Firm slapped with work stoppage order following deaths of 4 workers
By Liza Jocson
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment-Region 9 based here has issued a work stoppage order against the management of a fish carrier vessel following the deaths of four workers inside its fish hold last Thursday, June 1 1.
The order was issued following an inspection by occupational safety and health personnel who found the continued presence of an imminent danger situation inside the vessel compartment.
DOLE-9 Regional Director Albert Gutib said that the work stoppage order was issued to prevent further accidents and protect workers from possible harm.
Gutib met company owners to discuss the incident and asked them to submit necessary documents showing that the dangerous condition has been remedied for the order to be lifted.
Mayor Khymer Olaso ordered the City Health Office to conduct an investigation following his visit to the area last Thursday.
Four vessel crew members were found dead inside the fish hold of a vessel docked in a wharf of a canning factory on Thursday.
Initial investigation showed that the victims entered a confined section of the fish carrier vessel shortly after 7 a.m. and were found that same morning.
Authorities are looking into a possible lack of oxygen and a buildup of toxic gases as possible reasons for the deaths of the crew members.