See full statement from the Ministry of Labour:
๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ญ ๐๐จ. ๐, ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง.
The Ministry of Labourโs Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department is investigating the workplace fatality that occurred at Ms June Landing, Puruni River, Gold Mining District No. 4, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The incident occurred, around 15:30hrs on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 17-year-old Mr. Anthony Richard and three other workers were working in a mining pit owned by Ms. Lorine Alfred, when the land above them collapsed and fell into the pit where the workers were working.
The workers rushed out of the mining pit but Mr. Richard was trapped, so the workers called for the assistance from other nearby miners. A rescue operation was launched, and using land dredges, the motionless body of Mr. Richard was recovered at 20:30hrs.
Mr. Richardโs body was taken to the Puruni Health Post, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. His body was later examined, and several abrasions on his left leg were observed.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer, Mr. Naipaul Persaud visited the worksite where the accident occurred and began investigations in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) officials.
Following this, three nearby mining pit operations were issued a โCease Work and Removal Orderโ notice following a collaborative inspection to see whether proper mining practices were being followed.
The OSH department intends to conduct follow-up inspections within three weeks to ensure that employers comply with the recommendations provided to establish a safe and healthy working environment.
The Minister extends heartfelt sympathy to the grieving relatives, co-workers and friends of the deceased.
He also takes this opportunity to remind both employers and workers of the importance and need for good safety and health practices in the workplace so that similar incidents/accidents which can result in the loss of lives of loved ones can be avoided.
Investigations are ongoing.
