Govt to reinforce conducting risk assessments on job sites in light of increased workplace deaths

In light of recent workplace deaths and electrocutions, the government through the Labour Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department will reinforce the need to conduct risk assessments on job sites before operations commence.
This was according to a Consultant of the Labour Ministry’s OSH Department, Gweneth King at the launch of a nationwide sensitisation programme in collaboration with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

“One of the things that they need to do is when they have these jobs, they need to conduct a risk assessment before they begin. That risk assessment is very, very important. And they need to create that awareness and sensitise the workers about safety and health in the workplace. They need to do that, and they need to ensure that they wear the respective or the required protective wear,” the OSH consultant added.
However, the safety sensitisation programme aims to address the growing disregard for safety protocols, especially when it comes to electrical matters.
It also seeks to enhance workers’ understanding of good safety and health practices in the workplace, to prevent electrical injuries or worse, deaths. The initiative will tackle hot spots in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

King stated that the move answers a direct call issued to the ministry by GPL, which has expressed its concern about the pressing issue.
“Anything that has to do with any accident that has to do with electricity generation, we collaborate with GPL. And what we have, um, what we should be bringing out shortly is a seminar for contractors or for the construction industry… Just to sensitise them about not only electrical hazards but generally hazards associated with the construction sector’s commitment or their involvement in making efforts to reduce accidents.”

Recent deaths
Guyana has recorded at least three workplace fatalities thus far for 2024, which are of electrical origin. One recent case that occurred on July 16, at Lot 37 Section ‘C’ Land of Canaan claimed the life of a 28-year-old construction worker, Christopher Paul Fernandes.
Senior OSH Officer, Darwin Bourne, is leading the preliminary investigation to ascertain the causes of the accident and make recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Another incident at Windsor Estate East Bank Demerara claimed the life of a Truck Driver, Maniram Navindralall of Lot 59 Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
According to reports, Navindralall was hired to pick up and deliver four crates of concrete blocks in Windsor Estate at a private property, whilst offloading the blocks, the vehicle came into contact with a 13, 800 volts primary network, resulting in him being electrocuted.
King told this publication that the investigations into these cases are still ongoing.
“The investigation is not completed as yet, because it’s not only going to the site and getting information, but we have got to have statements from witnesses and all of that, who may not be available at the time that we visit,” she said.