DOLE orders Hanjin subcontractor to stop work after deadly mishap

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued a work stoppage order against a subcontractor of Hanjin Heavy Industries Corporation Philippines (HHIC Phils) after one worker was killed and three others were injured in an accident at the Hanjin shipyard in Subic, Zambales.

According to DOLE's statement on Thursday, the four workers fell from a scaffolding in the shipyard area at around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

DOLE-3 regional director Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita said that the subcontractor, Binictican I-Tech Corporation, "failed to strictly implement and monitor safety procedures," citing an investigation.

DOLE noted that the subcontractor has extended initial financial assistance to the victims and assured its full cooperation, but said that the work stoppage order will remain in effect until the subcontractor fully complies with occupational safety and health standards.

This includes submitting the required employer’s accident-illness report, accident illness report with attached photos of the incident, medical documents, and proof of financial assistance given to victims' families.

DOLE said the lone fatality, identified as Ferdinand Leuterio, died in the hospital two days after the incident. Those rushed to treatment were identified as Gerry Bayuta, Johnny Alegre, and Vailian Dela Cruz.

Citing a report from technical safety inspectors, Campita detailed that the concentrated weight of the workers and raw materials and equipment might have caused the tilting of the scaffolding.

The workers’ supervisor reportedly notified the inspectors that only two workers were allowed to work in the area.

Moreover, the team said the bolt of the scaffolding’s bracket was "sheared."

“Clearly, there was an unsafe working condition because of an overload of workers and their equipment on the scaffolding, causing its sudden collapse," Campita said.

"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,” she added. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News