Investigations into Gafoors’ deadly accident to wrap up soon

Two weeks after 30-year-old Cindy Jattan met her demise in a tragic accident at Gafoors’ Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD) facility, investigations into the incident were expected to be wrapped up soon.
The woman was killed on August 26, after a rack within the company’s window factory came crashing down on her. She succumbed to her injuries on the way to the Diamond hospital.
Two other employees, Omari Layne and Keith Anthony Burnette, were also injured in the accident. However, Guyana Times understands that the duo has since returned to work and are assisting with the probe.
Presently, two separate investigations are ongoing – one spearheaded by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and another being undertaken by the Labour Ministry’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Department.
Senior OHS Consultant attached to the Ministry, Gwenneth King told this publication that the probe should complete its investigations by September 23, after which, the findings would be presented to the relevant authorities.
“The report should be ready by next week, we know what has to be done, and you have to have that backup information, because if you don’t have the evidence to support what you plan to do, you would have a problem – this is in terms of safety and health,” she noted.
Regarding the Police probe, Divisional Commander Denise Griffith indicated that the investigation was still ongoing, however, she could not provide a timeline for its completion.
“This happened on a worksite, we will take statements and based on the statements submitted, and based on what we have been told. The Industrial Act will advise us how to move forward with respect to sanctions and penalties.”
It was reported that on the day in question, Jattan was sitting under the four-foot-high wooden rack, which was laden with hardware material, when it suddenly fell on her, causing her to receive injuries.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton had previously told the media that Gafoors Limited was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
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.
As it stands, the fines for breaches are somewhat meagre, he had opined.