DoLE stresses safety at construction sites

MANILA, Philippines — Construction companies were reminded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to strictly enforce occupational safety and health standards (OSHS) in their worksites to keep their workers out of harm’s way.

The labor department issued the reminder following recent accidents in construction sites.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz earlier also received the report of the DoLE-National Capital Regional Office (DoLE-NCR) on the result of the accident investigation conducted at the Belle Grande Resort and Casino on Aseana Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Aseana Business Park Complex, Baclaran, Parañaque City.

In his report, DoLE-NCR Director Raymundo Agravante said that while the investigation of the accident found no violation of the occupational safety and health standards, it is timely to again remind construction companies to keep their workplaces safe.

On April 15, a nine-meter high elevator corewall steel/rebar assembly at the Belle Grande Resort worksite accidentally tilted when one of the guy ropes was snapped by a strong gust.

There were four steel workers at the assembly at the time, and two of them, Mauricio Mollejon and Rommel Tan, sustained minor injuries.

Agravante said that for corrective measures, Reynaldo Rodrin, area manager, and Engineer Arthur Bitanio, project manager, were advised and directed to provide all steel/rebar assemblies of sufficient bracing and standard guy ropes.

The DoLE-NCR chief reminded construction companies of Department Order No. 13, series of 1998, prescribing the guidelines governing occupational safety and health standards in the construction industry, particularly Section 2.1, which reads, thus: “As embodied in Article 162, Chapter 2, Title I of Book Four of The Labor Code of the Philippines, “The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall, by appropriate orders, set and enforce mandatory occupational safety and health standards to eliminate or reduce occupational safety and health hazards in all work places and institute new and update existing programs to ensure safe and healthful working conditions in all places of employment.”

Agravante said the order also specifies that the DoLE “shall be solely responsible for the administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health laws, regulations and standards in all establishments and workplaces wherever they may be located.”

The issuance also applies to general building construction, general engineering construction, and specialty trade construction, based on the classification code of the Philippine Construction Accreditation Board (PCAB) of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP).

Also covered are companies and entities involved in demolition work, and those falling within the construction industry as may be determined by the labor secretary. –LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO, Manila Bulletin