The Makati City government on Tuesday advised all developers and contractors of ongoing constructions in the city to brace for typhoons and be prepared to implement all precautionary measures at the worksite.
“I am calling on all building owners, developers and contractors to ensure safety in their worksite at all times, especially during typhoons, to prevent any untoward incident that may put people’s lives in danger,” Mayor Abigail Binay said.
The city chief executive said paramount importance should be given to the safety of everyone, including construction workers, occupants of adjacent buildings, and passersby, who may be put at risk due to violations of the National Building Code.
“The management should always be on the lookout for bad weather and monitor the advisories of PAGASA. By being proactive in bracing for a typhoon or more severe weather conditions, you will not just save lives, but also save on costs,” she said.
Binay pointed out that a well-secured construction site will be less vulnerable to damage during a typhoon, and thus will not incur additional expenses for repair works.
In a recent memorandum, Office of the Building Official officer-in-charge Engr. Elmer Acuesta reminded developers and contractors of the provisions of the law mandating strict compliance with protection and safety requirements for construction and demolition projects.
Rule XI of the Revised IRR of the P.D. 1096 provides that whenever a typhoon is expected to pass at or near the construction site, all construction materials, equipment and scaffolds shall be secured against displacement by strong winds.
Likewise, construction sheds, temporary light and power, mechanical equipment, protective canopies and nets shall be adequately braced and fastened to prevent danger from sudden twist, spring or collapse.
It further provides that where a full complement of personnel is employed for such protection purposes, normal activity or uses of materials may continue, allowing such reasonable time as necessary to secure such materials or equipment before winds of gale force are anticipated, in accordance with warnings or advisories issued by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration.
Also, the sides of every excavation, including trenches of pipes, shall be checked regularly, especially during heavy rains to prevent the caving in of soil.
Moreover, existing footings or foundation of adjacent buildings, public utilities and underground facilities shall be underpinned, braced or shored adequately and protected from movement, to protect life and limbs, avoid damage to property and cause disruption of facilities and utilities.
City officials also reminded all construction supervisors, especially project and safety engineers to be responsible in supervising and monitoring precautionary measures in times of calamity and force majeure in their respective areas.
All concerned developers and contractors have been required to report any kind of accident causing death or serious injuries within the premises of the building under construction, repair or renovation, or any work-related activity on the job site, to the Makati Police and the OBO within eight working hours, pursuant to the City Ordinance 98-090.
For emergencies, the authorities may be contacted through Makati hotline 168 connecting to C3 Command Center at City Hall, or through the following contact numbers of the Makati police: 887-1798 or 0929-7936525.