…company reports 1000 days of no lost time injuries
Since the company started servicing oil major ExxonMobil and its operations offshore, the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI) has recorded 1000 days of no Lost Time Injuries (LTI) despite having a workforce of over 700, most of whom are Guyanese.
LTI refers to an injury sustained on the job by an employee, which results in the loss of productive work time. Lost time injuries encompass both temporary injuries that keep the employee away from work for a day as well as permanent disabilities and conditions that prevent the employee from ever returning to the job or performing their regular work tasks.
GYSBI revealed on Monday that they have recorded a milestone of zero Lost Time Injuries for the past 1000 days. According to GYSBI Deputy General Manager Rabin Chandarpal, this achievement is not by chance, but rather shows the commitment by the management and staff of the company to protect its staff.
“This is a remarkable achievement in any industry, anywhere in the world. Safety doesn’t happen by chance but through focus and an all-around commitment from our team and our clients. Our operations are a testament to investment in infrastructure, best-in-class fleet of equipment, and the necessary maintenance and expertise and management systems needed to upkeep them.”
“Our in-house and third-party training and certification programmes also allow us to harness the greatest of our resources, the staff of GYSBI. Every one of our staff comes to GYSBI under the umbrella of unwavering safety,” Chandarpal said.
Meanwhile, GYSBI’s Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (QHSSE) Manager, Andy Dowson, said that the oil and gas sector, with its high-paced environment, requires strict adherence to safety practices.
He also noted that when all elements are considered – including having a workforce of more than 700 workers, most of whom are Guyanese and new to the oil and gas sector, a 155-acre facility, and working thousands of hours – successfully managing all these components while avoiding LTI is a remarkable achievement.
“This incredible milestone could not have been achieved without the exceptional teamwork and attention to detail by our dedicated and committed staff. What really matters for us at the end of the day is that everybody goes home safe. We do not compromise on safety.”
“As a world-class shore base and logistics provider, safety governs every aspect of how we do business. I am very proud of our impressive achievement and extend my congratulations to our team,” Dowson said.
GYSBI is the largest shore base throughout the country, employing 705 persons; 95 per cent of whom are local Guyanese. Back in 2022, GYSBI recorded two first places and one second place at the Government of Guyana/Ministry of Labour 2022 Occupational Health and Safety Awards.
The company started with eight acres of yard, two berths, and one warehouse. The expansion has led to a current operation of 155 acres and eight warehouses and four berths. The shore base operations service six rigs and two FPSOs, and can now handle as many as eight vessels within a 24-hour period.
Only recently, the company commissioned its US$25 million Heavy Lift Berths with President Dr Irfaan Ali in attendance to do the honours. These berths present a combined frontage of 1400 linear feet of waterfront development.
The two new berths sit on the fully reclaimed area that was once part of a dry-docking facility. Over 20 companies and 200 employees were involved in the entire process since it was a new design for the country.
Despite its commencement in November 2019, there was a setback when a contracted employee lost his life, activating a revamp of safety practices. Weather, equipment challenges, and manpower constraints also proved challenging.
