DOLE orders inspection of firecracker factories
Commercial establishments manufacturing and selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics are now under tight watch.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has ordered the strict inspection of all commercial establishments engaged in manufacturing and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics nationwide to prevent deadly accidents.
Bello issued an advisory directing all Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional directors nationwide to closely monitor firecracker manufacturing firms under their jurisdiction for compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) “relative to the increase in the manufacture of pyrotechnics and firecrackers due to Christmas and New Year’s.”
Bello said inspectors should inform manufacturing firms if there is deficiency in compliance with safety standards.
All DOLE regional directors are required to submit the list of establishments monitored by Dec. 28.
Bello said DOLE shall provide assistance to enable establishments to make the necessary corrections if there are any violations in the occupational and safety health regulations.
However, DOLE will immediately conduct investigation against any establishment that will refuse to comply with the regulations.
“If there are refusal to comply with OSHS, inspectors are directed to conduct investigation,” Bello added.
DOLE has suspended labor inspection on all commercial establishments, except those engaged in manufacturing of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
DOLE has been strict in enforcing OSHS after a number of workers were killed following accidents in fireworks manufacturing firms.
In 2016, DOLE issued work stoppage order against all firecracker manufacturing firms until they have fully complied with OSHS.