Latest update September 15th, 2026 10:20 AM
Labour Ministry probes electrocution at Houston construction site
(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has launched an investigation into the construction site accident that occurred on Tuesday at Houston, which resulted in the death of a Cuban national and injuries to two others.
Dead is 36-year-old Cuban national, Yordan Garcia Roland. The injured men have been identified as Cuban nationals: Troy Estriado, 33, and Yusvani Ramirez, 37.
“Occupational Safety and Health Officers visited the worksite shortly after the incident to conduct preliminary investigations. The officers also visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where the injured workers were treated,” the ministry said in a press release.
The building where the fatal work-place incident took place.
The ministry’s investigation remains ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether all required occupational safety and health measures were observed.
“As the investigation continues, the Ministry remains committed to its broader efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health standards and promote safer workplaces across Guyana. These efforts are being further reinforced through the ongoing “Putting Safety First” campaign and its targeted awareness initiatives, including the “Putting Safety First in the Construction Sector” seminar series, which engages employers, contractors and workers on safe work practices, compliance with occupational safety and health requirements, and the prevention of workplace accidents. Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, urges employers, contractors and workers to prioritise workplace safety and take every necessary precaution to prevent accidents and protect lives,” the statement read.
The three men, all construction workers, were reportedly carrying out work on a building for Toucan’d Distributors Limited when the scaffold came into contact with GPL’s 13.8-kilovolt (kV) primary distribution lines. It is unclear whether the men were employed directly by the distributing company or by a construction contractor. The accident reportedly occurred around 08:15hrs.
According to reports, the scaffold began rolling while the men were on it after its wheels allegedly were not locked in place. It subsequently came into contact with the live power line, resulting in the men sustaining severe electrical burns and being thrown from the scaffold. One of the men reportedly fell near the scaffold, which remained in contact with the power line, and was repeatedly subjected to electrical shocks, resulting in his death.
Cellphone videos recorded in the aftermath showed two of the injured men lying a short distance from the scaffold, while the deceased man remained near the structure as it continued to make contact with the live wire. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, GPL confirmed the incident, saying it “regrettably resulted in the death of one person and injuries to at least two others.”
The company extended condolences to the family and friends of the deceased before issuing a warning to contractors, workers and members of the public. “GPL strongly reminds contractors, workers and members of the public to exercise extreme caution when operating near the company’s electrical lines, poles and other network infrastructure. Appropriate safety measures must always be maintained to prevent similar tragedies,” the company said. Investigations into the accident are ongoing.
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Why are so many unqualified Cubans in Guyana? We must get skilled workers in Guyana from the English speaking Caricom. Perhaps they told the boss “Si” which is an answer for yes, no, I don’t know and whatever. Perhaps Rubio should take Cuba and develop it. The small and medium businesses are struggling and some are just downsizing and others are just closing because of lack of skilled workers.