The Ministry of Labour has launched an investigation into the death of Leroy Harris, who was electrocuted atop a building in Charlestown last week, after his family complained that his working environment was not up to Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) standards.
Harris, 25, was electrocuted after a flex pipe he was holding came into contact with an electric wire that ran in front of the building from a utility pole. At the time he was pouring liquid concrete on top of building, which is situated along Evans Street, Charlestown.
According to the Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle, an investigation has been launched.
His mother, Patricia Kirton, after receiving the post-mortem result, told this newspaper that her son died of electrical shock. She is still convinced that someone is hiding something and pointed out that her son wasn’t wearing any protective gear, which should have been provided to him while he was working.
She also related that Readymix Concrete Limited, where Harris was employed, has offered them assistance for the wake nights as well as the funeral.
“His workplace give us a cheque for $400,000 for the wake nights and the funeral, and they asked for his child mother to go with the baby so that they can maybe give her something,” Kirton added.
Owner of the building, Orin John, had previously told Stabroek News that he had informed the contractor that all items and materials should be passed at the side of the building instead of the front, which would obstruct the flow of vehicular traffic.
When asked if the wire being too close to the building should have been reported to the power company, John replied, “It’s only close because the forms (form boards) are on; that’s why it’s close. Soon as the forms comes off, it will be at its proper distance.”
He had also said that Harris had been shocked before on the same day and he had cautioned him. “He passed a pipe before and he said that he feel something go ‘grittt, grittt,’ and he said that he get shock but he said that the current wasn’t strong” John added. I am sorry that he lost his life but it was negligence…,” he had said.
