More than one in six construction establishments and projects monitored in Metro Manila were initially found non-compliant with occupational safety and health standards (OSHS), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported.
The regional office recorded an initial OSHS compliance rate of 83.09 percent following this year’s High-Impact, High-Visibility Inspection (HIHVI) among construction establishments and projects in the National Capital Region.
DOLE-NCR conducted 52 inspections, 698 monitoring activities and eight joint monitoring inspections covering 15,692 construction workers.
Of the establishments and projects monitored, 580 were found compliant with OSHS while 118 were initially identified as non-compliant.
The findings prompted the regional office to stress the need for sustained inspection, corrective action, technical assistance and monitoring in the construction sector.
‘The accomplishment particularly highlights the continuing importance of occupational safety and health enforcement in the construction industry,’ DOLE-NCR said in its report.
The 118 establishments and projects initially found non-compliant will undergo corrective measures through formal examination by an authorized labor inspector.
DOLE-NCR said compliance cannot be treated as a ‘one-time’ accomplishment because construction activities, working conditions, equipment, work locations and hazards may change as projects progress.
The joint monitoring and inspection activities were conducted with the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Public Works and Highways.
DOLE-NCR reminded employers and contractors to establish occupational safety and health systems, including construction safety and health programs, designation of OSH personnel and provision of personal protective equipment.
Employers were also reminded to install safety signs, barricades and safe scaffolding and observe electrical safety, lockout/tagout procedures and safe lifting and crane operations.
Other requirements include emergency preparedness, first-aid and medical facilities, sanitary and welfare facilities, safe access and egress, and other site-specific hazard controls.
On general labor standards, DOLE-NCR reminded employers to provide applicable wages, including overtime, holiday and premium pay, as well as rest periods and statutory benefits.
Construction workers should also be covered by the Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG, while employers must maintain proper employment records and comply with other applicable employment conditions.
As a follow-through to the inspection, DOLE-NCR held a forum where construction workers were briefed on social protection programs and benefits from Pag-IBIG Fund, the Employees’ Compensation Commission, SSS and PhilHealth.