DOLE to shut down hazardous workplaces in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—The Department of Labor and Employment in Bicol has warned it would shut down hazardous workplaces following the deaths of two male workers in separate incidents this month.

Bob Aranas, safety investigator of DOLE-Bicol, said that to prevent further loss of lives, the agency would close down all establishments, especially construction sites, deemed hazardous and which pose imminent danger to the lives of its workers.

“We cannot just stand by and watch workers suffer, or worse, die from these [senseless] accidents. We must act and close [workplaces] down if necessary and as soon as possible. We work in order to live and not to die,” added DOLE-Bicol regional director Nathaniel Lacambra added.

The first victim, Julio Loyola, 34, was at the top of a metal scaffolding doing a paint job at the second floor of the Cua Building in Tabaco City on March 13, when he fell after momentarily taking off his improvised safety harness.

Loyola, who suffered a broken skull, died several hours later in a nearby hospital, Aranas said.

The building owner has offered amicable settlement but the case has yet to be decided in court, according to Aranas.

The following day, another work site reported the death of an apprentice, Richard Asejo, 23, a graduating student of the Mariner’s Polytechnic Colleges Foundation based in this city taking up Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation.

“Asejo was performing a cleanup in the ballast tank of a docked ship of the Star Ferry at Mayon Docks at Arimbay, Legazpi City. He was holding a lamp to illuminate the area but had accidentally touched the wires and was electrocuted. He was killed on the spot,” Aranas said.

A DOLE investigation showed there was negligence, such as poor supervision and lack of prior training, on the part of the shipping company, according to Aranas.

He said the family of the victim was offered an amicable settlement by the shipping company but the matter has yet to be resolved.

Lacambra said he has formed a four-man Rapid Response Regional Establishment Danger Assessment Team (RaRe RED) to closely monitor establishments, specifically construction sites, for imminent hazards and to provide rapid assessment and assistance in cases of accidents.

The team is trained to respond, assess and recommend immediate measures such as temporary closure within four hours upon receipt of any accident report by DOLE-Bicol.

The team is composed of two highly trained safety engineers, the information officer, assistant regional director and regional director of.

“We don’t want to disrupt business operations but we have no choice. It’s better to close down dangerous establishments or construction sites temporarily rather than have fatalities. Life is precious and safety cannot be compromised,” Lacambra added.

Aranas explained the safety issues problem mainly lies with small-scale construction and work sites and not with big companies as the latter have adapted internationally recognized occupational health and safety administration (OSHA).

For these small companies, Aranas said they were urging them to use Personal Protective Equipment for the sake of the workers and everyone in the working areas. “This will save lives and avert the rising number of deaths,” he added. –Rey M. Nasol, Inquirer Southern Luzon