Inspection safety report for a multipurpose cooperative
Our service learning project for Bigay Buhay Co-op that details a safety audit 👷🏻♂️
OVERVIEW:
This was a service learning project in conjunction with a partner organization to apply our studies into! This project involved conducting a comprehensive occupational safety and health (OSH) inspection at the Bigay Buhay Multipurpose Cooperative , a sewing and garment production facility with 74 employees. The objective was to evaluate compliance with DOLE–OSHA Standards and identify workplace hazards, operational inefficiencies, and risks to worker health and safety. The team utilized OSHA checklists, risk assessment matrices, job hazard analyses, and environmental measurements (illumination, temperature, noise levels) to develop improvement recommendations.
FINDINGS:
The following are the findings that we have garnered based on our inspection of the cooperative in line also with the standards that were discussed in teachings:
1. Safety & Health Practices Strengths:
- Active medical coordination with nearby hospitals.
- Conducted fire and earthquake drills per barangay and national guidelines.
- On-site employee safety training programs.
Gaps:
- Minimal PPE allocation (e.g., gloves, eye protection).
- No fire extinguishers, sprinklers, or adequate fire protection equipment.
- Poor ventilation and confined workspaces.
2. Risk Assessment Highlights
| Task | Hazard | Risk Level | Recommended Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparing Cloth | Unstable wooden cabinet | High | Replace with stable, secure storage |
| Sewing | Insufficient workspace | Medium | Provide workstations with adequate spacing |
| Trimming | Same room as heat press | Medium | Relocate to separate room or install physical divider |
| Printing | Exposed heat press near flammable materials | High | Improve storage layout and add clear safety signage |
| Packing | Trip hazards and presence of sharp materials | Low | Stabilize stacked items and require PPE usage |
3. Fire Safety Concerns
- No fire extinguishers or sprinklers present.
- Narrow, obstructed emergency exits with inward-opening doors.
- Heat press surrounded by flammable materials.
- Cluttered pathways and poor ventilation.
4. Electrical Safety Issues
- No electrical safety signages or machine operation instructions.
- Over-reliance on extension cords due to lack of individual sockets.
- Exposed and unenclosed electrical wiring.
5. Environmental Measurements
| Area | Illumination (Lux) | Temperature (°C) | Noise (dB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloth Cutting | 56 | 31.9 | 33 |
| Cloth Sewing | 83 | — | 34 |
| Finish Inspection | 30 | — | 40 |
| Finish Assembly | 30 | — | 40 |
| Fine Machining | 2 | — | 43 |
| Machine Light | 401 | — | — |
- Lighting levels below ideal in most areas.
- Indoor temperature ~32°C with inadequate ventilation.
- Noise levels (33–43 dB) safe but constant machine hum present.
LEARNINGS:
We were able to apply the OSHA Checklist for structured compliance audit. Risk Assessment Matrix for Prioritized hazards based on likelihood and severity. Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for task-based hazard identification and controls. WAIR Documentation Review for verified DOLE compliance for monthly injury/illness reports.
The connection that is required to discuss technical concepts to the hearing–impaired employees within the cooperative was a struggle and as well as a learning experience to be grounded every time within the assembly line and workstations. For me given the impairments of the workers, double precautionary and a safety culture is a must to ensure that their workplace is within standard of how every worker should be treated. Overall, it was a great experience to be able to learn and experience the challenges of the workers in the cooperative and apply our learnings into the field.
PS. Thanks to Bro. Kino and the Dept. for the opportunity for this memorable service learning project. Shoutout to my co-implements for this project ykwya!