Labour Ministry launches probe into Mahaicony rice mill electrocution
The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry of Labour has launched an investigation into the death of two men who were electrocuted on Friday while building a metal shed at the Trans Rice Mill at Mahaicony Branch Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry noted that Occupational Safety and Health Officer Darwin Bourne, who is assigned to Region Five, has commenced the probe of the mishap, which claimed the lives of Shacquille Butts, 27, a labourer of Lot 4 Airy Hall, Mahaicony, ECD, and Gousham Narine, 25, a welder of Lot 78 Triple X Non-Pareil, ECD.
MTV News Update previously reported that the two men were building a metal shed on the eastern side of the rice mill and were standing on two separate 20-feet metal scaffolds.
An eyewitness recounted that Narine pulled a 20-feet metal, which connected to GPL’s power line, resulting in him being electrocuted.
Butts held onto Narine and was also shocked in the process. Both men fell to the ground and were picked up and rushed to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, where Narine was pronounced dead on arrival, and Butts died while receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton expressed deep concern about these workplace fatalities. He also expressed heartfelt sympathy to the grieving relatives, colleagues, and friends of the deceased.
“Further, investigations are continuing to determine the causes of the accident, and recommendations will also be made for the prevention of similar recurrences,” the Labour Ministry concluded.
