OSH agency investigating deaths of two workers

NFM employee Mc Allister Charles, 46, died on June 11 at St Clair Medical Centre after falling from a metal staircase on June 8. Gary Mohammed, 32, died a week after an ammonia gas cylinder exploded while he was at work on May 31.

Responding to questions in the Senate yesterday, Baptiste-Primus said the OSH agency told her the two deaths were being investigated.

The agency, she said, has been laying charges against companies for breaches of their OSH obligations.

“We are in the process of beefing up staff at the OSH agency because their role is so vital to the maintenance of the health and safety of workers,” Baptiste-Primus said.

On the Massy Gas Products issue she said, on June 9 an agency investigator visited the compound in Savonetta, Couva where the explosion took place and also interviewed the management.

Expressing government’s condolences to Mohammed’s family, she said she could not say when the agency’s report would be submitted.

On the death at the NFM, she said, “I am informed that the area where the incident occurred was inspected and found to be fully compliant according to the law.” The metal staircase from which Charles fell was inspected on Monday, she said, and the agency was inspecting the entire compound.