CONSTRUCTION companies conducting business in the city are now required to provide an independent construction safety officers at their project sites to ensure compliance with the safety standards.
The requirement is embodied in Ordinance No. 3 series of 2019 approved on January 14 by the City Council.
The move was an offshoot of the June 2018 incident in the city where two construction firm employees died when the barracks they were staying in within the construction project site got hit by a landslide caused by heavy waterflow.
“Apparently, there was no independent construction safety engineer nor officer present who could have advised personnel on safety measures to be undertaken. The incident may have been prevented should there be appropriate measures undertaken pursuant to the (Dole) Dept. of Labor and Employment No. 13, Series of 1998,” the body noted.
The Dole order provides guidelines governing safety and health in the construction industry which the ordinance seeks to address through the appointment of safety officers.
“This Ordinance aims to elevate the quality and competitiveness of the construction industry by promoting good practices in relation to occupational safety and health, project management, supervision and other areas conducive to improving construction quality,” the ordinance said.
The measure will cover all construction activities including demolition, whether owned by the private or the government sector and within the jurisdiction of the City Government.
As per procedure, the contractor will have to notify in writing the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) of their construction operations/activities including the employment of a safety engineer within 15 days after any construction operations have commenced.
The CBAO in coordination with the City Engineering Office will conduct a concentrated inspection/enforcement campaign in areas where reports of construction is in danger or at high risk.
Violators will be fined P5,000 and will face imprisonment of six months or both.
The sanction will also be apart from administrative, civil or criminal offenses that may be filed against violators. (PR)