According to Dr. Solomon Jacalne, head of the SBMA public health and safety department, the Subic agency has suspended the operation of the erring sub-contractor while it coordinates corrective measures with HHIC management.
The name of the sub-contractor has been withheld pending the release of official results of the investigation into the mishap.
Initial investigation report submitted to Jacalne indicated that the incident happened last May 12, at about 3:30 p.m. on board a project vessel of the sub-contractor inside the HHIC shipyard.
Nine workers were reportedly assigned to do some work atop a scaffolding on the side of a vessel, but because of the intense heat of the sun, all nine workers sheltered under a canvas canopy.
However, one of the bolts in the scaffolding snapped, causing the platform to tip down.
Five of the workers were able to hold tight onto the platform and were later rescued. However, four others fell into the ground and sustained severe injuries.
The injured were identified as Ferdinand Leuterio, 38, a native of Leyte; Johnny Alegre, 39, from Quezon City; Gerry Bayuta, 34, of Tarlac; and Valian Dela Cruz, 39, of Zambales, all temporary residing in Castillejos, Zambales.
They were brought to Bay Point Hospital in the Subic Bay Freeport for further medical treatment. However, Leuterio’s condition began deteriorating. He was later pronounced dead at around 9:00 a.m. on Monday.
Jacalne said he had ordered the sub-contractor to stop operation until the company met with the SBMA occupational health and safety division and corrective measures were put in place.
“We have to look at possible negligence, on why the accident had happened,” Jacalne said. “We have to ensure that those mistakes were corrected and would not happen again.”
Jacalne said the company had informed the SBMA that it voluntarily applied corrective actions to prevent secondary accidents, and sought close coordination with the workers’ families to give necessary assistance.
