GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC—Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton expressed concern on Tuesday on the enhance in work-related deaths, primarily within the mining and building sectors, in 2024.
Hamilton advised a information convention that there had been a 60 p.c enhance in labor deaths, with a complete of 32 being recorded, and expressed disappointment that regardless of all the measures being taken to keep away from such deaths, a rise had nonetheless been reported in 2024.
“With all that now we have executed in 2024, 32 individuals misplaced their lives in workplaces, primarily in mining and building. That’s the place many of the deaths are taking place,” Hamilton stated, suggesting that extra coaching is required within the mining districts, particularly because the deaths will not be solely a direct results of the accident however due to how they’re dealt with and cared for afterward.
In keeping with figures launched right here, final yr, the ministry obtained 543 accident studies, of which 176 had been investigated. Nearly all of the non-fatal accidents continued to happen within the agricultural sector.
The ministry reported a 5 p.c decline in non-fatal accidents. Hamilton stated each employers and staff had been discovered to be culpable, explaining that some staff fail to stick to important Occupational Well being and Security (OHS) measures, together with sporting protecting gear.
He stated that well being and issues of safety will not be restricted to the office, noting that the explosion of gasoline bottles in residences has now turn into a brand new pattern.
“For the interval beneath evaluation, the Occupational Security and Well being Division continued its efforts to enhance working circumstances and the atmosphere in Guyana, emphasizing prevention relatively than remedy,” Hamilton advised reporters.
In different instances, individuals had been discovered to have resorted to working or raiding mining pits at night time, leading to deaths and accidents. Hamilton stated the Labour Ministry has been partaking in intensive coaching and sensitization workout routines in workplaces throughout Guyana with the hope of adjusting the “don’t give a rattling” sort of perspective and tradition, notably within the mining and building sectors.
“For those who go into the mining districts, it isn’t straightforward. We’ve executed a variety of work and sensitization. We’ve gone in there with flyers and spent days with them. Officers have gone to the camps, stayed there, had conversations with them, and spoken to them about mining practices.
“We’ve a joint technical committee with GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Fee) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Affiliation, however I don’t assume any nation has labored out the way you cope with [this]. Medium miners, huge miners will not be your subject; the difficulty in all jurisdictions is the small miners,” he added.
Nevertheless, he advised reporters that the Labour Ministry would proceed to work with key stakeholders to cut back the variety of office deaths and accidents.
The Labour Ministry additionally intends to launch a media marketing campaign to boost consciousness of Occupational Well being and Security (OHS) measures to be adopted and finest practices in mining and building, amongst different sectors, together with agriculture.
