THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in the Cordillera temporarily stopped work at SM City Baguio for safety purposes.
A work stoppage order (WSO) was in effect for five days issued by the Dole to New Golden City Builders and Development Corporation (NGCB) for glitches in the construction at the SM City Baguio at Luneta Hill.
Dole assistant regional director Jesus Elpidio Atal Jr. in a statement said the impasses in safety and health were found during a routine inspection by the department which forced a WSO.
Last Friday, May 11, a WSO was issued by the Dole construction activities undertaken for the extension for SM Baguio in violation of safety and health standards and existence of imminent danger.
Atal said under Dole rules conferences are mandated to be held no less than 72 hours after the WSO was given prompting NGCB to face its lapses and administer the corrective measures or face indefinite suspension of work.
The Dole conducted conferences May 15 and 16 to determine whether the WSO will be declared permanent or lifted after submission of compliance to the violations.
NGCB then submitted proof of compliance via photo documentation, narrative reports and action plans, which was validated.
The Dole conducted an assessment to the extent of compliance of NGCB to safety and health standards as well as evidence of compliance and corrective actions to prove the danger is finally eradicated.
Atal said NGCB will be continuously monitored after the incident if standards are being kept as well as danger being abated.
“After thorough evaluation of the compliance submitted and actual inspection of the implementation of the corrective measures reported, the danger sought to be avoided no longer exist hence, the WSO is lifted.”
The validation report from the Dole showed the following lapses by NGCB which was corrected within less than a week.
Falling from height hazards and struck by falling objects with workers being in at the risk of falling from heights due to lack of barricades and barriers in open areas without provisions of safety net or canopy to catch the falling debris, materials and workers exposing both workers from above and below to danger.
Lifelines and harnesses are not properly anchored with some employees working at heights were not provided with a harness or not using the provided harness.
Safety inspectors also noted the lack of signages to warn people of the possible risk of fall the absence of emergency rescue plan in case someone falls.
Unsafe lifting procedure as observed during crane lifting process, the load passes above employees and walking pedestrians with no alarm system to warm workers and pedestrians.
Electrical hazards were present with open wires and were not properly insulated with frayed, damaged with exposed wires which can result to electrocution.
Heavy equipment and operators certification was also lacking with all heavy equipment were not tested and certified safe to operate, there was also a lone operator qualified to operate the equipment.
Scaffolds were also at risk with no qualified personnel to install and existing scaffolds not properly installed. There was also no proper inspection and maintenance were conducted to ensure that all scaffolds are in good condition and safe to use, while movable scaffolds locking casters were damaged.
The area suffered from poor Illumination and the lack of emergency routes and plans and fire extinguishers.
For workers safety, the Dole also found drinking water was unsanitary and the lack of first aid kits on site with the employee’s walkway being compromised that can result to possible accidents caused by falling objects.
Work at the SM area resumed May 15.