.
In my case, I am assigned projects under the Advancing Health through Evidence-Assisted
Decisions with Health Policy and Systems Research (AHEAD-HPSR) Program, of which research
projects usually revolve around health policy, information dissemination, and other public health
initiatives. However, Science Research Specialists are also asked to perform secretariat work such
as documentation, event planning and management, inter-office coordination, and various other
tasks according to the need.

The PCHRD offices, particularly the Research Information, Communication, and Utilization
Division (RICUD) of which I’m assigned, may be considered quite similar to a quintessential
office workplace with physical facilities for desk work and meetings. Workplace interactions
include employee-employee and project manager (SRS I)-project proponent. The latter is usually
done through the phone or through the internet.

Science Research Specialists often make use of laptops, printers, phones, audiovisual equipment,
and various office supplies.

Table 1. Occupational Hazards and Classification

Occupational Hazard Classification Nature
Cases of flooding Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
Disorganized wiring Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
Irritable project proponents Health Hazard Ergonomic
Unsociable co-workers and supervisors Health Hazard Ergonomic
Broken office chairs Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
Too many devices plugged into electrical Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
sockets
Disorganized office supplies and utilities Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
Sitting down for a long time Health Hazard Ergonomic
Exposure to infectious diseases while on Health Hazard Biological
field visits to areas with endemic diseases
JUMALON, Nathaniel John U. 2
2011-27829
Exposure to possible mosquito breeding Health Hazard Biological
sites
Exposure to cats and dogs which may carry Health Hazard Biological
ticks and other disease vectors
Polluted surroundings Health Hazard Chemical
Flooding leads to exposure to possible Health Hazard Biological
water-borne diseases (e.g. leptospirosis)
Crowded work areas Health Hazard Ergonomic
Crowded area may lead to spread of Health Hazard Biological
communicable diseases
Monotonous job requests (calling to follow- Health Hazard Ergonomic
up on various tasks)
Absentee boss that somehow finds a reason Health Hazard Ergonomic
to blame employee for delays when delays
are caused by lack of boss’ signature
Under-cooked or contaminated cafeteria Health Hazard Biological
food
Broken and unusable comfort room Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
amenities
Leaks forming into puddles Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
Carrying heavy office equipment or supply Safety Hazard Unsafe Act
boxes
Haphazard stacking of boxes, supplies, and Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
office equipment
Stressful job requests that are not part of the Health Hazard Ergonomic
agreed upon job/work contract
Inconsiderate overtime rules Health Hazard Ergonomic
Failures in communication between staff Health Hazard Ergonomic
and supervisors
Heavy traffic around office area Safety Hazard Unsafe Condition
Loud noises due to trains and automobiles Health Hazard Physical
Gossiping co-workers Health Hazard Ergonomic
No control of air-conditioning (either too Health Hazard Physical
cold or too hot)

This is an original work submitted by the undersigned in fulfillment of the requirements of OH

201. References are cited accordingly.