Work stoppage order on SM mall expansion lifted

May 19, 2018 Metro BLISTT

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has lifted the work stoppage order (WSO) for the contractor of SM Baguio working on the mall’s expansion after some safety measures have been put in place.
DOLE Assistant Regional Director Jesus Elpidio Atal said on Friday (May 18) the WSO of the SM expansion project was lifted on Thursday after the contractor, New Golden City Builders and Development Corporation (NGCB), had patched up their deficiencies.
The DOLE issued a stop work order on May 11, as the ongoing construction posed danger to both the workers and passersby.
“They have complied with their major deficiency and no imminent danger had been found during an inspection,” Atal said, explaining why the agency lifted its work stoppage order that lasted six days.
In a report, the DOLE found in an inspection that the workers risked falling from the scaffolding due to lack of barricades or barriers installed in the area.
The inspectors also noted that lifelines and harnesses that could prevent the workers from falling off were not properly anchored and if they were, they were not anchored on higher elevations of the construction site.
It was also observed that some of the construction workers were not provided with a harness.
Also noted was the lack of signage to warn people of the possibility of objects falling from the construction.
After the issuance of the WSO, the contractor complied with the safety requirements and immediately installed barricades to prevent objects from falling and catch boards to catch falling debris.
The constructor also installed a tent as a temporary barrier, while waiting for the delivery of a permanent barrier and more catch boards.
On May 15, NGCB submitted proof of its compliance with the safety measures, such as photo documentation, narrative reports, and action plans, which led to the DOLE’s lifting of the stop-work order.
With the lifting of the order, NGCB was also required to submit action plans, specifically on testing of heavy equipment and the conduct of the firm’s re-orientation on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards for its workers.
The contractor was also required to submit risk analysis and Safe System of Works for all the activities in the project, as well as to come up with emergency response and rescue programs. PAMELA MARIZ GEMINIANO, PNA / ABN