INDUSTRIAL accidents-occur all too often, in a variety of workplace environments. Heavy equipment operators, machinery workers, factory employees, chemical/biological industry personnel and construction site workers are faced with a wide variety of dangers—and a heightened risk of work-related injuries. Industrial and construction workers regularly face potential scaffolding accidents, crane injuries, moving machine parts, hazardous chemicals, and unsafe working conditions. They have higher fatality rates than any other employees in any United States industry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the most recent “lost-workday” case rate for the construction industry was 5.7 per l00 full-time workers, the highest of the major economic sectors.
Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the past ten years 9605 people have died in construction-related accidents. In 1992 the number of construction deaths was an astounding 919. In 1992, more than half of the construction accident deaths (544) were attributed to males between the ages of 20-24.
Industrial accidents may result in severe personal injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, quadriplegia, paraplegia, fractured necks, back, bones and death. Industrial workers are also exposed to potential long term inflictions such as mesothelioma from asbestos exposure; and cancer from chemicals and silicosis.  
The International Labour Organisation, (ILO) has said that an estimated 337 million workplace accidents and 2.3 million deaths occur every year, making it 6,300 deaths per day, across the globe.
An ILO report stated: “Implementation of OSH management systems is critical in helping to reduce occupational accidents, diseases and deaths,” the report said.
In Guyana while industrial accidents are not widespread because our Labour Ministry has been working persistently to enforce OSH compliance there is still concern that they occur too frequently, and in several instances they have occurred because of negligence of employers with respect to adhering to prescribed safety and health regulations.
It has been unfortunate in recent times two workers have died from industrial accidents. One at Barama and only this week an Enmore Sugar worker died as a result of an explosion.
When these tragedies occur the pain and suffering are immeasurable because the families of the deceased suffer from trauma and loss of income which creates a cycle of socio-economic difficulties.
However, it is heartening to learn that in both cases the employers have been giving full support to the affected families, which of course they are obliged to do.
Nevertheless, it is imperative that all stakeholders to implement the requisite safety measures and more importantly the adherence to them by employers. Bearing in mind Guyana’s vast geographic landscape severe logistical challenges are being faced which makes it difficult for the Labour Ministry alone to police. Therefore it is necessary that employers and workers alike should also function as safety police.
We must not wait until a tragedy occurs before we examine the weaknesses in our OSH system, instead we should always adopt a proactive/preventative approach. Accidents are inevitable but it is our duty to ensure that their frequency and magnitude are kept to the minimal.