SBMA lifts CDO vs Hanjin

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The seven-day cease-and-desist-order issued against the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines for the death of another worker in its shipyard here was lifted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on July 18, two days before it expired.

The SBMA issued the clearance to Hanjin “as soon as the Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD) concluded its comprehensive inspection of the facility,” said lawyer Ramon Agregado, SBMA senior deputy administrator.

The CDO was issued July 14 in connection with the July 12 death of Benje Gamolo, a worker in the firm’s Assembly Shop C.

PHSD’s investigation found that Gamolo’s death was accidental. It said the accident occurred while a crew, which included Gamolo, was installing an eight-ton support beam as it was starting to rain.

Investigators said all the members in Gamolo’s crew had “extensive experience” and were wearing complete protective equipment.

Gamolo, the structural erector or rigger, was communicating with the crane operator using “international standard hand signals,” investigators said.

They noted that the crew members, who had been working for nine hours, “were trying to finish the installation before the weather worsened.” By Robert Gonzaga - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk