GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Jan 7, CMC – Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton Tuesday expressed concern at the increase in work related deaths, primarily in the mining and construction sectors in 2024.
Hamilton told a news conference that there had been a 60 per cent increase in labour deaths with a total of 32 being recorded and expressing disappointment that despite all of the measures being taken to avoid such deaths, an increase had still been reported in 2024.
“With all that we have done in 2024, 32 persons lost their lives in workplaces, primarily in mining and construction. That is where most of the deaths are happening,” Hamilton said, suggesting that more training is needed in the mining districts especially as the deaths are not only as a direct result of the accident, but because of how they are handled and cared for afterwards.
According to figures released here, last year, 543 accident reports were received by the ministry with 176 were investigated. The majority of the non-fatal accidents continued to occur in the agricultural sector.
The ministry reported a five per cent decline in non-fatal accidents and Hamilton said both employers and employees have been found to be culpable, explaining that some employees fail to adhere to basic Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) measures, including the wearing of protective gear. .
He said generally speaking, the issue of health and safety is not just restricted to the work place, noting that explosions of gas bottles at residences had now become a new thing that’s trending.
“For the period under review the Occupational Safety and Health Department continued its efforts to improve working conditions and the environment in Guyana with the emphasis on prevention rather than cure,” Hamilton told reporters.
In other cases, persons were found to have resorted to operating or raiding mining pits at nights, resulting in deaths and injuries and Hamilton said the Labour Ministry has been engaging in extensive training and sensitization exercises in workplaces across Guyana with the hope of changing the “don’t give a damn” kind of attitude and culture, particularly in the mining and construction sectors.
“If you go into the mining districts, it is not easy. We have done a lot of work, sensitization. We have gone in there with flyers; we have spent days with them. Officers have gone in the camps, stayed in the camps, have a conversation with them, speak to them about mining practices.
“We have a joint technical committee with GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Commission), with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association but I don’t think any country as yet worked out how do you deal with [this]. Medium miners, big miners are not your issue, the issue in all jurisdiction is the small miners,” he added.
But he told reporters that the Labour Ministry will continue to work with key stakeholders to bring down the number of workplace deaths and injuries.
The Labour Ministry also intends to launch a media campaign to bring about greater awareness on Occupation Health and Safety (OHS) measures to be adopted, and best practices in mining and construction among other sectors including agriculture.
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