A 60-year-old dredge owner died two Wednesdays ago as a result of land caving in at Cowing Backdam, Upper Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Dead is Bertram Willie of Wisrock Housing Scheme, Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Investigations revealed that around 12:45 hours on the day in question, Willie was operating his dredge at the worksite when a portion of land caved into the river.

This caused him to be knocked into the water. An alarm was raised, and nearby miners found the motionless Willie pinned underwater by a tree stump.

Using a nearby dredge, Willie was pulled from the water and then transported from the mining area to the Imbaimadai Health Post, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

He was subsequently flown to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where a post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to drowning.

The Labour Ministry is probing this latest workplace death.

The investigation is being conducted by Naipaul Persaud, Occupational Safety and Health Officer of the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with Sekou Walters, Senior Mining Engineer of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Importantly, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, continues to voice increasing worry about the occurrence of workplace injuries and accidents.

“He recognises the suffering experienced by the relatives and loved ones of those who have passed away, and, as such, extends sincere condolences to those affected, including their families, colleagues, and friends,” a statement from the ministry said.

The ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department is reminding [everyone] of the importance of following workplace health and safety regulations to reduce the risk of accidents.