DOLE orders subcontractor to stop work in Hanjin shipyard after fatal accident

May 17, 2018

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a work stoppage order (WSO) to Binictican I-Tech Corporation, a subcontractor of Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation Philippines (HHIC Phils), following a fatal accident in the shipyard site.

The WSO was issued to the company based on results of an Accident Investigation on a mishap that occurred at their worksite at the Hanjin shipyard premises over the weekend.

DOLE-3 Regional Director Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that the accident resulted in the fatality of one worker while injuring three others.

“On May 12, around 3:30 in the afternoon, four workers fell from a scaffolding after suddenly tipping down. Prior to the incident, at least 9 workers were on the said scaffolding shaded by a blue canvass for their protection from the heat of the sun while taking their break,” Campita said.

The injured workers who reside in various towns in Zambales were Gerry Bayuta, Johnny Alegre, and Vailian Dela Cruz. They were immediately brought and treated at the nearest town hospital.

The lone fatality, who passed away in the hospital two days later due to internal organ injury, was identified as Ferdinand Leuterio.

Technical Safety Inspectors (TSIs) Angelito Longos, James Ramos, and Arvin Fabian conducted the investigation at the accident site located at the Dockhead 6 P166-A02C within the Hanjin shipyard.

The TSIs reported to Campita that the concentrated weight of the workers and raw materials and equipment might have caused the tilting of the scaffolding.

During the investigation, the TSIs were informed by the workers’ supervisor that only two workers were authorized to work in the said area.

The investigating team also observed that the bolt of the scaffolding’s bracket was sheared.

Campita said that the overall findings of the investigation revealed that the subcontractor failed to strictly implement and monitor safety procedures.

“Clearly, there was an unsafe working condition because of an overload of workers and their equipment on the scaffolding, causing its sudden collapse. Aside from this, unsafe acts were also observed because of workers’ failure to use safety harnesses, as well as their supervisor’s failure to control them on the adherence to safety practices,” Campita said.

The WSO will remain in effect until Binictican I-Tech fully comply with occupational safety and health standards by submitting the required employer’s accident-illness report, accident illness report with attached photos of the incident, medical report/abstract/certificate of victim, duly acknowledged proof of financial assistance given to victim’s family and the other injured victims.

They must also submit their proof of remittance of SSS, PhilHealth, and PagIBIG coverage, proof of payment of victims’ salary while recovering, Employees’ Safety Orientations (HSE Education Report), revised work procedures in different areas of operations, and employment records for ECC claims/SSS Death claim of Ferdinand Leuterio’s family.

The subcontractor, who is scheduled for a conference with the DOLE, has already extended initial financial assistance to the victims and assured their full cooperation. DMS