The Ministry of Labour (MoL) last week stated that the probe still continues into the “catastrophic” boiler explosion that injured three young men on March 14 at Hack Rice Mill, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, Region Five.
This is according to MoL Public Relations Officer, Neola Damon, who advised that there is yet no conclusion. “There is no conclusion as yet and the investigation is ongoing at the moment in the matter.”
Sukra Harrygobin, 25, of Bath Settlement whose ankle had been amputated, yesterday related to the Stabroek News that he not working at the moment because although he is feeling all right now, his foot will take a longer time to heal. Regarding compensation received for his condition, he said that he has not approached his boss yet for compensation, but will reach out at the appropriate time. He is just focusing on feeling better at the moment.
Meanwhile, Liloutie Ramlochan, mother of Anthony Ramlochan called ‘Bobby’, a 20-year-old of Bush Lot Village, who sustained serious burns to his body, told the Stabroek News that since her son was discharged from hospital, he is feeling much better but he is no longer working at the rice mill. Instead, he is a trainee at a welding shop in the area. She explained that her son has decided to change jobs and work in a less dangerous environment. She disclosed that the owner of the mill had compensated her son well and for that she is thankful.
The Ministry of Labour on March 20 said that it was continuing its probe into the “catastrophic” boiler explosion that gravely injured three young men on March 14 at Hack Rice Mill, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, Region Five.
In the statement, the ministry said that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officer, Neza King, and Regional OSH Officer, Babita Singh, visited the site on March 20, accompanied by Steam Boiler Examiner of Yhann Engineering, Mark Yhann, to interview the mill owner and examine the site of the explosion.
Statements were taken from the owner, and interviews were conducted with the victims.
According to the police, the incident which occurred at around 3.30 pm on March 14, seriously injured Sukra Harrygobin, 25, of Bath Settlement, whose ankle had to be amputated. Also injured was Farad Uddin, 19, an operator of Blairmont, West Bank Berbice.
The mill is operated by Fiaz Abdool Hack, 47, a businessman of Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara.
According to Harrygobin, he was operating a rice boiler in the company of Uddin and Ramlochan, when he heard a loud explosion. He said he started to feel pain about his left foot and about his body which caused him to shout for help. Several workers ran to his rescue and took him to the Fort Wellington hospital along with Uddin and Ramlochan. It was then it was discovered that Harrygobin’s left foot was partially severed.
Ramlochan suffered burns to more than 52 per cent of his body, while Uddin suffered lacerations to his right leg.
