The Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Department, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service have launched an investigation into the explosion of rice mill boiler on Sunday at Number 49 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, which claimed the life of a worker.
Phillip Gangaprashad, 50, a father of three of Number 47 Village, Corentyne was working at the John and Jason Tulshi Industries Ltd, a rice mill, at Number 49 Village. He was said to be feeding the boiler with paddy waste when it exploded sometime around 07:00 hrs.
According to Mill Supervisor Junior Richardson, prior to the explosion they did not notice nor did they experience any technical difficulties with the boiler. He explained thatrice mill boilers are not easily damaged but many factors could contribute to an explosion. He said a possible explanation for Sunday’s explosion could be “speeding” of the boiler, but was quick to stress that the cause of the explosion is currently unknown.
Richardson recalled that on Sunday he was some distance away from the boiler when he heard the explosion. He said he ran over and saw Gangaprashad lying in a semiconscious state grunting with pain from his serious injuries. He was covered in blood, his leg nearly detached and he had also sustained burns. Other workers picked up Gangaprashad to take him for medical attention. However, he succumbed while being transported to the Skeldon Public Hospital.
His widow Basmattie Dass said the last time she saw and spoke to her husband was minutes before he left for work. He was working the 00:00 hrs to 08:00 hrs shift.
Moments after the accident her family was informed of the tragedy and rushed to the hospital, Dass said, but when they got there, they were given the heartbreaking news which has left them in a state of shock.
Gangaprashad’s death comes in the middle of the second crop harvesting season.
He leaves to mourn his wife, three children and other relatives and friends.
