Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Southern Leyte contractors asked to comply occupational safety, health standards


MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 27 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways – Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) has reminded contractors to improve their housekeeping in compliance with the government’s occupational safety standards.

In a recent coordination meeting with contractors, District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia has explained new policies designed to fast track securing approval of Construction Safety and Health Program (CSHP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Failure to comply with the guidelines governing Occupational Safety and Health in the Construction Industry are one of the concerns why some contractors could not immediately kick off civil works of some projects in the province.

“This is one of the bottlenecks because contractors have a hard time complying with the standards, but we are happy that many contractors in Southern Leyte have been managed to observe the policy,” Junia said.

On November 2015, the DPWH and DOLE have signed a memorandum of agreement which improves the process cycle time on the approval of the CSHP, a requirement to ensure the safety and health of construction workers.

CSHP refers to a set of detailed rules covering the processes and practices that should be utilized in a specific construction site in conformity with occupational safety and health standards, including the personnel responsible and the penalties for rule violations.

The agreement outlines the responsibilities of the DOLE and the DPWH on the approval of CSHP.
Under the deal, CSHP applications initially approved by the DPWH shall be considered as approved if it was not acted upon on the sixth day following the prescribed process cycle time of five working days from the date of submission of the complete documents.

The DOLE is bound to provide the DPWH a checklist of requirements for CSHP applications in compliance with DOLE Department Order No.13 issued in 1998. (PNA)
ZST/SQM/DPWH-PR

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