Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st district, Davao City) is pushing for the passage of a measure that aims to prevent jobsite accidents and ensure the health and safety of workers in the construction industry.
In filing House Bill 4594, Nograles underscored the need for a safety program that would address the increasing number of worksite incidents in the rapidly growing local construction industry.
“Numerous occupational hazards and risks continuously emerge in the workplace with the introduction of new technologies, materials, and substances,” Nograles said. "A high rate of worksite accidents may likely occur if no suitable measures or interventions are in place to prevent related accidents and injuries.”
Nograles, who is the vice president for internal affairs of the National Unity Party (NUP), said his measure aims to ensure that workers in construction projects are provided with the proper protective gear and adequate health and sanitary facilities on the job site.
Under HB 4594 or the Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry Act, every job site should have a construction safety and health committee, the composition of which shall be posted at the entrance of the construction site.
Every employee should also be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), free of charge for the eyes, face, hands and feet; lifeline, safety belt, harness and protective shields whenever necessary, the bill states.
Nograles said construction companies face a jail term of four to six years, a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000, cancellation of permit to operate for violating any provision of his proposed law.
He said that under his bill, employers are mandated to likewise provide a worker's welfare facility, which should have an adequate supply of safety drinking water, sanitary and washing facilities, suitable living accommodations, as may be applicable; and separate sanitary, washing and sleeping facilities for men and women workers, as may be applicable.
Under the measure, the construction safety and health committee shall be composed of the project manager, construction safety officer, construction safety officer representing each constructor, physician, nurse, certified first-aider, and dentist and workers representatives.
“The committee members shall always be present at the construction site and shall convene at regular intervals to effectively plan, develop, oversee, and monitor the implementation of the construction safety and health program,” the bill states.
The general constructor should also provide qualified occupational health personnel within the work site, complemented with the required medical supplies, equipment and facilities based on the total number of workers on site.
Construction safety signages and devices shall be posted in prominent positions at strategic locations, understandable to all to warn the workers and the public of hazards in the workplace, the Nograles bill states.