Gov’t investigating recent aircraft, other accidents

The Ministry of Social Protection’s Occupational Safety and Health (OS&H) Department is actively investigating the two recent aircraft accidents which claimed the life of a pilot and left another pilot and a Policeman injured.

On Monday last, a single-engine aircraft crash landed at Nismes on the West Bank of Demerara, injuring Pilot Lincoln Gomes and Police Officer Michael Grimmond. On Thursday, another aircraft crash landed at Eteringbang in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni Region and exploded, leaving the pilot, Randy Liverpool, dead.

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry said it is also investigating the death of 54-year-old Andre Park of Linden, who died after he was reportedly crushed by a log which fell from a machine and 17-year-old Romeo Ruben who died in a mining pit accident. Both incidents occurred on February 20.

OS&H Officer, Dwain Vyfhuis, and Senior OSH Officers, RoydonCroal, Neville Nicholas and Maxean Bess from the OS&H department are currently investigating the four cases, the Ministry said.

The officers have so far written to various police stations, hospitals and the Forestry Department requesting information on the incidents while interviews were also done with witnesses.

On completion of the investigations, recommendations will be made to prevent re-occurrence, the Ministry noted.

The Department reminded that employers are responsible for issuing a written notice to the Ministry in the case of any industrial accident which causes loss of life or disables a worker for more than a year from earning full wages at the place of his employment.

The OS&H Department is charged with the responsibility of monitoring, encouraging and enforcing the practice of good safety and health standards.