THE Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Department has launched an investigation into a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a 28-year-old labourer on September 20, 2024, in Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara.
The deceased has been identified as Jermaine Hercules, a resident of Lot 4 Airy Hall, Mahaicony. He was employed by a contractor engaged in roof repairs at the A. Cayume Hakh & Sons Rice Millers & Exporters when the accident occurred. Reports indicate that Hercules was repairing leaking zinc sheets on the roof of the rice mill when he fell approximately 30 feet to the ground.

Emergency services transported Hercules to the Mahaicony Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In response to the incident, Johana Vaughn, the Occupational Safety and Health Officer responsible for East Coast Demerara, conducted a preliminary investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident and to develop recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton expressed his concern regarding workplace safety, emphasising that families expect their loved ones to return home safely after a day’s work. He acknowledged the traumatic impact such accidents have on the victims’ families, stating, “It has to be traumatic for the family when a situation like this occurs.”

The Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving relatives, friends, and colleagues of Jermaine Hercules.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing as the Ministry seeks to ensure a safer working environment for all workers in the country.