Investigation into fatal freak accident: Gafoors ordered to establish joint workplace safety and health committee among other recommendations

The Labour Ministry has recommended a series of interventions for the Gafoors Manufacturing Complex at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD) to act on following the completion of an investigation into the fatal freak accident back in August.

Delivery Clerk Cindy Jattan was employed at the facility when she was fatally injured after a storage rack collapsed on August 26. Two other employees also suffered injuries.
After the Ministry was called in to investigate, an examination was done of the accident site and employees were interviewed.
During the investigation, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton divulged that it was found that the design and capacity of the storage rack were unknown without any visible evidence of its capacity.
He added, “There was also no evidence to show that the strength and quality of the rack had been tested and if it was suitable enough to hold or carry the weight of the materials. Further, there was no record to show that inspections or maintenance of the rack was done at any time.”
Moreover, the workplace did not have a joint workplace safety and health committee functioning or any record to verify the existence of such. No safety or health talks were held with employees before or during work hours, Hamilton added.
In keeping with the findings of the investigation, a number of recommendations were made. These included that the capacity of the storage rack be noted in a conspicuous location; the capacity should not be exceeded and all racks must have front-to-rear support.
The Ministry mandated that the strength of these racks be tested to determine if they were suitable to hold the weight of the materials stored.
“Records are to be made available to show inspections or maintenance of the racks by a qualified and competent engineer, who must verify the structural integrity…A rack inspection maintenance programme must be implemented throughout the facilities,” the Minister shared.
Along with the implementation of correct storage guidelines, the company was asked to establish a functioning joint workplace safety and health committee with records to verify its existence.
“A copy of the report has been sent to Gafsons Industries Limited and a timeframe was given for the company to comply with the recommendations that were made. In this regard, the OSH [Occupational Safety and Health] Department will be following up with the company to ensure that there is compliance with the recommendations which were made,” it was revealed.
Guyana Times understands that since the incident, the two injured employees have returned to work. Two separate investigations were carried out – one spearheaded by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the other by the Labour Ministry’s OSH Department.
Earlier this year, the complement of labour officers was increased to 28 for enhanced monitoring for compliance. The labour laws were also being revised by a joint legal committee.
After the revision of legislation for the labour sector, Minister Hamilton had contended that employers found in breach of the laws would be slapped with hefty fines for failure to meet the country’s regulations for their employees.