DOLE-7 orders construction of school building stopped

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment-7 issued a stoppage order against the construction of a school's four-storey science building over safety issues.

DOLE-7 director Exequiel Sarcauga issued the order based on the investigation conducted by its Labor Laws Compliance offi-cer after two incidents involving falling steel bars.

The incidents have reportedly damaged two vehicles parked at the DOLE's parking area.

    In a statement, DOLE-7 said the project is owned by the Colegio de la Immmaculada Concepcion located along Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City, which is a block away from the DOLE-7 parking area.

 Sarcauga said that aside from the CIC management, the project's general contractor, Cebu Kreg Construction and Development Corporation, was also issued with the same order.

 Sarcauga said the contractor does not have an approved Construction Safety and Health Program, no sufficient debris catchers and provisions on safety nets, and no safety signages and guardrails along the project's edges and stair openings.

 He added that there was no structural analysis of scaffolds duly signed by a structural engineer presented during the investigation.

  Other deficiencies noted under the Occupational Safety and Health Standards include lack of health and safety committee, lack of full-time first aider, no TESDA-certified scaffold erector and no regular collection of waste, garbage, and scrap materials.

  The contractor also has no mandatory policies on anti-sexual harassment and for a drug-free workplace and failed to conduct safety and health orientation among the workers, said Sarcauga.

The DOLE-7 director said representatives of the contractor appeared in his office for a mandatory conference and were given until today to comply with all deficiencies noted.  (FREEMAN)