aA paddy sweeper is now dead after he was crushed at the Arnold Sankar Rice Milling Complex at Airy Hall, Essequibo Coast, early Monday morning.
Ganesh Narine, 49, of Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was at the mill around 1am sweeping paddy when a metal door fell and pinned him to the floor.
According to a relative, who did not want to be named, she received a call from one of the man’s colleagues informing her of the accident. She said when she travelled to the mill, she saw a lot of blood by the metal door, which indicated to her that Narine might have died on the spot. She was, however, told by relatives of the owner of the mill that he died at the hospital after receiving an injection.
The last time Narine was seen alive by his relatives was when he left for work at 7pm on Sunday afternoon.
Narine’s family told Stabroek News that the mill has not discussed compensation but has opted to pay for groceries and to bear the funeral expenses.
The relative noted that the door that crushed Narine was defective and the employer allegedly did not know it was problematic since it was not in use.
Narine was the sole breadwinner for his wife as well as their seven children, who are under the age of 17.
Narine’s death comes during the observation of Occupational Health and Safety month. Another man, Garfield Souvenir, 25, of Good Intent, died on March 11th when a truck reversed and hit a grader that he was laying under at the time in the compound of Courtney Benn Contracting Services, on Water Street, Georgetown. That accident is still being investigated and a file was sent by police to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on how to proceed in the case.
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott, in an interview, told Stabroek News that investigations into the deaths of the two men will be carried out. He stated that all industrial accidents are investigated by his ministry to ensure the safety of workers, which is part of its mandate.
Scott also said labour officers have intensified work place inspections nationwide to ensure that labour laws are being followed by employers. He said even though persons were taken away from their loved ones by industrial accidents, the ministry will do everything in its power to help the families.
