Mining pit fatal accident: Extractive sector must adhere to legal framework without being prompted – investigative team
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton on Wednesday received the investigation report from the team appointed to assess the fatal accident in March which claimed the life of Neptrid Hercules, former BOSAI Minerals Group employee.
According to the team’s chair, Charles Ceres, the report’s primary finding is that Guyana’s legislative framework to preclude structural failures within BOSAI and the mining industry overall is adequate, if implemented.
“Industrial establishments such as BOSAI must adhere to that framework without being prompted,” Ceres said.
“And the relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Labour can somewhat be proactive in the enforcement of that framework.”
During the handing over ceremony at the ministry’s boardroom, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton expressed the need to give the report’s recommendations “life.”
Failure to comply with these recommendations, he said, would be an injustice to the memory of the man who lost his life.
“This is the methodology we will have to adopt going forward,” Hamilton added. “We will have to set up a joint technical committee or to expand the one that is already in existence so that we can continue conversations with family, friends and coworkers.”
Members of the team leading investigations into the fatal accident involving BOSAI employee Neptrid Hercules
In March, Hercules went missing along with the CAT D9T bulldozer he was operating at the time with body being found several days later after an extensive search.
Reportedly, this was the result of a failure experienced by the overburden dump in the East Montgomery Mine where he was working which led to him being covered by the overburden material.
The 10-member team began their investigation into this case on March 27, submitting their findings about two weeks prior to the date set by the Labour Minister.
In addition to Ceres, this team also included Victor Fernandes from the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health; Colis Primo from the Environmental Protection Agency; independent professional Emilia Maslen; Jimmy Reece, Michael Howard and Krishna Ramdas of the Geology and Mines Commission; Neza King and Darwin Bourne of the Ministry’s Occupational Health and Safety Department and; Legal Officer of the Ministry Alyea Williams.
Bourne relayed that the detailed investigation involved both daytime and nighttime visits to the accident site, and verbal and written statements taken from witnesses and other necessary parties to ascertain what actually transpired.
They also looked into the culture of the organisation, what controls and systems employees are required to check, and the strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement in the workplace.
King added that this investigation can be used as a template for any related investigations that may occur in the future.
While the findings of the report are yet to be publicly revealed, a soft copy will be sent to BOSAI for review.
