An excavator operator was on Sunday pinned to death while working at a sandpit being operated by the Guyana Shield Resources Incorporated at Dora, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Dead is Lennox McPherson of Cinderella City, Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). While no details about the accident have been released, Guyana Times understands that the bucket of an excavator pinned McPherson against the track of another excavator outside the sandpit at Dora.
A worker at the scene of the accident
An investigation has been launched by the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department of the Labour Ministry. This investigation is spearheaded by Darwin Bourne, who has already visited the accident site for an inspection, and to meet Hilbert Shields, chief executive of the sandpit operation, and other staff members.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton continues to express concerns about workplace accidents, and is encouraging both employers and workers to employ good workplace safety and health practices on the job. Further, he extends his condolences to the bereaved family and friends of the deceased.
In 2023, the Labour Ministry recorded a total of 20 workplace deaths, owing to accidents in the mining, construction, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Of the 20 deaths recorded, nine occurred in the mining sector in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) while six were recorded in the construction sector.
The Ministry also recorded 175 non-fatal accidents that were investigated out of the 577 reports received. Most of these reports emanated from the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Additionally, 950 inspections were conducted at workplaces across the 10 administrative regions, and directly impacted over 8000 workers. In instances where breaches of the Occupational Safety and Health Act were identified, the Labour Ministry offered written and verbal advice.
In 2020, there were 32 workplace deaths; in 2021, that number decreased to 27; and in 2022, there were 21 deaths.
