The DOLE Quezon Provincial Office Safety Engineers conducted an Occupational Safety and Health Investigation at the construction site of a 1.6MW Mini Hydro Electric Power Plant project located in Cagsiay II, Mauban, Quezon on January 22, 2021 which claimed the life of one worker.
Based on the report of DOLE Engineers Rudelyn G. Bautista and Donna Melany R. Abanilla, witness Jurlan Jabonita narrated that around 4:30 pm of January 21, 2021 seven construction workers decided to go home despite the heavy downpour of rain by crossing the spillway which at that time was over filled above waist line by the rushing waters of the river. Of the seven workers, three slipped down causing their fall straight to the river. The two workers managed to swim towards the river bank but the other worker, Rongine Santoalla, was not fortunate to swim away from the rushing river flow leading to his drowning and causing his untimely death.
Among the findings of the Safety Engineers during inspection were the non-presentation of the owner, Enervantage Suppliers Co., Inc., of their PCAB license to do construction works, absence of safety officer and health personnel at the project site and there was no installed safety device (life line) along the spillway where the workers usually cross when going in and out of work.
Submitted by:
EDWIN T. HERNANDEZ
Head, Quezon Provincial Office