Wednesday, October 08, 2008 200-kg. ramp flap of vessel docked at Pier 5 for repairs falls on 52-year-old welder
A 52-YEAR-OLD welder died on the spot when a 200-kilogram ramp flap of a vessel owned by Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) flipped and landed on him shortly before noon yesterday.
Norberto Cañas, who has been working as a welder of RS and Sons Shipbuilders Inc., was putting finishing touches on the braces he made for the side ramp of mv Filipinas Princess when the accident occurred.
The mv Filipina Princess is docked for repair and renovation at Pier 5, Cebu City.
Cañas, a native of Barangay Cam-banay, Danao City, Cebu suffered severe injuries in the head. The protective gear he used to cover his face while working on the braces was also smashed.
Cañas has been with the RS and Sons for three years.
Snapped
Cirilo Montoya, the designated project-in-charge, told a team of Homicide Section investigators led by SPO1 Roger Nedamo that Cañas was working on the braces that supposedly secured the ramp when it suddenly snapped, causing the estimated 70-ton ramp to bend.
The secondary ramp hit the flap, which flipped and hit Cañas.
Montoya believes that what triggered the accident was the vessel’s unstable position, brought about by the waves.
Montoya said RS and Sons Shipbuilders Inc. has been hired by SLI for the renovation and repair of the vessel docked at the port area.
Montoya, who has been detailed on field work for about three weeks, said they have been working on the vessel for a month now.
Last Monday and yesterday, he said, they were working on the side ramp of the vessel where the fatal accident occurred.
Last Monday, they finished the primary ramp while yesterday, the focus was on the secondary ramp and the flap.
Montoya said they were just about to take their lunch and had called Cañas when the accident took place.
Cañas’ body was taken to San Fernando Funeral Homes. (JTG)
