Companies to be required to submit safety, health program

Written By:  Kristianne Fusilero
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Category: Economy

The Office of City Building Official will start requiring business establishments starting next month to secure an approved construction safety and health program from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) before the issuance of building permits.

Acting City Building Official Jaime G. Adalin said it would be an added requirement before getting a building permit for the companies that planned to construct their projects like commercial, high-rise or residential units in the city.

“This (requirement) is to ensure safety especially of the construction workers,” he said.

He said the move to require the companies to secure first a DOLE-approved construction safety and health program before getting a permit is needed to avert what had happened before when two different malls collapsed.

The DOLE-approved construction safety and health program outlines the plans of companies to prevent accidents during construction like providing safety signage, proper equipment for the workers such as goggles, first aid and monthly accident and illness report.

The program is already one of the requirements set by DOLE pursuant to Department Order No. 13. The general contractor or main contractor should submit the program in the department for approval before the company could start the actual implementation of construction works.

The department decided to issue the order after the 39-storey Eton Tower in Makati collapsed early last year. The incident killed 10 construction workers when an electric gondola that they were using gave way while constructing the tower.

In April last year, the DOLE with the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior and Local Government and Professional Regulation Commission also signed an agreement to strengthen its linkages toward promoting the welfare among workers.

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Companies to be required to submit safety, health program