Report accidents at work sites within 24 hours – DOLE

MANILA, Philippines – Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has ordered all regional directors of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to report work-related accidents in their jurisdiction within 24 hours.

“I want DOLE regional directors to submit a report on work accidents in their jurisdiction 24 hours after the occurrence of such accidents,” Baldoz said.

She said the report should include information on whether the concerned establishment has been issued a compliance certificate on labor laws.

Baldoz issued the directive after DOLE-National Capital Region director Alex Avila issued a work stoppage order against Monolith Construction Development Corp. after one of its workers, Roger Bombita, fell to his death from the 39th floor of a building that the company was constructing in Taguig last month.

“More than the issuance of a work stoppage order, DOLE regional directors are under instruction to make sure that construction companies are complying with occupational safety and health regulations,” she said.

The worker was struck by a beam that fell from the 52nd floor.

Reports said Bombita was not wearing full body harness when the accident occurred.

The DOLE said that while the construction firm had extended financial assistance to the victim, it has not fully paid his salary under Wage Order No. 18.

A team from DOLE-NCR found that Monolith “lacked operational planning and training and had been using unsafe construction methods that contributed to the fatal accident. –Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)