March 28, 2024

Accidents at construction sites can range from minor to tragic, and some even result in death.
The types of injuries recorded at construction sites include amputations, blindness, deafness, broken bones, back injuries, burns, concussion, and wounds.
These accidents could be due to negligence of others, faulty construction equipment; absence or lack of personal protective equipment, use of defective products or defective machines; inadequate safety or equipment training, absence of first aiders, safety officers and medical personnel at construction sites or workplaces, lack of safety signages, and even reckless co-workers.
The fatal accident that occurred in a construction project at Camp 7, Baguio City where a laborer was crushed when a riprap support beside him collapsed as he was excavating on site is a grim reminder how hazardous construction work is, and therefore contractors and their subcontractors must seriously mind their workers’ safety by complying strictly with Occupational Safety and Health regulations and adhering fully to construction standards.
Seeking to achieve zero accident in all construction workplaces, Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra has directed labor inspectors and personnel of the Occupational Safety and Health Center-Regional Extension Office to see to it that no more fatal accidents will happen.
Lacambra has warned developers, construction companies, contractors and their subcontractors not to take lightly nor disregard construction safety and health, by ensuring that their construction sites and workplaces are healthful and safe, adding that there is no compromise in wrongful death cases of workers resulting from construction accidents.
Health and safety is crucial in attaining productivity in the workplace, but more so, the rights at work of the workers which calls for a safe environment to prevent occupational injuries, fatalities, and including days and income loss brought about by accidents.
Starting mid-April, DOLE labor inspectors will strictly implement the memorandum of agreement between the DOLE and the Department of Public Works and Highways aimed at improving the process of approving construction safety and health programs (CSHP), a fundamental requirement for all construction operations.
The MOA outlines the responsibilities of the DOLE and the DPWH on the approval of CSHP.
Under the MOA, CSHP applications initially approved by the DPWH shall be considered as approved if it was not acted upon on the sixth day following the prescribed process cycle time of five working days from the date of submission of complete documents. In such case, the DPWH may rely on the CSHP approved by the concerned DOLE regional office and the notice posted in its official website.
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III has signed Department Order 198, which details the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11058 or “An act strengthening compliance with occupational safety and health standards and providing penalties for violations thereof.”
The IRR, signed Dec. 7, 2018, took effect on Jan. 25, 2019 and applies to all establishments, projects and sites, and all other places where work is being undertaken wherein the number of employees, nature of operations, and risk or hazard involved in the business requires compliance. It also covers contractors and subcontractors and those engaged in the projects of the public sector.
This year, DOLE-CAR aims to inspect more high risk workplaces such as construction sites and those reported with high Covid-19 cases such as business process outsourcing companies, transportation sector and manufacturing sectors
“You don’t need to know the whole alphabet of safety. The A, B, C of it will save you if you follow it: Always Be Careful.”