Pritipaul Singh Investments says that it remains committed to the deployment of the “highest level” of Occupational Health & Safety standards in its operations and assures that the adoption of such high standards in the industry is a “key” feature of its continued operations, a release from the company stated on Monday.
It was referring to an incident on March 13 when an employee was crushed by a telehoist at the company’s place of operations which resulted in his hospitalization and subsequent death.
According to the release, Pritipaul Singh Investments, immediately launched an investigation while at the same time notifying the relevant authorities including the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Labour. It added that it intends to proceed with its own investigation “while supporting all investigations commenced by the duly authorised investigative bodies. Yesterday’s statement by the company was its first word on the accident.
The company stated that it is with “profound sadness” that it mourns the loss of a “committed and dedicated employee” and offers its “deepest sympathies and condolences” to the family. It assured that it is “supporting and will continue to support” the family of its deceased team member.
On March 13, Ravichandra Seemangal, a 46-year-old mechanic of 104 Farms Squatting area, was riding his bicycle in the compound of Pritipaul Singh Investments, located at Wharf Area, Providence, East Bank Demerara, when a telehoist operator who was reversing the machine collided with him.
Seemangal sustained serious injuries including a punctured lung, damaged spleen, fractured pelvis, punctured bladder, and ruptured intestines. He succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at Woodlands Hospital on March 16.
According to a Ministry of Labour release, its Occupational Safety and Health Department is currently investigating the fatal industrial accident. The investigators are Senior Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Darwin Bourne; and Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Ray Hosannah.
