Hanjin vows to prevent further accidents

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The management of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp. on Saturday assured authorities here that it would implement proper safety measures in its Re­dondo shipyard after two workers died in an accident at a worksite.

Calling the accident on Friday a "terrible tragedy", HHIC-Phils. President Jeong Sup Shim said in a letter to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator/chief executive officer Armand Arreza that the company will improve its safety program to prevent further occurrence of similar accidents.

"The management of HHIC-Phil deeply regrets the unfortunate incident that happened at its shipyard at Redondo, which led to two casualties and to the injury of four other workers," said Shim.

"We sincerely condole with the families and relatives of victims of this tragedy and assure them all necessary assistance," he said.

Arreza on Friday ordered a full-scale investigation into the safety program at the Hanjin shipbuilding site following the incident.

He said a full-scale probe is necessary to determine whether Hanjin, or its project sub-contractors, had been remiss in the implementation of safety measures at the worksite.

Shim told Arreza in his letter that the company will give its full cooperation in improving HHIC-Phil’s safety program.

"Our company commits to implement proper measures that may be needed to further enhance the safety and occupational security of our workers, and to prevent the occurrences of similar incidents such as this terrible tragedy," Shim said.

By BEBOT SISON JR. - The Philippine Star