Laborer Dies After Metal Pipe Falls at Construction Site
CEBU CITY – A tragic accident unfolded at a construction site in Barangay Zapatera early Tuesday morning, June 10, when a metal pipe fell on a laborer, leading to his death. The incident involved Julito Bacus Gerada Jr., 26, a resident of Barangay Biga, Toledo City, who was working on the site.
Gerada was among the workers assigned to plastering tasks on the eighth floor of two condominium towers being built in Zapatera. According to local authorities, a galvanized iron (GI) pipe fell from the 22nd floor and struck Gerada’s head. Despite wearing a hard hat, the impact cracked the helmet, proving fatal.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Emergency responders rushed Gerada to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, but he was declared dead on arrival. The Parian Police Station conducted an initial investigation, revealing that the pipe was part of a temporary safety structure installed to secure work areas on the upper floors.
City officials quickly acted on the incident. The Office of the Building Official (OBO) ordered a suspension of all construction activities at Towers B and D of the complex the following day, June 11. Architect Florante Catalan, the city’s Building Official, shared that their on-site inspection suggested the metal pipe likely fell during removal operations on the upper floors.
Safety Violations and Permit Issues Found
Catalan explained that the pipe’s fall from the 22nd floor generated enough force to crack the victim’s hard hat, with blood stains found on the helmet confirming the severity of the impact. The OBO team uncovered several safety violations during their inspection.
Among these were expired permits for critical mechanical equipment, including the site’s gondola and tower crane. Such permits are mandatory for installation and operation, and lacking them may lead to penalties. “There are two permits needed. Permit to install and permit to operate. If they don’t have that, the maximum penalty is P10,000,” Catalan noted.
The OBO has given the contractor and developer five working days to submit a detailed incident report. They must also propose safety improvements and provide justification if they want the suspension lifted.
This incident highlights the crucial need for strict safety protocols and valid permits in construction projects to protect workers from preventable accidents.
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