OSHA says it is actively pursuing complaints

The complaint relates to the employees of the EXL 11 offshore rig, owned by Rowan Companies, who “downed tools” on March 30 after complaining that there was a series of accidents and incidents on the rig which caused damage to plant and injury to people over the past two months. Twenty- two workers, subcontracted by Lennox Petroleum to work on the rig, protested outside bpTT’s offices at Queen’s Park South in Port of Spain on April 3 complaining about their removal the previous weekend.

Labour relations officer for the OWTU Lindon Mendoza claimed the workers were “unceremoniously removed” through an order of the High Court after they ceased work under, what he said was, the established “stop work” policy.

OSHA said in a statement that after receiving the complaint, a safety and health inspector from the agency contacted the chief labour relations officer of the OWTU to verify the complaint and the next day (April 2) two inspectors flew to the rig by helicopter to begin the investigation.

The agency said its response to the OWTU’s complaint is consistent with its approved procedure for documenting, assigning and beginning investigations within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

In the statement, the agency said that between March 2016 and March 2017, OSHA has conducted more than 1,100 inspections; investigated more than 400 complaints and issued 69 enforcement notices which are being closely monitored.

The agency added that it has taken 50 cases to the Industrial Court within the last year and will soon hire eight more inspectors to improve the capacity of its inspectorate and enhance its mandate to improve safety and health in workplaces.