AN investigation has been launched by the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Department into a fatal accident that occurred on Saturday at the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase construction site.
The dead man has been identified as 36-year-old Health and Safety Helper, Rusbel Jesus Rengel Azocar of San Felix, Venezuela. He was employed by subcontractor, Gas Total Solution Inc.
The company in a terse statement did not identify the deceased. His identity was subsequently made known by the Ministry of Labour and the police, who issued separate statements.
The company for its part said that the industrial accident occurred around 18:40hrs. According to its statement, it claimed the life of a foreign national working with a subcontractor on site. The company said that the police and immediate family were informed and an investigation has been launched and work at the facility was suspended
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour in its statement noted that according to initial reports from the company, Azocar was engaged in the task of placing a barrier around a hole with water on the southern half of the site’s quay wall and during the process he fell into the hole.
Those present alleged that the worker was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his fall despite a directive to wear same on the quay wall to prevent drowning.
As a result, the quay wall demolition works have been suspended.
According to the statement, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has expressed growing concern about injuries and accidents which occur on job sites. While acknowledging the distress it causes for the loved ones of the deceased, he extended sympathy to the affected families and colleagues.
Further, the police said that it too has launched an investigation into the matter and in their statement to the press, noted that Azocar was at the time placing cones and danger tape around a hole as a signal to warn others of the hazard when he fell in.
The release indicated that the hole had water several feet in depth and Azocar who was found in the hole facing head down, presumably drowned.
Witnesses activated the emergency response but unfortunately, Azocar could not be rescued in time by emergency response colleagues.
His body was then taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Azocar’s body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem to determine the cause of death, the police said.
