REINFORCING its commitment to upholding workplace safety and employee rights, the Ministry of Labour recently carried out a detailed inspection aboard the offshore drillship Stena Carron. The exercise is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to ensure high safety standards and full compliance within Guyana’s rapidly expanding Oil and Gas sector.

The inspection was led by Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer, Ms. Nazmoon Jafarally Prittipaul and Labour Officer, Mr. Ravi Persaud. They were welcomed onboard by Offshore Installation Manager, Mr. Kevin McDonald and his team of department heads, with support from Medic Mr. Frank McDonald and Safety Officer, Mr. Lee Petrie.

The key objective of the visit was to evaluate Stena Carron’s adherence to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Cap. 99:06, in addition to international safety protocols and national labour regulations.
The inspection team conducted a thorough review of the vessel’s Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) systems. This included assessments of emergency response protocols, staff training programmes, risk management practices, waste disposal mechanisms, and documentation procedures.

Importantly, the officers engaged directly with crew members to discuss a wide range of labour matters. These included the National Minimum Wage, overtime rules, workplace conditions, procedures for probation and termination, leave entitlements, and the functionality of the Ministry’s Labour Advice App—a digital tool designed to support both employers and workers with legal and regulatory guidance.

This direct engagement not only served to confirm compliance with national standards but also helped foster open communication between the Ministry and offshore personnel, reinforcing their legal rights and obligations.

The Ministry of Labour emphasised that the inspection forms a critical part of its strategy to elevate workplace standards across high-risk industries. It reaffirmed its dedication to ongoing collaboration with stakeholders in the Oil and Gas sector to promote safe, respectful, and legally compliant working environments.