Cognitive Appraisal of Occupational Safety and Health Competencies Among Civil Engineers in Catanduanes, Philippines

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) remain a critical concern in the construction industry due to persistent exposure to physical, mechanical, electrical, and environmental hazards. While regulatory frameworks exist, effective OSH implementation largely depends on the competencies of professionals responsible for construction planning and supervision. This study assessed the perceived Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) competencies of practicing civil engineers in Catanduanes, Philippines, focusing on their knowledge, skills, values and attitudes, and roles in OSH implementation. A descriptive cross-sectional research design employing quantitative methods was used. Data were collected from 31 licensed civil engineers actively involved in construction projects through a validated self-administered questionnaire grounded in Republic Act No. 11058 and related OSH standards. Descriptive statistical tools, including weighted mean and frequency distribution, were used for data analysis. Results indicate that civil engineers demonstrated strong awareness of OSH laws, general safety principles, and positive safety values, along with a high sense of responsibility in enforcing OSH policies. However, significant gaps were identified in advanced technical OSH skills, particularly in electrical hazard prevention, machine guarding application, operation of mechanical handling equipment, fire extinguishing techniques, workplace hazard evaluation using Work Environment Measurement (WEM), interpretation of Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), environmental control systems such as industrial ventilation, and OSH program development. These gaps were attributed to limited access to specialized, hands-on OSH training in a geographically isolated provincial context. The study underscores the need for competency-based, skills-oriented OSH training interventions targeting these identified technical areas to strengthen construction safety performance. The findings provide localized empirical evidence to support policy enhancement, professional development planning, and improved OSH implementation in provincial and developing-country construction settings.