Work to resume at Customs Building

Senior officials at the Factories Inspectorate told Newsday yesterday that they have given clearance for work to resume on a limited scale at the Customs and Excise building. They explained that this work will be interior work and no clearance has been given as yet for the resumption of any kind of exterior work (especially activities which involve the use of scaffolding). The official added that the scene of the July 12 accident remains off-limits to all personnel on the site.

Asked about the Inspectorate’s investigations into the accident, the officials said its report is almost complete and would soon be sent to Labour Minister Danny Montano. Sources yesterday said all that remains to be done is for the Inspectorate’s technical people to review the results of tests done by the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (Cariri) before sending the report to Montano.

Sources added that all of the injured workers, including Floyd Simmons (whose left leg was amputated due to injuries he sustained in the accident) have been interviewed by the Factories Inspectorate as part of their investigations into the accident.

Sources also said the Factories Inspectorate is not empowered by law to handle compensation matters for injured workers and those workers could seek legal redress in such instances.

NH International Caribbean (NHIC) chairman Emile Elias yesterday said he had been overseas on business and was not fully up to speed about what, if anything, had happened at the Customs building site during his absence.