The Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Department of the Labour Ministry has initiated an inquiry into an accident that occurred on Thursday at a shore base facility at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The accident resulted in the tragic death of Shawn Anthony Joseph of Number 76 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (Upper Corentyne-Berbice).
Joseph’s body was discovered pinned under a heavy-duty machine at about 11:30h on Thursday. According to the Police, the operator was alone in the crane, equipped with a hammer to drive concrete piles, at the time of the accident.
His brothers, Devon DeSantos, a 43-year-old groundsman of Number 50 Village, Corentyne, and Nigel Bourne, a 34-year-old groundsman of the same village, along with other workers, were in close proximity to the accident site.
Investigations revealed that the crane toppled on the wharf, causing Joseph to jump out of the operating area. Unfortunately, he fell onto the wharf and was subsequently pinned under the crane. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who arrived at the scene pronounced the operator dead.
Mikhail Rodrigues, also known as “Guyanese Critic”, owner of the Tepui Group with which the now dead man was employed, stated that the operator was driving piles on the worksite when he encountered difficulties. Rodrigues informed that both the Police and the deceased’s family were promptly informed of the tragic accident.
He added that the Tepui Group is offering comprehensive support to the man’s family during this difficult time.
In a statement released on Friday, the Labour Ministry confirmed that Darwin Bourne, an Occupational Safety and Health Officer, is conducting the investigation. The report stated, “The investigation has so far revealed that Mr Shawn Joseph, who hails from Corentyne, Berbice, was employed as a crane operator and was fatally injured when the crane he was operating at the worksite toppled over, causing his demise.”
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton expressed his concern about workers being injured on the job, emphasising that every worker returning home safely after work is paramount to their families.
