Sewage workers employed by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will now have a few implemented mechanisms at their disposal to protect them from hazardous gases and other materials that can affect their health.
GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles
This is according to Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who told media operatives that monitors have being installed to detect gases that are present in these sewers, indicating if it’s safe or not to operate.
“We introduced new monitors for the workers going into the sewers, so as to be able to detect the type and concentration of gases that are present before workers are being sent into the sewers. This is a significant advance, but it’s important in terms of where we place workers’ health in the scheme of things within the company,” he said.
Van West-Charles indicated that the workers were engaged, and the decision was finalised after discussions were conducted to address a number of pertinent issues. Now they are able to monitor all combustive gases which may pose a threat.
“It’s (from) the dialogue that we have with the workers who have got to go into the sewers that we’re able to raise these issues; and resulting from meeting with the workers, we’re able to work very quickly to put in place the monitors,” Dr Van West Charles indicated.
Additionally, facilities will soon be constructed which would allow for them to take a shower and wash their clothes after finishing the job.
“I’m a bit disappointed that we haven’t been able to complete the baths as yet for the sewage workers. We’re hoping to complete it within the next quarter. It’s very critical for their own health, the health of the public, and the health of the families,” he said.
As it relates to the pump stations, a few departments of the utility company will be collaborating to create new equipment which can trap materials which obstruct the impellers.
“The Sanitation Department, they have been doing a lot of work in the systems as a whole at pump stations to ensure that the challenges which we have with respect to meeting all types of material are now ongoing with the Design Infrastructural Department, a new design to be able to trap all of the pieces of cloth and fibres and so forth, which tie up the impellers of the pumps,” GWI’s Managing Director said.
It was related that attention is also being placed on the treatment of sewage water. The replacement of the sewer network along the trench crossing at Lamaha is also on the company’s agenda.
