Govt. appoints team to probe BOSAI tragedy

Mar 21, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – One week after a staff of the Chinese-owned, BOSAI Minerals died when the bulldozer he was operating collapsed in a mining pit at the company’s Linden operation, the Ministry of Labour has announced a formal investigation into the tragedy and also appointed a team to oversee the probe.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton meeting with members of the probe team

The deceased, Neptrid Hercules lived at Republic Avenue, Linden, Upper Demerara River. The persons appointed to serve on this formal investigation team are: Charles Ceres, Chairman, Ms. Emilia Maslen, Victor Fernandes, Jimmy Reece, Michael A Howard, Krishna Ramdas, Neza King, Darwin Bourne, Alyea Williams, and Colis Primo.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton met with the team Monday morning and briefed them on the terms of reference and the ministry’s expectation for the investigation. The formal investigation will commence on Monday, March 27th, 2023, and will last for six weeks. This action is in keeping with Section 72 (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06 Laws of Guyana. The Act gives the Minister the power to direct formal investigation into any accident arising out of and in the course of employment of any worker where he considers it expedient to so do. The persons appointed are referred to as “The court” and “shall hold the investigation in open court in such a manner and under such conditions as the court may think most effectual for ascertaining the causes and circumstances of the accident “.

A Department of Public Information press release said that competent persons have been appointed to serve on the investigating team whose main purpose will be “to determine the cause (s) of the accident and make recommendations for the prevention of accidents generally and more in particular the recurrence of similar accidents. Hercules went missing in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, March 11, 2023 along with the CAT D9T Dozer which he was operating at the time. This was as a result of a failure experienced by the Overburden Dump where he was working in the East Montgomery Mine which caused them to be covered by the overburden material. The body of Mr. Hercules was found several days later after an extensive and painful search.

The DPI said Minister Hamilton is deeply concerned about the matter and holds the view that this accident should never have happened and he owes it to the family, co-workers and the community to ensure that there are no recurrences.

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Bosai, Charles Ceres, Chinese-owned, minerals, Neptrid Hercules

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