The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Labour, is concerned about an increase in workplace deaths, having seen 32 in 2024 primarily in the mining and construction sectors.
Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton made the disclosure on Tuesday at a press conference to discuss the work of the ministry over the past year.
Addressing heads of department and media representatives at the ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown office, Hamilton was disappointed that despite all of the measures being taken to avoid such deaths, an increase has still been reported for the year.
The minister suggested that more training is needed in the mining districts especially as persons often die not as a direct result of the accident, but because of how they are handled and cared for afterwards.
For 2024, 543 accident reports were received by the ministry and 176 were investigated. The majority of the non-fatal accidents continued to occur in the agricultural sector.
Even as the ministry reported a five percent decline in non-fatal accidents, the 32 workplace deaths represent a 60 percent increase in fatal accidents when compared to 2023.
According to the ministry, the fatal accidents were mainly due to unsafe systems or methods of work and unsafe conditions at work. Minister Hamilton clarified, though, that both employers and employees are to share the blame for such accidents.
Generally speaking, he said the issue of health and safety is not just restricted to the work place. Explosions of gas bottles in people’s homes, he said, is 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,” Minister Hamilton expressed.
The joint responsibility system for safety and health at work was promoted in workplaces for the establishment of the joint workplace safety and health committees, and training was provided in a number of instances for members of these committees.
Meanwhile, 33 complaints in relation to workplace injuries due to accidents on the job were received and investigated. These complaints sought compensation for the accidents and were referred to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
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