MANILA, Sep. 8 — The government will impose suspension of work to contractors who fail to observe safety requirements with no entitlement of time extension and payment on corresponding items and related works.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson through Department Order 125 directed all Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) field offices to strictly implement the requirements on road works safety, traffic management, and construction safety and health during project construction and maintenance works.
To minimize disruption and inconvenience to the citizens brought about by on-going public works projects, contractors found not observing good housekeeping in their construction sites must be held liable and concerned project engineers supervising these projects are equally accountable, said Singson.
DPWH implementing offices are tasked to monitor compliance to road works safety requirements such as the provision of warning signs and barricades, stockpiling of materials in proper places, removal from the project site of waste and excess materials including broken pavements and excavated debris.
To avoid accident in road projects, construction safety signages which are also visible at night and barricades shall be provided as a precaution and to advise the workers and the general public of the hazards existing in the work site.
Singson added that in the interest of ensuring the protection and welfare of workers employed in the construction industry and the protection and welfare of the general public within and around the immediate vicinity of any construction work site, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) guidelines (DOLE D.O. 13: Guidelines Governing Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry) on construction safety and health requirement shall also be strictly observed by construction firms and monitored by DPWH field units.
The guidelines require all construction workers while at work to wear basic personal protective equipment and devices namely reflectorized vest, safety footwear and hard hat. (DPWH)
