A health and safety audit of the University of Guyana (UG) has found serious infrastructural deficiencies as well as infestations of rodents, bats and insects which currently pose risks to both the staff and students of the institution.
This was revealed to Stabroek News last week by head of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) Jewel Thomas.
Thomas explained that a document was prepared by the UGSSA, the University of Guyana Workers Union and the University of Guyana Students’ Society titled, “Rescuing the University of Guyana” that covered issues that needed attention as it relates to UG’s infrastructure and services.
However, the report did not amount to much and on May 23rd last year, they wrote to Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott. Shortly after, the ministry launched an audit into the university and the findings were submitted to UG’s administration and the unions.
“What the audit provided us [with] was the documentation essentially, the evidence from an outside authority about the areas that need to be addressed in accordance with the laws of Guyana. We have the documentation that says these are the areas that require attention and you need to address them,” Thomas said. She disclosed that the findings were not surprising since they work on the campus daily and said that the document can now be used as a basis for engaging with the administration on what should be done in the future and what needs to be put in place.
In terms of the significant findings that affect both the staff and students, Thomas said that the report pointed out that there are issues in terms of infestations of bats, rats, insect and even snakes around the campus.
She said that the bat infestation has plagued the university for a while, especially the library, and one time they had to close its doors for some time due to its severity.
“They had attempted to deal with it before and do works on the roof but it didn’t go as well. The first time it was not effective and the problem got worse,” Thomas recounted.
She said the report also found severe problems with the roofs of certain buildings where water would leak through because they have not been adequately maintained.
“The report also pointed out major issues with water on campus because of the drainage. Whenever rainfall occurs, certain parts are flooded and the water remains for a while which can cause serious problems. Some parts of campus have almost permanent pools of water and stagnant water can be dangerous,” she observed.
Thomas added that the report also found that there has been mold growing on the walls of certain buildings due to the constant leakage of water when it rains.
The UGSSA head said the report also pointed out that there is consistent low water pressure on the campus which causes problems in terms of the adequate use of the washrooms.
The report further found that there are inadequate protocols for handling, storing and disposing of chemicals on the campus. Chemicals are used by several of the university’s faculties.
“The school also don’t provide workers with the adequate equipment and this is one of the unions’ repeated issues because they are asking persons to do hazardous work and not providing the proper equipment,” Thomas said.
The report also found issues with how the Health Science Faculty dispose of their waste and also highlighted the “long-standing issues with the sewage system on campus.”
“The system is ancient and was designed for a time when there were about 200 people on campus. Right now it caters for over 7,000 students and over 500 staff. So when you have those numbers from the starting point, the system is just overwhelmed and cannot cope and we’ve known that for a long time,” Thomas said. She added that monies have been budgeted for the upgrading of the sewer system as sometimes sewage would seep into the drainage system.
The UG official further disclosed that the report highlighted the issue of fire hazards and she said that there is currently no programme of maintaining equipment nor proper storage of items.
“If we are to better safeguard ourselves, we need to do a far better job. The electrical wiring is poor, old and dangling all over in some parts. There are poorly maintained electrical boxes and we also tend to store things in close proximity to things they shouldn’t be stored next to,” she said, quoting the report.
Thomas highlighted that those were the major findings of the report which they received on March 26th this year. They are hoping that the university’s administration takes certain steps including the resuscitation of the Health and Safety Committee, she said.
The unions had hoped to meet and discuss the report but have been unable to do so. However, when the opportunity arises, they will meet then and discuss what has to be done as it pertains to the findings of the report, Thomas said.
